Mental health consumer organisations 

New South Wales

BEING - Mental Health and Wellbeing Consumer Advisory Group

Suite 501, Level 5, 80 William Street, Woolloomooloo, NSW, 2011

(02) 9332 0200

being.org.au

BEING is the independent, state-wide peak organisation for people with a lived experience of mental illness (consumers), and works with consumers to achieve and support systemic change. BEING acts as a bridge between mental health consumers and the government.

Queensland

Contact Queensland Alliance for Mental Health.

South Australia

Health Consumers Alliance of SA Inc 
Level 1, 12 Pirie Street, Adelaide, SA, 5000 
(08) 8231 4169 
hcasa.asn.au

The Health Consumers Care Alliance of SA engages users of health services and health services themselves to achieve high-quality care. The organisation seeks to promote and strengthen the wellbeing and rights of health consumers.

LELAN

www.lelan.org.au 

Amplifies the voice, influence and leadership of people with lived experience to drive change.

Links to Wellbeing

www.linkstowellbeing.org.au  

Strong links and quick referral pathways to local community services connecting people to local services to strengthen and maintain their supports.

Victoria

The Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council (VMIAC)

1/22 Aintree Street, Brunswick East, VIC, 3057

(03) 9380 3900

vmiac.org.au

The peak Victorian non-government organisation for people who have experience of mental illness or emotional distress. It provides the following services:

  • advocacy and representation for people who use mental health services
  • information and peer support
  • research and evaluation
  • education and training.

Our Consumer Place 
ourconsumerplace.com.au

An information resource developed by people diagnosed with mental illness. The website provides information about projects and initiatives run by people with mental illness between 2008 and 2019.

Health Issues Centre  
Level 1, 255 Bourke Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000 
(03) 8676 9050 
https://hic.org.au/

An independent, not for profit organisation that listens to the voices and experiences of everyday people to help shape policy decisions and service delivery in the health system. It works on projects and campaigns identified as significant priorities for all Australians.

Western Australia

Consumers of Mental Health WA 
31 Manning Road, Cannington, WA, 6107 
(08) 9258 8911 
comhwa.org.au

A consumer-led organisation dedicated to achieving social changes that reflect the needs and priorities of people with mental health issues.

Carer support organisations 

If you are looking after someone with mental health issues you'll understand the value of mutual support and advocacy on behalf of carers and their needs - afterall, you know that you can look after your loved one better when you have support.

Mind conducts research on and promotes awareness of carer needs, and we pursue family-inclusive practice.  We also acknowledge the work of organisations dedicated to promoting the needs of mental health carers and often partner with these organisations.  They include:

National

Mental Health Carers Australia (MHCA) - formerly ARAFMI National

PO Box 592, Heidelberg VIC 3084

mentalhealthcarersaustralia.org.au

Subscribe to Mental Health Carers Australia monthly e-newsletter.

Carers Australia

Unit 1, 16 Napier Close, Deakin ACT 2600

carersaustralia.com.au

Visit this website to find information on state offices.

New South Wales

Mental Health Carers NSW (formerly Arafmi NSW)

Suite 501, Level 5, 80 William St, Woolloomooloo NSW 2011

1300 554 660

mentalhealthcarersnsw.org

Northern Territory

Mental Illness Fellowship Australia Northern Territory (MIFANT)

PO Box 40556, Casuarina NT 0811 
1800 985 944

mifant.org.au

Queensland

Arafmi Queensland

Arafmi Head Office, 24 Chermside Street, Teneriffe, QLD 4005 
(07) 3254 1881 
www.arafmi.com.au  

Tasmania

Mental Health Families and Friends Tasmania (MHFFTas)

2 Terry St Glenorchy TAS 7010 
(03) 6228 7448

mhfamiliesfriendstas.org.au

Victoria

Tandem

Level 1, 37 Mollison Street, Abbotsford VIC 3067

(03) 8803 5555

tandemcarers.org.au

Subscribe to Tandem's fortnightly e-newsletter

Western Australia

Helping Minds

182 Lord Street, Perth WA 6000

(08) 9427 7100

helpingminds.org.au

Peak bodies of community mental health services 

National

National Mental Health Commission

PO Box R1463, Sydney NSW 2000

(02) 8229 7550

[email protected]

New South Wales

Mental Health Coordinating Council

PO Box 668, Rozelle NSW 2039

(02) 9555 8388

[email protected]

Queensland

Queensland Alliance for Mental Health

433 Logan Road, Stones Corner, QLD, 4120

(07) 3252 9411

[email protected]

South Australia

Mental Health Coalition of South Australia 
4/95 King William Road, Unley, SA, 5061 
(08) 8212 8873 
mhcsa.org.au

Victoria

Mental Health Victoria (MHVIC) 
2/22 Horne Street, Elsternwick, VIC, 3185 
(03) 9519 7000 
mhvic.org.au

Western Australia

Western Australian Association for Mental Health 
Level 1, 1 Nash Street, Perth, WA, 6000

(08) 6246 3000 
waamh.org.au

Asking a question or making a complaint about a mental health or disability service 

If you have a concern about the care you are receiving from a mental health or disability service provider, or the way your private information is being handled, you should first make your complaint to the provider. 

At Mind, as with other accredited service providers, we have a thorough process for investigating complaints. We take your concerns seriously and commit to trying to resolve all complaints. If your issue is still not resolved satisfactorily, you can go on to make a complaint at one of the following:

National

Office of the Australian Information Commissioner

[email protected]  

1300 363 992

NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission

https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/about/contact   

1800 035 544 or TTY 133 677 - interpreters can be arranged

National Relay Service - ask for 1800 035 544

National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) - for complaints about your NDIS plan or funding

https://www.ndis.gov.au/contact/feedback-and-complaints 

1800 800 110

New South Wales

Health Care Complaints Commission 
[email protected] 

(02) 9219 7444   

Toll free:1800 043159

Queensland

Office of Health Ombudsman

[email protected]  

133 646

South Australia

Health and Community Services Complaints Commissioner

[email protected]  

(08) 8226 8666 (Metro SA)  

1800 232 007 (Regional SA)

Victoria

Mental Health Complaints Commissioner

[email protected]    

1800 246 054

Office of the Public Advocate

1300 309 337

Disability Services Commissioner

[email protected]  

1800 667 342

Western Australia

Health and Disability Services Complaints Office

[email protected]  

(08) 6551 7600