Promise check: Provide $200 million to schools for mental health support

Promise check: Provide $200 million to schools for mental health support

At the 2022 election, Labor promised to provide $200 million to schools for mental health support. Here's how that promise is tracking.

Person with head in hands sitting on ground (Image by ABC News: Niki Burnside)

After two years in which school kids were forced to grapple with the stress and hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic, Labor leader Anthony Albanese went to the election promising to help students get their mental health "back on track".

As one pre-election policy document explained, Labor's pledge included a plan to "[d]eliver a $200 million student wellbeing boost".

This "one-off" funding increase would see the "average school" receive an extra $20,000 to spend on staff and activities to improve mental health, the policy said.

"This will mean more school counsellors and psychologists, and extra funding for camps [and] excursions, as well as sporting and social activities that improve kids' wellbeing."

Labor repeated its pledge before the election in various policy documents, media releases and interviews.

On April 11, for example, then shadow education minister Tanya Plibersek, told journalists Labor was offering "just over $200 million, focused on helping our kids with their social and emotional wellbeing … helping our kids recover from their lost learning in COVID-19".

Assessing the claim

Labor's policy said "every Australian school" would receive the wellbeing boost in 2022, while a separate policy costings document released before the election allocated $201.5 million for the wellbeing boost in the 2022-23 financial year.

This promise will be delivered if the government provides funding according to these costings.

19 May 2023

Share

19 May 2023

Share

More Promises

Toddler girl playing with wooden blocks

Promise check: Increase child care subsidy rates

Before the election, Labor promised to increase child care subsidies for all families earning up to $530,000, as well as extend the increased subsidies to outside school hours care. Here's how the promise is tracking.

A fist in front of a blurry figure

Promise check: Legislate 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave

At the 2022 election, Labor promised to legislate 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave. Here's how the promise is tracking.

Indigenous flag in front of parliament

Promise check: Hold a referendum to constitutionally enshrine a Voice to Parliament in the first term

At the 2022 election, Labor promised to hold a referendum to constitutionally enshrine a Voice to Parliament in its first term. Here's how the promise is tracking.

Pharmacist holding medicine box and capsule pack in pharmacy drugstore.

Promise check: Reduce the maximum charge for PBS scripts by $12.50 from January 2023

At the 2022 election, Labor promised to reduce the maximum charge for PBS scripts by $12.50 from January 2023. Here's how that promise is tracking.

Load more +
aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

More information