Review of Low Intensity Mental Health Services
Co-design and consultation process
This page includes information about:
Purpose of the review
The Australian Government’s 2024–25 Budget announced funding for a new National Early Intervention Service to provide free, low‑intensity mental health support to people experiencing mild mental ill‑health or transient distress. This national service is now known as Medicare Mental Health Check-in and is currently operating.
To ensure local services continue to meet the needs of our communities, COORDINARE undertook a review of low‑intensity mental health services in South Eastern NSW. The review examined:
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how existing low‑intensity services are working across the region
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gaps, barriers and unmet need for specific population groups
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opportunities to improve access, experience and outcomes
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how locally commissioned services can complement national programs and other parts of the stepped care system.
What we heard
Feedback from consumers, carers, service providers, clinicians and community stakeholders has played a key role in shaping our approach.
The review identified that a targeted, community‑based approach is needed for people who face barriers to telehealth or digital‑only support, to complement the Medicare Mental Health Check-in service.
You can access the insight reports from this review below:
- Insights report summary
- Insights report - Review of Low Intensity Mental Health Services in South Eastern NSW (February 2026)
What's next in the process
Targeted commissioning of future services
As a result of the review, COORDINARE has launched a targeted Request for Proposal to commission low‑intensity mental health services for specific priority populations across South Eastern NSW including
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Children aged 5–12 and their families
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People from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities
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Older people aged 65 years and over
Transition of the NewAccess service
Following the review of low‑intensity mental health services in South Eastern NSW, and broader changes to the national low‑intensity mental health service landscape (including the introduction of Medicare Mental Health Check‑in), the decision was made to transition away from the existing NewAccess service model in South Eastern NSW currently delivered by Wellways.
COORDINARE has worked closely with Wellways to support this transition, with a focus on continuity of care for people currently accessing support, clear communication with providers and the workforce, and support to connect people with appropriate alternative services where needed.
If you are looking for similar support, Medicare Mental Health Check‑in may be a suitable option.
You can access the service by:
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visiting the Medicare Mental Health Check‑in website to learn more about low‑intensity CBT and to check whether it’s right for you
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to register for the free CBT program, call Medicare Mental Health on 1800 595 212 (Monday to Friday, 8:30am–5pm, excluding public holidays) to speak with a trained professional, who can assess suitability and support enrolment.
In addition, Medicare Mental Health also provides broader guidance and navigation support to help individuals identify other sustainable mental health services and supports that best meet their needs, including digital, telehealth, and community‑based options.
Have your say
If you would like to provide any feedback regarding the Low Intensity Mental Health Services available in South Eastern NSW - you can complete our general feedback form here.
