Australians for Mental Health is urging Australian businesses to lead the charge in dismantling damaging workplace culture, after it was revealed that a third of hiring managers would not consider employing people with a history of mental illness. 

The Australian HR Institute surveyed hundreds of businesses and found seven out of 10 were excluding candidates from certain groups, including those with a history of mental illness. 

The survey found 32% of employers would not consider hiring someone with a history of mental illness in 2026, up from 25% in 2025. 

“Almost 1 in 2 Australians will experience a mental health challenge in their lifetime, to say nothing of the untold millions who never get diagnosed because of stigma, shame or lack of access to services. It is nonsense for employers to cut off access to that talent pool,” Australians for Mental Health Executive Director Chris Gambian said. 

“We really need employers to start creating workplace cultures and environments that support good mental health for everyone and welcome people whose needs might occasionally need to be accommodated.

“It’s hard to have confidence that Australian businesses take mental health seriously, and are committed to reducing the stigma and supporting their staff, if so many are openly admitting they restrict employment opportunities because of someone’s history with mental illness. 

“Morning teas and earnest LinkedIn posts are no substitute for action,” Chris Gambian said. 

The Australian Bureau of Statistics data from 2024 shows 42.9% of Australians aged 16-85 had experienced a mental health disorder in their lifetime. 

“Australians will spend a third of their lives at work, and it is often the place where mental health issues start or get exacerbated. As workplace psychological injury claims go through the roof, we need governments to help overhaul workplace protections against mental harm.  A good start would be mandatory mental health training for all managers.

“Workplaces that support people, including those with a history of mental illness, will not only benefit the business, but the health of our economy and society more broadly. We need mentally healthy workplaces to address the mental health crisis, and we need the federal and state governments to introduce policies that require businesses to up their game, including when it comes to hiring practices,” Chris Gambian said.

Media contact: Kathleen - 0421 522 080

Australians for Mental Health is urging governments to urgently invest in community-based care programs and to embed wellbeing considerations in all policy decisions, after a new report revealed emergency wait times for mental health patients were beyond 23 hours. 

The Australasian College of Emergency Medicine’s new report has found more people need to be admitted for mental health treatment, but that the number of beds has decreased over the past 10 years, contributing to longer wait times. 

“Too many Australians are turning to hospital emergency departments out of sheer desperation because more effective supports are just not available” Australians for Mental Health Executive Director Chris Gambian said.

“This is a lose-lose situation because people in need of care are not getting it and emergency departments are being pushed beyond their limits," Mr Gambian said. 

The latest national study from Australians for Mental Health released earlier this month found 76% of Australians believed the mental health crisis could be solved with the right approach, investment and leadership. 

Of the thousands of respondents, 65% believed mental health was a social issue that affects us all. 

“People experiencing a mental health emergency need care that is quick, accessible and effective. But long before emergencies arise, we need a mental healthcare system that responds to the needs of the community. 

“Australians want practical solutions that keep them well and take pressure off hospitals. Invest in community supports, primary care and digital care that is safe and evidence-based. People should be able to access the care they need, where they live, that the community has had input into,” Chris Gambian said. 

Australians for Mental Health has been consistently calling on the government to take bold action, including:

• Passing a Wellbeing Act to embed mental health and wellbeing issues in all policymaking

• Appointing a Minister for Mental Health & Wellbeing located in the Prime Minister’s department to drive a whole-of-government response to the mental health crisis

• Establishing an independent Mental Health & Wellbeing Commissioner to hold government to account for its performance on mental health

Media contact: Kathleen - 0421 522 080