The Brain and Mind Centre (BMC) will play a leading role in shaping a new national digital mental health service, following the Albanese Government’s appointment of to deliver the program.
Announced by the service——which launched on 1 January 2026 and continues to roll out, aims to provide early support to Australians experiencing mild to moderate mental health challenges. It will be rolled out in stages over three years and by 2029, it is expected to help over 150,000 people each year.
This is a real opportunity to change the face of mental health services in Aus. Finally we are taking 21st century options to scale; and doing it with a clear eye on equity and accessibility.
Co-Director Prof Ian Hickie AO
Researchers, and will lead the partnership from the ±¬ÁÏÍõ side, with the help of other researchers from the Youth Mental Health and Technology research team at the BMC. They will bring expertise in digital mental health, system reform, and service transformation to the initiative.
They will work as the innovation and improvement lead for the digital technology, alongside St Vincent’s, who will design, evaluate, and continuously enhance the service as it rolls out nationwide.Â
Mental Health website
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The program offers free, accessible care through self-guided digital tools and low-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), delivered by trained professionals via phone or video. It is available to Australians aged 16 and over without the need for a GP referral.
For the BMC, the partnership represents a major opportunity to embed research-driven innovation within a national, government-funded service. The work forms part of a broader National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)–supported program, positioning the University as a key research and innovation partner in the delivery of scalable mental health care.
Central to the BMC’s role will be improving clinical outcomes, user experience and overall system performance and quality over time. This includes exploring the potential for advanced technologies—such as artificial intelligence and data-driven tools—to personalise care, monitor outcomes and strengthen service effectiveness at scale.
I’m thrilled to be part of the Medicare Mental Health Check-In team alongside St Vincent's Health Australia. It’s great to be part of a service whereby there is such a clear commitment to innovation and improvement, underpinned by research.
Dr Frank Iorfino
Take a Step Towards Better Wellbeing
Australians will be encouraged to seek help early, so their mental health challenges can be managed before they become more serious, without waiting for a referral or being concerned about a gap fee. The resources will be available to anyone aged over 16 without the need for a referral from a GP.
The Australian Government has provided $588.5 million over eight years from 2024-25, and $113.4 million each year ongoing for Medicare Mental Health Check In. The resource website can be accessed
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