Changes to headspace funding following National Mental Health Reforms

As a result of the national mental health reforms that came into effect from 1 July 2016, funding directed to the headspace platform changed.

Prior to 1 July 2016, headspace National held the role of funder and commissioner of the network of headspace centres. This role and the associated funding (approx. $137m) was transferred to the 31 Primary Health Networks as of 1 July 2016. 

While the role of funder and commissioner was redirected away from headspace National, we continued to support the headspace centre network and took on a new role focused on supporting the PHNs to commission youth mental health services.

We are funded to provide the following support to PHNs and centres:   

• Establishment of new centres or services on the headspace platform
• Workforce training
• Youth participation
• Culturally inclusive services
• Brand and community awareness
• Research and evaluation
• Clinical practice
• Data management
• Maintaining the headspace Model Integrity Framework (hMIF)

In addition, headspace National receives funding to operate key national programs and services including:

• eheadspace (online and telephone counselling support)
• headspace in Schools (including as a service delivery partner for the Be You program)
• Digital Work and Study Service