The mental-health group SANE says today's new federal mental-health package is overdue but should go a long way to meeting critical shortages in care.
The prime minister, John Howard, has announced a funding boost to mental-health services, promising 1.8 billion dollars over the next five years.
Medicare funding will be expanded so more mentally ill people can see psychologists, and families and carers will receive more support.
There will also be an increase in the mental-health workforce.
The executive director of SANE Australia, Barbara Hocking, says it is excellent news for the mental-health field.
"Certainly, the announcement today is of a very significant contribution to mental health. It's really encouraging news."
"It's good to hear the Federal Government is really taking this issue seriously and has been listening to all the concerns that have been raised over the last few years, and we do seem to have a pretty comprehensive package being outlined here."