In early 2026, the Entities Legislation Amendment (Consolidation and Other Matters) Bill was debated in the Victorian Legislative Council. The Bill would impact carers in mental health (those caring for someone with mental health issues), making changes to lived experience representation and leadership in Victoria’s mental health system.
Many carers and sector organisations, including Carers Victoria, were concerned that the Bill would weaken lived experience leadership and oversight in the mental health and wellbeing system, rolling back hard-won reforms from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.
In this article, learn about:
There are 750,000+ unpaid carers in Victoria. According to Tandem, peak body for carers in mental health, 69,000 of these are carers supporting a person with mental health challenges. Many of these carers have said they feel devastated and repeatedly let down by the mental health and wellbeing system, and now they were about to face another let down.
The proposed Bill included changes that were not in the carers interest.
These included:
Carer organisations needed to move swiftly to advocate for carers.
Carers Victoria (CV) has consistently called for greater recognition and inclusion of carer-lived experience in decision-making and oversight bodies. Through submissions and input to Commonwealth and Victorian Government inquiries and strategies, CV pointed to the nation-leading arrangements in place in Victoria’s mental health system as an excellent example for other jurisdictions to follow. It was crucial that this representation was not diminished through amendments being considered by Parliament.
Uniting with Tandem, peak body for carers in mental health, and other sector partners, CV called for carers to add their voice. CV also included a link to Tandem’s online campaign in communications to carers, such as the Carers Victoria eNewsletter. As a result of the widespread campaign, more than 2,500 people sent emails to decision-makers via Tandem’s online campaign to express their concern.
As with all advocacy for unpaid carers, Carers Victoria CEO Judith Abbott said, “One of our biggest strengths is just how many carers there are across Victoria – and the more of us that can lift our voices, the more influential we become.”
As the Bill was debated in the Legislative Council (or Upper House), the Minister for Mental Health, the Hon. Minister Ingrid Stitt MP, said:
“Carers are a central voice in the governance of Victoria’s mental health sector, and I, as Minister, and my department will continue to work closely with Tandem, the peak body for carers in mental health, to ensure that the sometimes-unique perspective of carers continues to be reflected in our reforms and our decision-making.
“The government amendments, as we have touched on, will provide for lived experience for one of the Commissioners and also the make-up of the Collaborative Centre Board.”
Following this campaign, important amendments to the Bill were made.
These included:
Not everything was retained.
Tandem said, “It’s a mixed outcome, but one that shows the power of collective action”.
You can read Tandem’s full explainer to understand what changed, what didn’t, and why it matters, here.
Read Tandem’s plain language explainer of the changes brought about by the Entities Legislation Amendment (Consolidation and Other Matters) Bill 2025 and the role that our collective advocacy played in shaping the outcome, here.
Carers Victoria is the peak body representing unpaid carers across the state, including carers in mental health. We advocate for better recognition, resources and support, working directly with carers, and partnering with government and community organisations. Our aim is to improve the lives of carers, the people they care for, and their families.
Carers Victoria supports carers with advice, information, education and advocacy.
The Statewide Carer Advisory Service is designed to give carers quick, clear, expert information, advice, and helps them link to assistance.
