Even with 70 percent of mental health public spending funded by state and territory governments, unmet need is still costing Australia about AUD 1.3 billion a year, according to AIHW modelling. At the same time, 2.7 million mental health-related PBS medicine items were dispensed in 2022 to 23, yet 18 percent of people with a mental disorder reported getting no help. The figures sit side by side in a way that raises a key question about access, services, and who falls through the cracks.
Key Takeaways
- 7.0% of Australians aged 16–85 experienced severe mental distress (K10 30+) in the 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing; used as a baseline comparator in later AIHW reporting.
- At least 1 in 4 (≈25%) Australian adults experience a mental health condition in any year, based on Beyond Blue citing national survey estimates (summary consistent with Australian prevalence modelling).
- First Nations adults were 2.5x as likely to experience psychological distress (high/very high) as non-Indigenous adults in 2017–18 (AIHW).
- In 2023, 33% of people cited ‘cost’ as a barrier to mental health services (National survey reported in AIHW).
- People living in remote and very remote areas were 1.6 times as likely to report difficulties accessing mental health services as those in major cities (survey measure used by AIHW).
- AUD 5.5 billion total national mental health expenditure was estimated for 2019–20 (AIHW mental health service costs modelling).
- AUD 1.3 billion per year was estimated as ‘missing’ treatment for mental health unmet need, based on AIHW modelling of mental health service access and need gaps.
- In 2022–23, 2.7 million mental health-related prescription medicines were dispensed under Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for psychotropic categories (AIHW PBS data compilation).
- In 2021–22, 1.3 million people received a subsidised mental health medicine under the PBS for antidepressants (PBS claims summary via AIHW).
- In 2022–23, 31,400 admissions to hospital with a principal diagnosis of mental and behavioural disorders occurred (AIHW hospitalisations by diagnosis).
- 12.7% of Australians reported having thoughts of suicide in the past 12 months in 2020 (survey estimate used in AIHW reporting).
- In 2020, alcohol use disorder and drug use disorders contributed 2.7% of total DALYs combined in Australia (IHME/GBD).
- In 2018, high and very high psychological distress was associated with a suicide mortality rate ratio of 5.2x in Australian population studies used in AIHW analyses.
- 1 in 5 Australians experienced a mental disorder in the previous 12 months (aged 16–85), based on 2020–21 Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) National Health Survey estimates reported in AIHW analysis
- 4.1% of Australians (aged 16+) had experienced a mental disorder in the previous 2 weeks (recent mental disorder) based on 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing figures used in widely cited Australian prevalence summaries
Around 1 in 4 Australians experience a mental health condition each year, with major cost and access barriers.
Related reading
01 · Category
Population Prevalence2 stats
01
7.0% of Australians aged 16–85 experienced severe mental distress (K10 30+) in the 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing; used as a baseline comparator in later AIHW reporting.
02
At least 1 in 4 (≈25%) Australian adults experience a mental health condition in any year, based on Beyond Blue citing national survey estimates (summary consistent with Australian prevalence modelling).
Interpretation
Population Prevalence Interpretation
Under the Population Prevalence lens, the data show that severe mental distress affects 7.0% of Australians aged 16–85 in 2007, while at least 1 in 4 adults experience some form of mental health condition each year, indicating a consistently substantial share of the population is impacted.
02 · Category
Equity & Access4 stats
01
First Nations adults were 2.5x as likely to experience psychological distress (high/very high) as non-Indigenous adults in 2017–18 (AIHW).
02
In 2023, 33% of people cited ‘cost’ as a barrier to mental health services (National survey reported in AIHW).
03
People living in remote and very remote areas were 1.6 times as likely to report difficulties accessing mental health services as those in major cities (survey measure used by AIHW).
04
Culturally and linguistically diverse communities reported 1.4x lower rates of accessing mental health services compared with the general population in 2022 (AIHW accessibility analysis).
Interpretation
Equity & Access Interpretation
Equity and access gaps are stark in Australia’s mental health care, with First Nations adults 2.5 times more likely to experience high psychological distress and remote residents 1.6 times more likely to struggle accessing services, while cost remains a barrier for 33% of people and culturally and linguistically diverse communities report 1.4 times lower access than the general population.
03 · Category
Program & Funding2 stats
01
AUD 5.5 billion total national mental health expenditure was estimated for 2019–20 (AIHW mental health service costs modelling).
02
AUD 1.3 billion per year was estimated as ‘missing’ treatment for mental health unmet need, based on AIHW modelling of mental health service access and need gaps.
Interpretation
Program & Funding Interpretation
For the Program and Funding picture in Australia, total mental health spending reached an estimated AUD 5.5 billion in 2019–20, yet AIHW modelling suggests around AUD 1.3 billion per year in treatment remained missing for unmet need.
04 · Category
Service Utilisation4 stats
01
In 2022–23, 2.7 million mental health-related prescription medicines were dispensed under Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for psychotropic categories (AIHW PBS data compilation).
02
In 2021–22, 1.3 million people received a subsidised mental health medicine under the PBS for antidepressants (PBS claims summary via AIHW).
03
In 2022–23, 31,400 admissions to hospital with a principal diagnosis of mental and behavioural disorders occurred (AIHW hospitalisations by diagnosis).
04
In 2022–23, 68,000 people received community mental health care coordination services (AIHW mental health services data).
Interpretation
Service Utilisation Interpretation
In 2022–23, service utilisation for mental health in Australia was substantial, with 2.7 million psychotropic medicines dispensed under the PBS alongside 31,400 hospital admissions for mental and behavioural disorders and 68,000 people receiving community mental health care coordination.
