Mental Health Workforce Advisory Committee

Overview


The Mental Health Workforce Advisory Committee (MHWAC) is a subcommittee of the Mental Health Standing Committee (MHSC) and the Health Workforce Principal Committee (HWPC). MHWAC provides advice to MHSC and HWPC on mental health workforce related issues, with a particular focus on areas that may be appropriate for cross-jurisdictional or national action. The committee also undertakes projects, and promotes communication between MHSC, training bodies and professional associations, and other mental health workforce stakeholders.

MHWAC currently has approval to operate through till July 2012. MHWAC is responsible for supporting the implementation of the National Practice Standards for the Mental Health Workforce, with other activities and initiatives. The committee undertakes projects in areas ranging from pre-registration education to e-learning.

Membership


Membership is endorsed by the HWPC. Members must be in a position to represent their jurisdiction or organisation at this inter-governmental level within the context of the national work program. Membership consists of:
  • A senior mental health workforce representative in each state and territory
  • Chair (a jurisdictional Director of Mental Health or equivalent appointed by the HWPC)
  • Deputy Chair (a jurisdictional Director of Mental Health or equivalent)
  • A representative from the Department of Health and Ageing
  • A nominee of the Health Workforce Principal Committee
  • A mental health consumer representative
  • A mental health carer representative
  • A representative from the non-government community mental health sector
  • A psychiatrist representative nominated through the Private Mental Health Alliance (PMHA)
  • An allied health professional with demonstrated knowledge and experience in national implementation of the National Practice Standards for the Mental Health Workforce
  • A representative from the Australian Private Hospitals Association.

History


MHWAC was established in 2005, as a subcommittee of the National Mental Health Working Group (NMHWG). NMHWG was established by the Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council (AHMAC) in 1991 to oversee the implementation of the National Mental Health Strategy, to provide a forum for cross-jurisdictional information exchange and to encourage a consistent approach to the implementation of the National Mental Health Strategy.

Under the review of AHMAC six standing committees known as Principal Committees, were established to manage AHMAC’s business, and to provide advice to AHMAC. NMHWG became the Mental Health Standing Committee (MHSC) reporting to the Health Policy Priorities Principal Committee. MHWAC reports primarily to Health Workforce Principal Committee (HWPC), but also maintains a reporting line to Mental Health Standing Committee (MHSC).

Terms of Reference


  1. To provide advice to the HWPC and MHSC on workforce related issues that may be appropriate for cross-jurisdictional or national action.
  2. To provide advice to the HWPC and MHSC regarding the implications of broader health and other workforce issues/initiatives for mental health.
  3. To coordinate the workforce related activities of the MHSC, and undertake projects as directed.
  4. To facilitate information sharing on workforce related initiatives between the jurisdictions.
  5. To facilitate communication between MHSC, training bodies and professional associations, and other mental health workforce stakeholders.
  6. To monitor the collection of national mental health workforce data and make recommendations to the HWPC, the MHSC and other relevant bodies on strategies to improve data collection.
  7. To analyse and report on that data with a view to assisting mental health workforce planning.
  8. To encourage the development of consumer led services in jurisdictions.
  9. To undertake specific workforce related tasks as directed by the HWPC.

Secretariat


The contact details for the Secretariat are as follows:

MHWAC Secretariat
Department of Human Services
Level 17
50 Lonsdale Street
MELBOURNE VIC 3000

Ph: (03) 9096 8402
Email: MHWAC Secretariat at penny.tolhurst@health.vic.gov.au