Mind Australia welcomes the Queensland Government’s $400 million commitment over the next four years to fund new and existing mental health services, announced in the 2026/2027 Queensland Budget yesterday.
Funded through the Queensland Mental Health Levy, the commitment includes 30 new perinatal mental health beds and funding to place experienced mental health nurses in emergency departments across Queensland. These specialist nursing roles will help create better links between emergency departments and community mental health services, reduce pressure on overstretched emergency departments, and improve outcomes for people experiencing mental distress.
The $400 million commitment also includes the development and delivery of two new Youth Step Up Step Down (YSUSD) services in Rockhampton and Townsville.
YSUSD services are a critical part of Queensland’s mental health system. They support young people transitioning back into the community following a hospital stay, while also providing a community-based alternative to hospital admission for young people experiencing mental health distress.
At Mind, we see the life-changing value of Youth Step Up Step Down services every day, including through our services in Caboolture and Logan.
“YSUSD services play a vital role in our mental health system by helping young people access the right support at the right time, ensuring they have the care they need to navigate moments of crisis and build lasting pathways to wellbeing,” Mind’s Executive Director of Operations in Queensland, Denise Cumming, said.
“The model is proven to reduce pressure on hospitals by providing short-term, intensive recovery-focused support in a community setting. Care is tailored to each young person’s strengths, goals and preferences, delivered through a combination of one-on-one and group-based support.
“This investment is a welcome step towards ensuring more young Queenslanders can access the support they need, closer to home.”
Queensland’s Mental Health Levy was introduced in 2023, but a recent Queensland Audit Office report found shortfalls in how the levy had been managed and evidence of money being spent on programs outside its scope. Mind welcomes the Queensland Government’s commitment to directing revenue raised through the Mental Health Levy towards mental health support services, as originally intended.
Mind also commends the Queensland Government for committing an additional $1 billion for social and community housing as part of its goal of delivering 53,500 social and community homes by 2044.
“Safe, secure and stable housing is one of the strongest foundations for mental health and recovery,” Ms Cumming said.
“Investment in social and community housing is an investment in mental wellbeing. We know that when people have a safe place to call home, they are better able to focus on their recovery, maintain connections with their community and build the life they want.
“The Queensland Government should be commended for its continued investment in social and community housing. This investment recognises the ongoing housing and cost-of-living pressures facing Queenslanders, and will help more people access safe and affordable housing.”