Mental Health Commission
The Mental Health Act 2014 governs the treatment, rights, and care responsibilities for people with mental illness in Western Australia. The resources below are free to download and print for anyone who may need them.
Resources for Mental Health Services
- Fact sheet: Information Sharing - Clinicians' Powers and Responsibilities.
- Clinicians’ eLearning package – for more information and an overview of the roles and responsibilities under the Act, there is a dedicated eLearning package tailored to referrers.
- Clinicians' Practice Guide - published by the Chief Psychiatrist, the guide sets out to explain the Mental Health Act 2014, suggest how it should be interpreted and outline practices clinicians should adopt when performing a function under the Act.
- Checklists
- Flowcharts
- Posters
A medical practitioner or an authorised mental health practitioner can refer a person for an examination by a psychiatrist under a Form 1A – Referral when they suspect the person is in need of an involuntary treatment order.
The Mental Health Act 2014 contains the criteria for making referrals for assessment and outlines the referral process.
- Fact sheet: Information Sharing - Clinicians' Powers and Responsibilities
- eLearning - for more information and an overview of the roles and responsibilities under the Act, there is a dedicated eLearning package tailored to referrers.
- Information sheet - key information about requirements related to referrals
- Flowchart - a visual guide to the referral process under the Mental Health Act 2014
The Mental Health Act 2014 applies to non-government and private organisations. What this means for staff is explained below:
To learn more about the law, complete the eLearning training.
The Mental Health Act 2014 created the role of Transport Officers, whose job is to carry out Transport Orders. Transport orders are made where a referred person or involuntary patient needs to be transported from one place to another, and there is no other safe alternative.
- eLearning – for more information and an overview of the roles and responsibilities under the Act, there is a dedicated eLearning package tailored to Transport Officers.
- Information booklet
Mental Health Act 2014 brochures
- Being Referred To A Psychiatrist For An Examination
- Community Treatment Orders
- Information For Personal Support Persons
- Information For Voluntary Patients In Hospital
- Inpatient Treatment Orders
- Nominated Persons
- Receiving Treatment For A Mental Illness
Download brochures in other languages
We are unable to provide hard copies, however professionally printed copies can be ordered from Quality Press in Welshpool, which holds the print-ready files and can provide hard copies at reasonable costs. The minimum order quantity per brochure/item is 50.
Please contact: Amit Shah on 6254 9999 or amit@qualitypress.com.au (secondary, general, contact if needed: info@qualitypress.com.au).
Information for Community Members
Most people receive mental health care without the Mental Health Act 2014 applying. When it does, the Act provides essential safeguards, protections and rights that must be upheld.
People accessing mental health services are often referred to as ‘consumers’. Consumers play a key role in shaping the Act and continue to contribute through feedback processes.
If you are a carer, close family member, nominated person, parent or guardian of someone with a mental illness, you may be their ‘personal support person’. The Act recognises this role and grants specific rights.
The resources below provide accessible information about the law in various formats.
- eLearning – learn more about your rights and how this law applies to people experiencing mental illness and their loved ones, with our eLearning package for consumers and carers.
- Fact sheets
- Consumer handbook to the Mental Health Act 2014 – written by consumers for consumers.
- All persons affected by the Mental Health Act 2014 have the right to a Mental Health Advocate.
Other Services
| Agency | Role | Contact information |
|---|---|---|
| Mental Health Advocacy Service (MHAS) | MHAS is an independent statutory body that provides advocacy services to people effected by the Mental Health Act 2014, among others. | Free call: 1800 999 057 Phone: (08) 6234 6300 Email: contactus@mhas.wa.gov.au |
| Mental Health Law Centre (MHLC) / RUAH Legal Services | MHLC provides free advice and representation for people with legal problems directly related to their mental health challenges. This includes assisting involuntary patients under the Mental Health Act 2014. | Free call: 1800 620 285 Phone: (08) 9328 8012 Email: legalservices@ruah.org.au |
| Mental Health Tribunal (MHT) | The MHT is an independent decision-making body, established by the Mental Health Act 2014 to safeguard the rights of involuntary patients in Western Australia. The MHT can review involuntary treatment orders, among assessing other questions under the Act. | Phone: (08) 6553 0060 Email: registry@mht.wa.gov.au |
| Office of the Chief Psychiatrist (OCP) | The OCP is an independent statutory body that regulates care in the mental health system, including providing clinical standards, guidelines, advice and authorisations. | Phone: (08) 6553 0000 Email: reception@ocp.wa.gov.au (general enquiries) or clinical.consultant@ocp.wa.gov.au (clinical helpdesk) |
Page last updated8 September 2025
