Queensland Mental Health Commission

What Queensland Mental Health Commission does

The Queensland Mental Health Commission is an independent statutory body of the Queensland Government, established under the Queensland Mental Health Commission Act 2013 and headquartered in Brisbane. It is responsible for driving whole-of-government and cross-sectoral reform across mental health, alcohol and other drugs, and suicide prevention for the population of Queensland. The Commission does not deliver clinical services directly; instead it operates through strategic planning frameworks (Shifting minds 2018-2023 and 2023-2028, Every life Suicide Prevention Plan 2019-2029), grant funding programs (Better Futures Grants, Mental Health & Wellbeing Grants, Lived-Living Experience Peer Workforce Grants, Cultural Healing grants, Tertiary Transformation grants, and a $10,000 Sponsorship Program), statewide awareness campaigns (Queensland Mental Health Week, Regional Wellbeing Hubs), and policy research and stakeholder convening (Leading Reform Summit, publications library). The Commission convenes leadership across government agencies, NGOs, lived-experience advocates, and academic partners to coordinate system reform.

The Commission's distribution model is administrative and policy-driven rather than commercial. It funds external organisations through grants and sponsorships (for example, $740,000 across the 2019 Better Futures cohort, $300,000 for the 2026 Mental Health Week Grants Program via QAMH, and $198,000 to Brisbane Youth Service for the Couch Surfing Support Line), publishes research and policy outputs, and surfaces crisis support services such as 1300 MH CALL and the Medicare Mental Health Phone Service. Its technology footprint is limited: the SmartyGrants platform for grant administration, a website (qmhc.qld.gov.au), the State of Mind eNews newsletter, and active social media channels with over 10,000 followers. There is no software product, no proprietary AI or data platform, and no commercial revenue stream.

Its core customer segments are organisational rather than consumer: state and Commonwealth government agencies, NGO and sector service providers, lived-experience and peer workforce organisations, and the people of Queensland who benefit from funded programs. Funding is provided through Queensland Government appropriations, with the Commissioner reporting to the Queensland Minister for Health and Ambulance Services. The Commission is currently led by Acting Commissioner Bretine Curtis, following the conclusion of Ivan Frkovic's nine-year tenure in 2026.

Name

Queensland Mental Health Commission

Legal name

Queensland Mental Health Commission

Website

https://qmhc.qld.gov.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Queensland Mental Health Commission is a Queensland Government statutory body, established in 2013, that drives statewide mental health, alcohol and other drugs, and suicide prevention reform through strategic planning, grant funding, policy research, and sector engagement serving all Queenslanders.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mental Health Policy and System Reform

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Public Health & Human Services Administration (BPAIACAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGAEAH), Outpatient Mental Health Clinics & Counseling Centers (HLAFACAA)

Keywords

• Mental health policy
• Mental health reform
• Suicide prevention strategy
• Government grant programs
• Mental health system reform

Headquarters

HQ city

Brisbane

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Funded by Queensland Government to fulfill statutory functions including strategic planning, system reform, grants administration, research, and stakeholder engagement for mental health and wellbeing improvement.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Queensland Mental Health Commission is a statutory body that drives mental health, alcohol and other drugs, and suicide prevention reform across Queensland through statewide strategic planning (Shifting Minds), grant funding programs for community initiatives and lived-experience peer work, policy and research publications, sector convening (Leading Reform Summit, Queensland Mental Health Week), and cross-government system reform coordination. It does not deliver clinical services directly but funds, links, and coordinates the broader mental health system.

Product overview

Queensland Mental Health Commission operates as a government statutory body rather than a commercial product company. Its 'products and services' consist of grant funding programs (Better Futures Grants, Mental Health & Wellbeing Grants, Sponsorship Program, Lived-Living Experience Peer Workforce Grants), awareness and prevention initiatives (Queensland Mental Health Week, Regional Wellbeing Hubs, Suicide Prevention Initiatives), crisis support services (1300 MH CALL, Medicare Mental Health Phone Service, Kids Hubs), policy frameworks (Shifting Minds Strategic Plan, Supportive Housing Program), events (Leading Reform Summit), and knowledge products (Publications and Resources). The Commission does not offer a unified software platform but rather administers a portfolio of grant programs, awareness campaigns, support services, and strategic frameworks to improve mental health outcomes across Queensland.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Better Futures Grants Grant program designed to improve mental health, wellbeing and social inclusion of people with lived experience of mental illness or problematic substance use, or those affected by suicide. Focus areas include reducing the impact of homelessness and unemployment.
• Mental Health & Wellbeing Grants Grant program supporting community events and initiatives during Queensland Mental Health Week to encourage connection, reduce stigma and promote mental health awareness across Queensland.
• Sponsorship Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced housing instability and homelessness for people with complex needs through supportive housing advocacy
• +2 more outcomes

