Recommendation 44

What the Royal Commission said

The Royal Commission recommends that the Victorian Government:

1. establish an independent statutory authority, the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission, to:
   1. hold government to account for the performance and quality and safety of the mental health and wellbeing system;
   2. support people living with mental illness or psychological distress, families, carers and supporters to lead and partner in the improvement of the system;
   3. monitor the Victorian Government's progress in implementing the Royal Commission's recommendations; and
   4. address stigma related to mental health.
2. ensure the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission:
   1. is led by a Chair Commissioner and who is supported by a small group of Commissioners, all of whom are appointed by the Governor-in-Council; and
   2. includes at least one Commissioner with lived experience of mental illness or psychological distress and one Commissioner with lived experience as a family member or carer.
3. enable the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission to:
   1. obtain data and information about mental health and wellbeing service delivery, system performance and outcomes, and other relevant information, from all government agencies;
   2. work with and share data and information with the Department of Health and other relevant entities (for example, the Collaborative Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing and Safer Care Victoria);
   3. initiate its own inquiries into matters that support its objectives;
   4. handle and investigate complaints about mental health and wellbeing service delivery;
   5. make recommendations to the Premier, any minister and the heads of public service bodies; and
   6. publish reports on the performance and quality and safety of the mental health and wellbeing system.

What are we doing?

The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission was formally established as an independent statutory authority on 1 September 2023 under the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022.

The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission will monitor and publicly report on the performance, quality and safety of the mental health and wellbeing system and elevate the leadership of people with lived experience.

For more information, please visit the new Commission’s website.