Australian Government delivers major mental health boost in Adelaide
Media event date: 29 July 2026 Date published: 29 July 2026 Media type: Media release General public The Australian Government is delivering a major boost to mental health care in Adelaide's south, announcing a new Medicare Mental Health Centre and a new Perinatal Mental Health Centre in Onkaparinga. Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Emma McBride joined local member and Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Amanda Rishworth in southern Adelaide today to announce the new services.
Together, these investments will expand access to free mental health care so southern Adelaide residents can get the support they need close to home. Over its first 12 months of operation, the Onkaparinga Medicare Mental Health Centre is expected to provide approximately 6,675 occasions of care, offering immediate, free mental health support to people experiencing distress, with no appointment or referral required.
The centre will be staffed by a multidisciplinary team of psychologists, social workers and peer workers, delivering instant and ongoing care close to home. Medicare Mental Health Centres are already making a real difference across South Australia, delivering more than 20,000 occasions of care to people in need of mental health support. Complementing this service, the new Perinatal Mental Health Centre will provide specialised mental health care for new and expectant parents experiencing mental health challenges during pregnancy and early parenthood.
The Onkaparinga service is expected to support nearly 800 parents each year, and forms part of the Australian Government’s commitment to deliver a network of 20 around the country. In Australia, one in five women and one in ten men are estimated to experience mental health challenges during the perinatal period each year, highlighting the need for accessible and specialised care.
Both centres are expected to open in 2027, with exact locations currently being determined. Quotes attributable to Minister Rishworth: “Mental health care should be available close to home and these services will make a positive difference to south Adelaide residents. “A Medicare Mental Health Centre in the Southern Suburbs means people will have easier access to free, face-to-face, mental health support when they need it.
"And with the addition of a co-located Perinatal Mental Health Centre, new and expectant parents experiencing mental health challenges will receive specialised help sooner, leading to better outcomes for them and their children." "These new centres adds to the Albanese Labor Government’s investment into the Morphett Vale Urgent Care Clinic, which has seen over 44,000 people since its opening." Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister McBride: “At the last election, the Albanese Labor Government committed to expanding access to free mental health care, and today we are delivering on that commitment for South Australia.
“The new Medicare Mental Health Centre will provide free, walk-in mental health support, ensuring people can access quality care close to home, without needing an appointment or referral. “By co-locating a new Perinatal Mental Health Centre in Onkaparinga, we are also making sure expectant and new parents can access specialised support during a critical stage of life.
“Together, these services will provide a stronger, more connected mental health system for Adelaide's south, backed by Medicare and free of out-of-pocket costs.” The Hon Emma McBride MP Mental health and suicide prevention Accessibility We acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, sea and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past and present. © Commonwealth of Australia