NSW mental health system has $600 million funding shortfall, records reveal
NSW mental health services face a $550 to $600 million shortfall for clinical and support staff.
A parliamentary order for papers filed by the Greens found major gaps in NSW mental health services. There is a $550 to $600 million shortfall for doctors, nurses and other support staff.
Emergency departments across Hunter New England had 20,888 mental health visits in 2024-25. Many patients were sent home without getting help.
Kelly Kay's 20-year-old son died by suicide in 2023. This was five days after he left Taree Hospital's mental health unit.
Kay said the findings show a system that covers up its problems instead of fixing them. An internal NSW Health briefing to the Mental Health Minister noted that sharing information about the funding gap could create bad publicity.
The government says it is investing a record $3.3 billion in mental health services this year. That is a 20 per cent increase since it took office.
The government has hired 1,670 new community health workers.
- $550-600 million for staff
- Funding shortfall
- 20,888 in Hunter New England 2024-25
- Emergency visits
- 1,670 community health workers
- New workers hired
- $3.3 billion this year
- Government spending
Why it mattersMental health crises should be treated in hospitals. But patients are being turned away from emergency departments. Families say the system is broken by lack of care and cover-ups.
AustraliaNSW residents in mental health crisis face longer waits and fewer options, with gaps in both hospital beds and community support despite the government's record funding claims.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
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