05 · Category
Outcomes & Burden4 stats
01
12.7% of Australians reported having thoughts of suicide in the past 12 months in 2020 (survey estimate used in AIHW reporting).
02
In 2020, alcohol use disorder and drug use disorders contributed 2.7% of total DALYs combined in Australia (IHME/GBD).
03
In 2018, high and very high psychological distress was associated with a suicide mortality rate ratio of 5.2x in Australian population studies used in AIHW analyses.
04
In 2021, the rate of hospitalisations for self-harm was 30.2 per 100,000 (AIHW self-harm and suicide hospitalisation indicator).
Interpretation
Outcomes & Burden Interpretation
For the Outcomes and Burden of mental health in Australia, suicide related harm remains substantial with 12.7% reporting thoughts of suicide in 2020 and self harm hospitalisations reaching 30.2 per 100,000 in 2021, while psychological distress and substance use disorders also contribute meaningfully to overall health loss through DALYs.
06 · Category
Prevalence2 stats
01
1 in 5 Australians experienced a mental disorder in the previous 12 months (aged 16–85), based on 2020–21 Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) National Health Survey estimates reported in AIHW analysis
02
4.1% of Australians (aged 16+) had experienced a mental disorder in the previous 2 weeks (recent mental disorder) based on 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing figures used in widely cited Australian prevalence summaries
Interpretation
Prevalence Interpretation
For the prevalence of mental health conditions in Australia, about 1 in 5 Australians reported having a mental disorder in the past 12 months, and 4.1% experienced one in the previous 2 weeks, showing that both year long and short term impacts are common.
More related reading
07 · Category
Access And Equity1 stats
01
18.0% of Australians with a mental disorder reported not getting any help for their condition (national survey-based estimate reported in AIHW access analysis)
Interpretation
Access And Equity Interpretation
From an access and equity perspective, 18.0% of Australians with a mental disorder reported not getting any help, showing that a significant minority still face barriers to mental health support.
08 · Category
Service Utilization6 stats
01
In 2022–23, 1.7 million Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) mental health-related items were billed (service volume for eligible MBS mental health items)
02
In 2022–23, mental health-related PBS medicines accounted for 2.8% of all PBS medicine items (category share based on national PBS utilisation compilation for mental health medicines)
03
In 2022–23, 4.0% of all hospital separations involved a mental and behavioural disorder principal diagnosis (proportion based on AIHW hospitalisations by diagnosis, separations denominator)
04
In 2022–23, 31,400 hospital admissions with a principal diagnosis of mental and behavioural disorders (includes separations where this was the principal diagnosis)
05
In 2022–23, 9.5% of all acute hospital bed-days were for mental and behavioural disorders (bed-days proportion derived from AIHW bed-day tables by diagnosis)
06
In 2022–23, 3,900 people were admitted to hospital with a principal diagnosis of substance use disorders (count of admissions reported in AIHW diagnosis breakdowns)
Interpretation
Service Utilization Interpretation
In 2022–23, mental health demand was clearly visible in service use, with 1.7 million MBS mental health related items billed alongside 4.0% of hospital separations and 9.5% of acute bed days carrying a mental and behavioural disorder principal diagnosis.
09 · Category
Technology And Digital Care1 stats
01
In 2023, 29% of Australian adults had used at least one health app (overall health app usage rate used as a proxy context for digital mental health engagement in reputable market research)
Interpretation
Technology And Digital Care Interpretation
In 2023, 29% of Australian adults had used at least one health app, indicating that digital tools are already reaching a meaningful share of the population under the Technology and Digital Care approach to mental health support.
10 · Category
Cost And Funding3 stats
01
In 2022, Australia’s per capita expenditure on mental health services was AUD 292 (estimated from national health accounts/mental health function classifications compiled for international comparability)
02
In 2020, Australia spent 1.2% of GDP on health and 0.2% of GDP on mental health-related services (benchmarking figure from OECD health expenditure by function including mental health)
03
In 2021–22, state and territory governments funded 70% of mental health-related public spending in Australia (share of total public funding reported in national budget/financial reporting analysis)
Interpretation
Cost And Funding Interpretation
For the cost and funding picture, Australia spent about AUD 292 per person on mental health services in 2022 and allocated 0.2% of GDP to mental health-related services in 2020, while state and territory governments covered 70% of mental health-related public spending in 2021–22.
11 · Category
Workforce And Capacity1 stats
01
In 2021, Australia had 36.5 psychologists per 100,000 population (health workforce estimate from OECD health workforce comparisons)
Interpretation
Workforce And Capacity Interpretation
In 2021, Australia reported 36.5 psychologists per 100,000 people, indicating a measurable level of workforce capacity to support mental health needs under the Workforce And Capacity category.
12 · Category
Outcomes And Burden2 stats
01
In 2022, there were 3.1 hospitalisations per 1,000 population for self-harm and suicidal behaviour (rate from national hospitalisations indicator tables)
02
In 2019, depressive disorders contributed 1.1% of total DALYs in Australia (GBD 2019 results for depressive disorders, percent of all-cause DALYs)
Interpretation
Outcomes And Burden Interpretation
In the Outcomes and Burden picture for Australia, self harm and suicidal behaviour led to 3.1 hospitalisations per 1,000 people in 2022, while depressive disorders still accounted for 1.1% of all DALYs in 2019, showing a measurable health burden across both acute and long term impacts.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Karl Becker. (2026, February 13). Australia Mental Health Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/australia-mental-health-statistics
MLA
Karl Becker. "Australia Mental Health Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/australia-mental-health-statistics.
Chicago
Karl Becker. 2026. "Australia Mental Health Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/australia-mental-health-statistics.
Sources & references
32 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+25 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)