Up to $79 million to support accessible digital mental health services for Australians, focusing on underserved populations and leveraging technology to provide timely, tailored support.
Current status of program
CLOSED
To register your interest in future rounds or discuss alternative grant opportunities please contact us here.
On this page you will find
What is the Competitive Digital Mental Health Program?
The Competitive Digital Mental Health Program is an initiative by the Department of Health and Aged Care aimed at expanding access to high-quality mental health services via digital and online platforms.
This program focuses on delivering services that are accessible to all Australians, particularly those in underserved or priority populations, by leveraging digital technology to provide mental health support at the right time and place for individuals’ needs.
This grant opportunity will be split into three activity streams:
- Activity 1: General education, prevention and early intervention, and self help
- Activity 2: Clinician-supported online treatment
- Activity 3: Priority population targeted services
Competitive Digital Mental Health Program level of support
The total funding available for this grant opportunity is $135.194 million over three years, covering the period from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2028. The funding will be distributed across three streams:
1.General Education, Prevention, and Early Intervention, and Self-help
- There is no minimum grant amount for this stream.
- Up to $4,056,000 over 3 years
2. Clinician-Supported Online Treatment
- There is no minimum grant amount for this stream.
- Up to $51,374,000 over 3 years
3. Priority Population Targeted Services
- There is no minimum grant amount for this stream.
- Up to $79,764,000 over 3 years
Co-contribution: There is no specific co-contribution requirement for this program. However, applicants are encouraged to demonstrate value for money and efficient use of funds in their proposals.
Competitive Digital Mental Health Program important dates
- This program is currently closed
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
Competitive Digital Mental Health Program objectives
The key objectives of the Competitive Digital Mental Health Program are to:
- Improve access to digital mental health services for people across Australia, including priority populations.
- Foster innovation by leveraging digital technology to provide evidence-based mental health support.
- Ensure services are co-designed with people who have lived experience, resulting in accessible and safe digital mental health services.
- Complement, but not duplicate, existing national services such as Lifeline and Beyond Blue.
Activities and expenditure eligible for Competitive Digital Mental Health Program support
Eligible activities include those that deliver digital mental health services such as:
- online support services (e.g. online forums, articles, and toolkits);
- helplines;
- digital counselling;
- mental health treatment services (including assessment, triage and referral services);
- peer-to-peer support services; and
- priority population targeted services.
It may also include:
- community engagement, co-design and consultation activities;
- data collection and analysis;
- research and design activities;
- community collaboration and communication;
- project management including governance and administrative activities relating to the grant; and
- specific workforce development, training strategies.
The grant money cannot be used for:
- purchase of land;
- paying ransom for ransomware, cyber-attack or any other type of cybercrime;
- major capital expenditure, major construction/capital works;
- the covering of retrospective costs;
- costs incurred in the preparation of a grant application or related documentation;
- subsidy of general ongoing administration or utilities of an organisation such as electricity, phone and rent (not directly related to grant activities);
- overseas travel;
- grant activities outside Australia;
- lobbying activities;
- activities with no demonstrable link to the evidence of current research into mental health treatment and support; and
- activities for which other Commonwealth, state, territory or local government bodies have primary responsibility.
Other Competitive Digital Mental Health Program important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Competitive Digital Mental Health Program support
To be eligible, organisations must:
- Have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
- Be registered for GST
- Be located in Australia
- Be an Indigenous Corporation, incorporated company, partnership, or registered charity
- Be accredited or working towards accreditation under the National Safety and Quality Digital Mental Health Standards
You are not eligible to apply if you are:
- an organisation, or your project partner is an organisation, included on the National Redress Scheme’s website on the list of ‘Institutions that have not joined or signified their intent to join the Scheme’;
- a person;
- an unincorporated association;
- an overseas resident/organisation; or
- a sole trader.
Competitive Digital Mental Health Program assessment criteria
Applications will be assessed based on the following criteria:
1. Alignment with Program Objectives and Outcomes (Weighting: 30% for Streams 1 and 2, 25% for Stream 3)
- Applicants must clearly demonstrate how their proposed activities contribute to the program objectives, address service gaps, and ensure the services align with evidence-based best practices.
2. Organisational Capability to Deliver the Grant Activities (Weighting: 30% for Streams 1 and 2, 25% for Stream 3)
- Applicants must show their experience in delivering digital mental health services, including infrastructure and collaboration with stakeholders.
3. Risk Management (Weighting: 15% for Streams 1 and 2, 10% for Stream 3)
- A comprehensive risk management plan is required, outlining identified risks and mitigation strategies.
4. Efficient, Effective, Economical, and Ethical Use of Funds (Weighting: 25% for Streams 1 and 2, 15% for Stream 3)
- Applicants must provide a detailed budget and explain how the proposed activities represent good value for money.
5. Services for Priority Population Groups (Applicable only for Stream 3, Weighting: 25%)
- For Stream 3, applicants must detail how they will provide culturally appropriate and tailored services to priority populations.
How do I get the Competitive Digital Mental Health Program?
Applicants must:
- Read and understand the guidelines.
- Ensure eligibility for the funding. Applicants that do not meet all the eligibility criteria will not be considered.
- Demonstrate a strong alignment with the fund’s objectives.
- Provide complete information requirements.
Information to prepare for the Competitive Digital Mental Health Program application
Applicants should prepare the following:
- Proof of entity type and bank verification
- A comprehensive Activity Work Plan, Indicative Budget, and Risk Management Plan
- Documentation demonstrating the evidence base or best practice approach for the proposed services
See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.
Applying for the Competitive Digital Mental Health Program
Applications must be submitted online via GovGPS.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Competitive Digital Mental Health Program resources
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