Legislation

Mental Health Act 1986 (Link to Victorian Law Today)

The Mental Health Act provides a legislative framework for the care, treatment and protection of people with mental illness in Victoria.

Approved Mental Health Services

An approved mental health service is a premises or service where a person may be involuntarily treated as an inpatient for their mental illness.

Flowchart

Procedure for making a request and recommendation for involuntary treatment as an inpatient or in the community under the Mental Health Act 1986 - October 2008 (PDF file 437KB).

The flowchart has been produced to explain the procedures for commencing involuntary treatment under the Mental Health Act.

Guidelines

Confidentiality under the Mental Health Act 1986 - November 2008 (PDF file 271KB) (Program management circular)

Amendments

Sentencing and Mental Health Acts (Amendment) Act 2005 - Commenced 1 October 2006 (External site)

The Sentencing and Mental Health Acts (Amendment) Act makes significant changes to provisions in the Mental Health Act 1986 and the Sentencing Act 1991 that govern hospital orders, hospital security orders and restricted community treatment orders. Changes include the introduction of restricted involuntary treatment orders (RITO). The changes came into force on 1 October 2006.

Guardianship and Administration (Further Amendment) Act 2006 - Commenced 15 July 2006 (External site)

The Guardianship and Administration (Further Amendment) Act amends the Guardianship and Administration Act 1986 regarding consent to medical research procedures and makes consequential amendments to the Mental Health Act 1986

Health Legislation (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2005 - Commenced 3 August 2005 (External site)

Mental Health (Amendment) Act 2003 - Commenced 6 December 2004 (External site)

Where to get a copy of the Mental Health Act 1986

A consolidated copy of the Mental Health Act 1986 can be viewed or downloaded from the Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents website. (External site)

Hard copies of the consolidated Act can be purchased from Victorian Government Bookshop, (External site) 505 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, 3000, or by calling Information Victoria on 1300 366 356 for the cost of a local call anywhere in Australia or +613 9603 9900 for international callers.