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Queensland Alliance for Mental Health (QAMH)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2026QAMH administers the Queensland Mental Health Week Grants Program on behalf of QMHC, including Community Events Grants and Mental Health First Aid Training Grants totaling $300,000 in 2026.
• Sane AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021QMHC partnered with Sane Australia to create Schizophrenia Awareness Week video series featuring people living with schizophrenia, treatment information, and support resources.
• Brisbane Youth Service (BYS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 October 2019BYS received QMHC Better Futures grant to trial Couch Surfing Hotline (0402 526 965) for young people experiencing homelessness, providing tailored support and pathways to safe housing.
• Lives Lived WellcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 June 2019Received $200,000 Better Futures grant to establish Nurture social enterprise - a sustainable farming and distribution co-operative in Logan providing training and employment pathways for young people.
• Mercy Community SEQcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 June 2019Received $200,000 Better Futures grant for Green Care Multicultural Mental Health Program improving mental health, wellbeing, community connection and employment outcomes for refugees and migrants.
• HELP EnterprisescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 June 2019Received $142,000 Better Futures grant for Champions of Change: Mental Health in the Workplace initiative building employer capacity to address stigma and support employees with mental health issues.
• Housing Panel Discussion PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 November 2018Panel discussion at Leading Reform Summit 2018 with QShelter, Queensland Council of Social Services, Dept of Housing and Public Works, University of Queensland, and Regional Housing Ltd addressing housing reform.
• Other Australian Mental Health CommissionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with mental health commissions across Australia including through National Consumer & Carer Forum and Fifth National Mental Health Plan for coordinated national mental health reform.
• Queensland Transcultural Mental Health CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration supporting culturally responsive mental health services across Queensland. The Centre celebrated 30 years of service in 2026.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• headspace (National Youth Mental Health Foundation): Federally funded national youth mental health foundation operating service centres; overlapping youth and early-intervention remit with QMHC's Children and Young People segment.
• Beyond Blue: Australia's leading mental health NGO with national reach across awareness, support services, and research — comparable in scale and stakeholder influence but operating via a different (NGO) model.
• Mental Health Commission of Canada: National-level mental health commission with a comparable strategic-plan, policy, and knowledge-dissemination mandate — useful comparable at a different (federal) scale.

Emerging players

• Black Dog Institute: Australian medical research institute focused on mood disorders, suicide prevention research, and workplace mental health — comparable on suicide prevention and workplace-stigma agendas.
• Orygen: National youth mental health research and treatment organization; comparable on youth mental health innovation and translational research relevant to QMHC's early-intervention agenda.
• QShelter: Queensland peak body for housing and homelessness services; a QMHC partner (Leading Reform Summit panel) with strong overlap on supportive housing and homelessness reform.

Direct peers

• SANE Australia: National mental health organization for people with complex mental health needs; an existing QMHC partner (Schizophrenia Awareness Week) and a comparable in lived-experience advocacy and public education.
• Western Australian Mental Health Commission: Another Australian state statutory mental health commission with parallel responsibilities for system reform, planning, and cross-sector coordination.
• Mental Health Commission of New South Wales: State-level statutory mental health commission performing the same role as QMHC for NSW — strategic planning, system reform, and stakeholder coordination across mental health and suicide prevention.
• Victorian Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission: Victoria's equivalent statutory commission established to drive mental health system reform — directly comparable in mandate, scale, and whole-of-government remit.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Qld_MHC
• Facebookfacebook.com/qldmentalhealthcommission
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/queensland-mental-health-commission
• Instagraminstagram.com/qld_mhc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Queensland Mental Health Commission