Established in 2017, our research and advocacy function has become well-known and sought after across the sector, consistently being called upon by state and federal government and inquiry bodies to inform local and national policy. 

Mind promotes social inclusion and support for recovery as a fundamental human right. Our advocacy agenda is based on understanding people’s experiences and using this to develop suggestions for policy and system reform at a local, state and national level. 

The advocacy function sits within the integrated Research, Advocacy and Policy Development division and works to fulfil Mind's strategic goal of contributing to a better, stronger Australian mental health system. 

We work closely with the Mind community to understand their experiences, and strive for social change on issues that matter to them. In practice, this means our work involves: 

  • Policy analysis and evidence-based policy development 
  • Applied research, and initiatives to test new policy solutions 
  • Public awareness raising, campaign development and execution 
  • Coalition and network building. 
  • System reform and Inquiries 
  • National Disability Insurance Scheme – Psychosocial disability 
  • Housing and homelessness 
  • Social and community inclusion 
  • Suicide Prevention and Response 
  • Families and carers 

Inquiry submissions and reports  

Mind contributes to public inquiries and seeks to ensure that our voice, and that of the community we serve, is heard by Governments and decision-makers across Australia.

Our recent contributions to system reform include submissions and reports to the following bodies and inquiries: 

Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System 2019 – 2021

The Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System (the Commission) represented a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reset Victoria’s mental health system.

Mind contributed to the Commission’s inquiry by making submissions to the Terms of Reference for the Commission and the Commission’s general inquiry. Mind staff also gave evidence at hearings, participated in roundtables and provided follow-up advice and information at the Commission’s request.

The Commission released its Final Report in early 2021. This set a roadmap for reform in Victoria. The challenge in realising Victoria’s new mental health and wellbeing system will be in the implementation.  Mind continues to be involved in implementing the reforms, contributing to consultations and inquiries.

Submission to the Victorian Royal Commission into Mental Health Services, July 2019 (PDF 1.6 MB)

Witness Statements

Productivity Commission Inquiry into Mental Health 2018 – 2020

Mental Health Select Committee (QLD) – Inquiry into the Opportunities to Improve Mental Health Outcomes for Queenslanders

National Disability Insurance Scheme – Psychosocial disability  

Mind is a strong supporter of the NDIS and the inclusion of people with psychosocial disability in the Scheme. We work to improve policy settings to ensure NDIS participants with a psychosocial disability are able to have their support needs met based on their individual needs and goals. We regularly contribute to NDIS inquiries and submission processes based on consultations with people with lived experience.

Submissions to the Independent Review of the NDIS 

Mind is a member of the Australian Psychosocial Alliance (APA). APA members are specialist providers of community-managed mental health and wellbeing services in Australia, with the majority being registered NDIS providers with a specialist focus on psychosocial disability. As an Alliance, we made a significant submission to the NDIS Review in May 2023.  

A Recovery-Shaped NDIS: Australian Psychosocial Alliance (APA) submission to the NDIS Review Panel - 19 May 2023 (PDF 3 MB)

Mind’s submission to the NDIS Review Panel focused on the importance of housing for people with psychosocial disability and the value of recovery-focused models of support, along with evidence-based and economically efficient solutions to address the needs of NDIS participants with psychosocial disability who have inseparable and adjacent needs for specialist housing with support.  
Housing with Support: Submission to the NDIS Review - July 2023 (PDF 2 MB)

NDIS Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track)

Mind recognizes that the NDIS Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No.1) Bill 2024 provides an opportunity for the reform of the NDIS. Mind is broadly supportive of the proposed directions of the NDIS Review and understands that the Bill is proposed as enabling legislation. However, the timing of its introduction is not appropriate and should be delayed.

NDIS Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No.1) Bill 2024 (PDF 218 KB)

Submissions to the National Disability Insurance Agency

Joint Standing Committee into the NDIS – The provision of services under the NDIS for people with psychosocial disabilities related to a mental health condition

Joint Standing Committee into the NDIS

Housing and homelessness  

The provision of housing and residential services has been at the core of Mind’s approach to community based mental health care since 1977. We know housing is critical for mental health recovery.

Mind and the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) co-published Trajectories in 2020. This is one of the first national studies to examine the relationship between the housing and mental health pathways of people with lived experience of mental ill-health. The findings of Trajectories continue to inform our submissions to inquiries. Find out more about Trajectories.

Recent housing and homelessness related submissions:

Social and community inclusion  

Suicide Prevention and Response  

Our recent contributions include submissions and reports to the following bodies and inquiries:

Victorian Suicide Prevention and Response Strategy (August 2022)

Tasmanian Suicide Prevention Strategy (2023-2027)

National Suicide Prevention Strategy (October 2024)

Families and carers  

Mind led the Caring Fairly campaign, which launched in 2017. This was a national campaigning coalition directed by unpaid carers, along with specialist organisations and peak bodies that support and advocate for their rights. 

The campaign garnered significant media attention and references in Parliament. It concluded in 2021 and Mind continues to use our unique expertise in mental health to advocate for mental health carers. 

Caring Fairly made submissions to the following inquiries: