This handbook provides information about the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act (the Act).
The Act commenced on 1 September 2023. It replaces the Mental Health Act 2014 as the key Victorian legislation covering mental health and wellbeing treatment and support.
The handbook provides information about key features of the Act. It does not offer comprehensive legal advice. The department will continue to add further information and resources to the handbook.
The Act is being implemented with other reforms recommended by the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System. Read more on the Mental Health Reform page.
The department has created new resources to support community understanding of the new Act. These are available on the Information for the community page.
Reviewed 14 January 2025