Better health and ageing for all Australians

Mental Health

Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS) Expert Advisory Committee

Information about the formation, role and membership of the ATAPS Expert Advisory Committee.

The ATAPS Review Expert Advisory Committee has been an informal expert panel since mid 2008. Its role between 2008 and 2010 has been to provide expert advice and guidance on the review of the ATAPS component of the Australian Government's Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care (BOiMHC) program.

The informal expert panel was formalised into a departmental committee in September 2010. The role of the ATAPS Expert Advisory Committee is to provide advice to the Australian Government on issues relating to implementation of recommendations from the February 2010 ATAPS review, implementation of the budget measures, and on a range of clinical and other mental health issues.

The committee is chaired by the department and includes representatives from key professional groups. The current membership includes:

  • Ms Fiona Nicholls (Chair)
  • Ms Kandie Allen-Kelly
  • Professor Ian Hickie
  • Mr Ron Hunt
  • Professor Lyn Littlefield
  • Professor Morton Rawlin
  • Associate Professor Kim Ryan
  • Ms Leanne Wells
  • Dr Bridget Bassilios
  • Dr Alexander Bennett
  • Mrs Heather Nowak
  • Dr Maria Tomasic
  • Ms Donna Ah Chee
  • beyondblue - representative to be advised and
  • National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum - representative to be advised.
The committee holds two face to face meetings per year with additional meetings held by teleconference as required.