Residents across the Wide Bay – Burnett region can access free mental health care at the new Medicare Mental Health Centre due to open later this year.

Medicare Mental Health Centres provides free mental health support and follow up care to adults presenting in crisis, as well as short to medium term care for people with moderate to severe mental health needs. No referral or appointment is needed.

The centre is currently located in a temporary premises at Wellways Carer Gateway Office at 140 George Street, Bundaberg and will move to a permanent location later this year.

The Albanese Government is providing $3.5 million to Country to Coast QLD Primary Health Network to establish the new centre, which is operated by Wellways.

The new Bundaberg site is part of a network of 61 Medicare Mental Health Centres being established across the country, including 20 locations rolling out in Queensland.

The Albanese Government announced $29.9 million in this year’s Budget to enhance clinical capacity and ensure each centre has psychologists and psychiatrists on call.  

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister McBride:

“We are building a network of 61 Medicare Mental Health Centres, including the Bundaberg centre, to make mental health services more accessible and affordable.

“Improving mental health services in regional and rural Australia is a key priority for our government.

“With this new centre, residents across the Wide Bay – Burnett will have access to quality mental health care and support, at no cost, close to home.”

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister Chisholm:

“This new Medicare Mental Health Centre will make a real difference for people living in Bundaberg and the Wide Bay - Burnett region. 

“Instead of waiting to secure a referral in order to receive mental health care in times of distress, locals can now head straight to these walk-in clinics, with no out of pocket costs.

“As our state’s regions continue to grow, that means more demand on local health services. We’re committed to delivering the health services that Queensland needs to improve care and protect lives.

“This is another example of the Albanese Government delivering for Queensland’s rapidly growing regional areas.”

Quotes attributable to Minister Fentiman:

“The Queensland and Australian governments share the same aspiration to improve mental health services for Queenslanders – and the centre in Bundaberg is a demonstration of the close cooperation between both governments on the critical issue of mental health.”

“These centres will make it easier to access mental health supports, assist people in navigating mental health services that best meets their needs and reduce the demand on emergency departments.”

Quotes attributable to Tom Smith, Member for Bundaberg:

“This Medicare Mental Health Centre will help reduce the impact of mental ill-health in our community.

“Bundaberg locals will be familiar with the challenges of accessing mental health care, which is why I am pleased that this service is now available in our community.”