Mental health legislation in Australia

Authors

Vikas Garg, University of WollongongFollow
Hitta Garg, University of WollongongFollow
Nagesh Brahmavar Pai, University of WollongongFollow
Rammohan Rao Malesu, University of WollongongFollow

RIS ID

63583

Publication Details

Garg, V., Garg, H., Pai, N. Brahmavar. & Malesu, R. (2012). Mental health legislation in Australia. In RANZCP, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 46 (S1), 38-38.

Abstract

Background: All States and Territories of Australia have a separate Mental Health Act, though the foundation principles are the same. All mental health legislation is based on United Nations Mental Illness Principles 1991 that gives the necessary structure and components. When patients move from one state to another, the transfer of care under the Mental Health Act though agreed upon, does not happen in new jurisdiction. To have six legislations in one country, makes no common sense and wastes tax payers money.