Mental Health Multidisciplinary Services

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Funding of up to $3,097,000 per year per Primary Health Network (PHN) to support the needs of people with severe and/or complex mental health conditions.

What is the Mental Health Multidisciplinary Services?

The Mental Health Multidisciplinary Services Grant is a targeted Commonwealth initiative aimed at supporting Primary Health Networks (PHNs) to establish and deliver integrated, multidisciplinary mental health services within primary care settings. With over $71 million in funding available nationally from 2025 to 2028, this program is designed to meet the needs of people with severe and/or complex mental health conditions, particularly those facing barriers to accessing care.

Eligible PHNs will have the flexibility to design models of care tailored to their regional needs and may employ or commission mental health practitioners to deliver a range of clinical and non-clinical services. The program promotes culturally appropriate, trauma-informed, and patient-centred support, improving coordination between general practice, mental health, and community services to reduce hospitalisations and disengagement.

Mental Health Multidisciplinary Services level of support

  • Minimum amount of funding: $1,290,000 per year per PHN
  • Maximum amount of funding: $3,097,000 per year per PHN
  • Total pool available: $71.256 million over three years
  • No co-contribution is required

Funding is indexed annually and must be fully expended by 30 June 2028.

Mental Health Multidisciplinary Services important dates

  • Applications close: 2:00 pm (ACT local time), 7 July 2025
  • Earliest project start date: Late 2025
  • Project completion date: 30 June 2028
  • Register your interest with GrantHelper

Mental Health Multidisciplinary Services objectives

  • Improve access to multidisciplinary mental health support for individuals with severe and/or complex needs.
  • Provide continuity of care in general practice and ACCHO settings.
  • Employ mental health professionals to offer timely and holistic support.
  • Strengthen the integration between primary care and mental health services.
  • Deliver place-based, culturally safe, and trauma-informed care models.

Projects and expenditure eligible for Mental Health Multidisciplinary Services support

Eligible Activities:

  • Delivering multidisciplinary mental health services within PHN regions.
  • Stakeholder engagement, collaboration, and service integration.
  • Co-design with First Nations peoples, CALD and LGBTIQA+ communities.
  • Project governance, data collection, reporting, and evaluation.

Ineligible Expenditures:

  • Preparation of applications or unrelated administrative overheads.
  • Capital works, building upgrades, vehicles, office furniture or equipment.
  • ICT not directly related to project delivery.
  • Travel (domestic flights or overseas), or operational costs like rent or utilities.
  • Duplicate funding for activities already supported by other government programs.
  • Gifts, donations, or costs related to cyber ransom.

Other Mental Health Multidisciplinary Services important details that you will need to know

Only invited Primary Health Networks (PHNs) listed in the program guidelines may apply. Applications from PHN consortia are acceptable if a lead PHN is designated and solely accountable.

The full list of eligible organisations is included in the grant guidelines. All must have existing regional infrastructure and capacity to implement place-based services.

See the guidelines for full details of organisational requirements.

Criterion 1: Alignment with Program Objectives and Outcomes (50%)

Applicants must outline:

  • The model of care (e.g. hub-and-spoke, telehealth usage, types of services).
  • Staffing mix, qualifications, workforce supports, and employment structure.
  • Evidence of regional mental health needs and service gaps.
  • Target populations and expected uptake of services.
  • Cultural appropriateness and trauma-informed approach.
  • Evaluation tools and data collection methods (e.g. SOFAS, ReQoL, K10/K5+).
  • Stakeholder engagement and co-design with lived experience groups.

 

A detailed Activity Work Plan must accompany this section.

Criterion 2: Efficient and Ethical Use of Commonwealth Funds (50%)

Applicants must demonstrate:

  • How proposed expenditure delivers value-for-money.
  • A realistic and clear budget, broken down by commissioning, staffing, and operational costs.
  • Risk management strategies addressing workforce availability, equitable access, service delivery, and stakeholder management.
  • Consideration for hard-to-reach groups including First Nations, neurodiverse populations, and people with disability.

 

A complete Indicative Activity Budget and Risk Management Plan must be submitted.

Note: Only applications rated “Average” or above in both criteria will be considered for funding. Preference will be given to the highest scoring applications across states and territories.

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.
  • Deliver the project/s as outlined in the application.
  • Provide complete information requirements.

 

You must prepare and upload the following:

  1. Proof of entity type
  2. Bank verification document (must show BSB, Account Name and Number)
  3. Attachment Pack:
    • Activity Work Plan
    • Indicative Activity Budget
    • Risk Management Plan

 

Follow technical requirements:

  • Max 5 attachments
  • No special characters in file names
  • Do not use macros or password-protection

 

See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.

Applications must be lodged via the official GrantConnect portal.

Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.

Mental Health Multidisciplinary Services resources

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