Op-ed published in The Ararat Advocate, Pyrenees Advocate and Stawell Times-News on 14 August 2026
Young people often face unique challenges, including isolation. Limited access to essential services can mean spending significant time and money travelling to receive the support they need.
These challenges can lead young people to move to larger population centres and contribute to higher levels of psychological stress.
One way we can address these hurdles is by bringing support closer to home.
Last month, the Albanese Government announced a new headspace outreach program for Ararat, funded as part of a $27 million investment to deliver 20 additional headspace outreach services across regional and remote communities.
The service will help more people aged 12 to 25 access early intervention care without having to travel long distances for support.
There are currently over 40 headspace services across Victoria, with around 40 per cent located in the regions. The national network is expected to grow to over 200 services by 2028-29, made possible by Federal Labor’s $200 million investment in mental health support services.
Young people should be able to access mental health care when they need it, no matter their postcode.
Keeping our youth connected to regional Victoria is vital to our economy, food security and national identity.
However, investing in our regional communities must be holistic. It can’t be limited to one policy area or one service.
That’s why the Albanese Government’s further investment in Medicare has allowed nine more GP practices in Wannon to become fully bulk billing, taking the total to 24 fully bulk billing practices in the electorate.
This makes seeing a doctor easier and more affordable, with almost half of practices across Wannon now fully bulk billing.
Federal Labor is also making tertiary education more accessible in the region, with Country Universities Centre Southern Grampians opening earlier this year as part of the Regional University Study Hubs initiative. It’s one of 55 hubs around Australia, including more than 10 in Victoria.
These study hubs provide a welcoming and inclusive place, with quiet study spaces, high-speed internet, computers and support services.
For students in regional communities, this provides an alternative to long commutes, extended periods away from home or having to study remotely.
Young people are crucial to Australia’s future.
When we invest in the mental wellbeing, health and educational futures of regional young people, we strengthen their connection to their communities and give them more reasons to stay, contribute and build their futures locally.
This is how we ensure regional towns remain viable places to live, work and raise a family for generations to come.
