The Allan Labor Government is making it easier for Victorians to get free, community-based mental health care, with the official opening a permanent location for the Mental Health and Wellbeing Local in Melton.

Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt today celebrated the opening of the new Melton site – chosen and developed alongside community members and people with lived and living experience of the mental health system.

The service, which has been operating since 2023, will now offer walk-in services to the Melton community, with a range of clinical and wellbeing mental health supports – all free of charge with no Medicare card or GP referral required.

The service is delivered by a multidisciplinary team of experienced mental health professionals, wellbeing staff and peer support workers, and is designed to meet the diverse needs of the community.

The Mental Health and Wellbeing Local in Melton is led by Mind Australia in partnership with IPC Health, Thorne Harbour Health, and Western Health.

People across the Melton area can now access the service at 223 Bridge Road,
Cobblebank on weekdays from 10:00am to 8:00pm, and on weekends and public holidays from 10.00am to 5:00pm.

Walk-ins and appointments are available Monday-Thursday from 10.00am to 4.00pm. Telehealth is available during all business hours. 

Acting as a 'front door' to the mental health system, the network of Locals offers support and treatment for Victorians experiencing mental illness or psychological distress, including co-occurring substance use or addiction.

A flagship reform following the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, the services have already supported over 29,000 Victorians to access free, community-based care.

The total number of Locals has now grown to 22 across 24 locations – and the growing uptake of these services reflects the progress in delivering a mental health system that is more accessible for Victorians.

The Victorian Budget 2025/26 invested $34.4 million to support the Local’s existing locations, establish seven new locations and continue essential community-based mental health services across Victoria.

The Labor Government has invested $6 billion in the mental health system since 2021 and grown the mental health workforce by 25 per cent.

More information and phone numbers are available at betterhealth.vic.gov.au/mental-health-wellbeing-locals.

Quote attributable to Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt

“The Melton Mental Health and Wellbeing Local will make it simpler for the community to access free, walk-in support when they need it, close to home.”

Quote attributable to Member for Melton Steve McGhie

“The Melton community now has a welcoming and accessible place to turn when they need support – with no referral needed and no cost, this will be a gamechanger.”