New South Wales has taken a significant step forward in suicide prevention, with Parliament passing the Suicide Prevention Bill 2025. The new legislation establishes a coordinated, whole-of-government framework to reduce suicide and suicidal distress across the state. It recognises that preventing suicide is not the responsibility of any single service, but a shared commitment across government agencies, communities and individuals.
The Suicide Prevention Bill 2025 was shaped by extensive consultation with people with lived and living experience of suicidal distress, those bereaved by suicide, Aboriginal leaders, mental health organisations and community advocates. Their insights and courage informed every stage of its design, with aim to ensure that the legislation is grounded in the realities faced by those most affected and reflects the diversity of New South Wales communities.
Statewide suicide prevention plans
At the heart of the Act is a requirement for the Mental Health Commission of NSW to prepare and implement two statewide plans:
Suicide Prevention Plan – addressing priority populations, systemic drivers and evidence-based strategies.
Aboriginal Suicide Prevention Plan – co-designed with Aboriginal leaders and communities to ensure cultural insight and self-determination.
Both plans must incorporate lived experience perspectives, consider infrastructure and service impacts, and be reviewed at least every five years or sooner if directed by the Minister for Mental Health.
Agency suicide prevention plans
Every government sector agency – including key departments and the NSW Police Force – will now be required to develop its own suicide prevention plan. These agency-level plans must align with the statewide strategies and:
Address systemic risk factors within each agency’s sphere of influence.
Provide staff training to identify and respond to suicidal distress.
Respond to the specific needs of populations their services reach.
Agency plans will also be reviewed every five years.
New advisory councils
To embed expert and community guidance, the Act establishes:
These councils will advise the Commission and must include people with lived experience, sector professionals and representatives of communities disproportionately affected by suicide. Aboriginal Council membership must include Elders and recognised community leaders.
Strengthening information sharing
A confidential register of confirmed or suspected deaths by suicide will be maintained to monitor trends and inform prevention strategies.
Data may be shared with government agencies for research and early-intervention purposes, with strong safeguards to protect personal identities.
Reporting and Accountability
The Mental Health Commission will report annually on the progress of statewide and agency plans and publish summaries of advice from the new councils.
The Act itself will undergo a formal review after five years to ensure its objectives remain relevant and effective.
Regulations can be introduced to further support the Act’s implementation, and amendments to the Mental Health Commission Act 2012 clarify the Commission’s expanded role.
By weaving cultural insight, lived experience and data-driven strategies into every stage, from planning to reporting, this Bill represents a coordinated and compassionate step forward for New South Wales. Whilst the Bill is not a complete solution, it recognises that suicide prevention is not the responsibility of a single service, but a shared commitment across government, community and individuals.
