Department of Health

Obligations under the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022

Mental health and wellbeing services must meet core obligations around delivering safe and high-quality treatment and care.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Act

The Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022External Link (the Act) is the foundation for Victoria’s mental health and wellbeing system.

It defines the powers and functions of the Chief Psychiatrist to promote quality and safety.
The Act also outlines:

Obligations for services

Mental health and wellbeing services must meet core obligations around delivering safe and high-quality treatment and care.

These obligations are outlined in the Act and are further elaborated in the Chief Psychiatrist’s guidelines on clinical best practice.

Failure to meet these obligations puts people at risk of harm.

The Office of the Chief Psychiatrist receives notifications about suspected non-compliance with the Act. It takes actions to address issues wherever they are identified.

To meet compliance requirements around treatment and care, mental health and wellbeing services may be required to fill in an official Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 form and submit it to a relevant oversight authority.

Reviewed 12 July 2024

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Office of the Chief Psychiatrist

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