The Better Access evaluation report was released by the Federal Government on 12 December 2022. The report revealed that while Better Access has increased access to mental health services, it is not delivering equal outcomes for all Australians. People from lower socio-economic backgrounds; those residing in regional, rural and remote areas; and aged care residents are being left behind due to the lack of mental health workers and workforce location issues.
Concerningly, less than half of low socio-economic status individuals were able to receive treatment, including the additional 10 sessions, in 2022. Service affordability remains a major concern, and workforce shortages were also acknowledged as a significant issue.
The APS’s research on waitlists over the past 18 months was also cited in the report. It is gratifying to see our member-driven research beginning to influence the reform process, and the APS thanks everyone who has contributed to this essential work.
The report also found both psychologists and patients had overwhelming satisfaction with the program and wished for it to be made permanent.
Despite some issues around the targeting of the subsidised psychology program, the independent report ultimately recommended the 20-session program be retained and advised the government to also look at ways to increase accessibility to areas of need where possible.
Unfortunately, the government chose to reject this key recommendation and discontinue the program with no replacement, instead opting for further consultation with the APS and relevant sector partners.
APS response
The APS and members were appalled by the minister’s decision on 12 December, and continue to be appalled. The issues facing our sector have been known for years. Prior to the pandemic, mental illness and suicide were costing the Australian economy around $220 billion per year. According to the Productivity Commission, increasing investment in mental health would save the federal budget around $18 billion per year in health, social and justice-related costs.
Eliminating a program that provided more than a million additional subsidised psychology sessions last financial year and replacing it with nothing will not solve the crisis. We believe the fundamental cause of longer wait times is the high demand for services and the lack of psychologists to provide them, compounded by a lack of investment in prevention and early intervention measures.
Before the pandemic, only one in 100 psychologists were unable to accept new patients; this is now 1 in 3 and getting worse. Subsequent APS analysis found that more than a million additional mental health sessions were accessed through this program in financial year 2021-22.
Despite this record demand, the government is only meeting 35 per cent of its psychology workforce target at a time when we must rapidly scale the psychology workforce and deploy new workers to areas of most need through increased public funding of university places.
This is supported by separate APS analysis which found an additional investment of just $5 million in more university places could increase the psychology workforce by approximately 5600 within only 2 years – an increase of more than 16 per cent.
Unlike GPs, there are no incentives for psychologists to practise in low-serviced areas. The APS has recommended the Federal Government provide relocation incentives like those available to GPs, to attract more psychologists to these communities.
Making your voice heard
Thanks to the support of APS members in 2022, we generated more than 350 media mentions on this issue, reaching a potential audience of more than 20 million people. This incredible outcome was only made possible by the unwavering efforts of APS members, who shared their powerful stories with us.
Major national stories include:
Media reports like these examples make a noticeable impact and start conversations across the country, helping us to reach the community, government and other stakeholders, with our advocacy priorities informed by members.
Changing the mood in Canberra
At the time of publication, Federal Health Minister Mark Butler remains unconvinced of the need to reinstate the 20 sessions program. APS advocacy at the Better Access Expert Forum, in the media and directly with members of parliament has seen a significant number of political parties and independent MPs join our cause in calling for the reinstatement of the 20 sessions program.
These include:
Government members are also raising concerns with Minister Butler – Labor backbencher Josh Burns publicly criticised and called for a reversal of his party’s decision.
This means 116 members of parliament, or party leaders representing these MPs, have publicly supported the reinstatement of the 20 sessions program, compared with conservative estimates of 110 opposed.
This is an extraordinary advocacy effort by the APS and members that we hope to turn into tangible reform alongside our other core advocacy goals.