Two new free mental health support centres have opened in Bunbury and Kalamunda, after new federal government figures revealed just one clinic in Perth’s east had delivered more than 25,000 appointments since it opened.
The Midland clinic is just one of five mental health support centres introduced in WA by the federal government, and has provided more free sessions than the other four – located in Armadale, Gosnells, Midland, Mirrabooka and Northam combined.
The federal government says another further five centres will be delivered by 2029–30, each offering free walk-in care with no appointment or referral required.
To date, 48,140 sessions have been delivered through all five operating centres, but the Midland Medicare Mental Health Centre has outstripped them all by responding to particularly high community need – delivering more than 25,000 free appointments since opening.
Member for Hasluck Tania Lawrence, whose electorate includes Midland, said the latest figures show the centres are making a difference for the local community.
“It is great that the days of mental health stigma is behind us as more and more people in my community in Hasluck take the opportunity to get counselling, and support to help them navigate issues they are finding tough,” she said.
“Our free, walk-in Medicare Mental Health Centres are making a real difference, giving people access to immediate, free care without the barriers of cost, referrals or long wait times.”
The Midland centre officially opened in 2022, more than 12 months longer than the Gosnells and Mirrabooka centres which were officially opened in August of the following year.
The Northam centre was launched in September 2024 before the Armadale centre officially opened its doors last year.
Of the five centres set to be delivered by 2029–30, two will be opened in Bunbury and Kalamunda, with the location of the remaining three still to be confirmed. The locations of the other three are being kept under wraps.
The centres are part of the federal government’s plan to establish 92 Medicare Mental Health Centres nationwide, backed by an additional $267.3 million investment.
The government has also announced it is investing an additional $29.9 million to ensure every centre has access to on-call psychologists and psychiatrists – expanding the level of care available.
Member for Cowan Ann Aly said getting help should not depend on your postcode, or your bank balance.
“Our Medicare Mental Health Centres mean people in Western Australia including Cowan, can walk in, close to home, and get support for free, without needing an appointment or a referral,” she said.
“The Albanese Labor Government is strengthening Medicare and making mental health care more accessible, more practical and more connected to the communities people live in.”
Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Emma McBride said one in five Australians experienced a mental disorder in the past 12 months.
“These aren’t just statistics; they are our friends, family members and loved ones,” she said.
“That’s why the Albanese Government’s Medicare Mental Health program is placing centres at the heart of communities – so people can get the help they need, when they need it.
“We will continue to expand our network of Medicare Mental Health Centres so more Western Australians can access free support.”
