Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Small, because this is a very, very important issue. One of the things that were recently announced in the budget was an additional $45 million to more than double the number of headspace sites around Australia that have got the Individual Placement and Support Program. This program, which now will be rolled out over 50 sites across Australia, is a very targeted program to make sure that we provide clinical mental health support to young Australians but, at the same time, use that support to be able to help them on a pathway or a trajectory to secure employment. We know that the onset of mental illness often occurs in young people; however, we know that we can significantly assist these people and help them with their issues by assisting them in the transition to work. Under the IPS Program, we want to make sure that people can have access to things like job coaching, targeted education and employment opportunities. (Time expired)