Wednesday, 29 October 2025

 Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (12:12): The mental health workforce is the backbone of our mental health system and is critical to the successful delivery of our mental health reforms. The Allan Labor government is committed to continuing to strengthen and grow this workforce. Last week I was pleased to announce that the latest round of the mental health and wellbeing workforce scholarship program is now open. Supporting workforce retention and career progression, this important program is available to registered nurses wanting to specialise in mental health as well as mental health nurses, allied health professionals, alcohol and other drugs practitioners and lived and living experience workers. Up to $13,000 in financial support is available to recipients for eligible postgraduate studies in allied health, AOD and lived and living experience courses. Nurses are eligible for full fee coverage of their postgraduate mental health nursing studies of up to $3000 towards postgraduate education.

A key initiative of the Victorian mental health and wellbeing workforce strategy, we have already supported more than 1700 workers through this program. Since the royal commission we have invested more than $600 million in workforce initiatives, helping Victoria’s public mental health workforce grow by 25 per cent in just three years. This is the largest dedicated investment in the mental health workforce in Victoria’s history. We are helping more Victorians gain the skills they need to deliver safe, high-quality care across Victoria’s mental health and AOD services, meaning more Victorians can get the care that they need close to home.

I just want to take a moment to acknowledge the highly skilled and dedicated workforce for their tireless work, day in and day out, to support Victorians when they need it most. The Allan Labor government will always back our mental health workforce with the support, training and opportunities they need to keep delivering the best care for Victorians.