Labor and the coalition are at odds on how best to improve mental health care, with the government pledging $1 billion to increase access to services.
Australians look set to receive more access to mental health services regardless of who wins the election.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will on Tuesday unveil a $1 billion package which includes a boost in the number of Medicare mental health centres and additional specialist services for young people.
It sets the stage for a debate on mental health after the coalition pledged to double the number of Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions from 10 to 20.
Labor’s package sets aside $225 million for new or upgraded Medicare mental health centres – “entry point” facilities which allow patients to access free consultation with trained professionals but are not designed to offer longer-term ongoing care.
An extra $200 million will be spent on 58 services run by mental-health organisation Headspace, either to set up new locations or expand existing ones.
The package also includes $500 million to set up 20 youth specialist care centres, designed to deal with young people who have mental health conditions such as eating disorders or personality disorders.
Mr Albanese said the funding would allow more people to get free mental health support in more locations.
“I want everyone, and especially young people, to be able to access the mental health care they need,” he said.
“Whether you need short-term support or ongoing care, young or old, we will ensure that a free, mental health service backed by Medicare will be there for you and your family.”
A further $90 million would be spent on helping to train 1200 mental health professionals.
The coalition has pledged to double the number of Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions should it form government at the May 3 poll.
Patients were offered 20 subsidised sessions during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic as a temporary measure under the former coalition government.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has called for the 20 sessions to be restored permanently.
But Health Minister Mark Butler said the coalition pledge would not ease pressure on the mental health system.
“Peter Dutton isn’t ready for government or the hard work of policy development or reform, and nowhere is this clearer than in mental health,” he said.
“(Mr) Dutton is promising to repeat the mistakes of the past by piling up more demand on private psychologists, driving up gap fees and making waitlists longer.”
The prime minister will start the day campaigning in Sydney ahead of his first election debate against the opposition leader.
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