Australia’s mental health care system is struggling to cope with the demand. But more money won’t necessarily mean everyone gets the care they need.

As we outline in research out this week, we need to incentivise health providers to improve outcomes rather than paying them to do more of the same.

The research, which was funded by the Federal Government’s National Mental Health Commission, outlines why such reform is needed and how it might work.

Many Australians with mental ill health cannot access care when needed, due to long waiting lists and high patient costs.