The Single Sharpest Fact

The Victorian government has rejected a $4.5 million funding plea from Kids Helpline, which has seen a 350 percent increase in crisis calls from its youngest users, mostly from Victoria, in just 7 years.

### The Raging Crisis in Victoria

Kids Helpline, a 24/7 life-saving service for children and young people in crisis, has been overwhelmed with 5190 children and young people needing immediate crisis interventions in 2025 alone. This is a 350 percent increase since 2018. These numbers approach the COVID-lockdown surge of 5823 urgent crisis responses in 2021.

### The Victorian Government's Decision

In a shocking move, the state government has refused to fund Kids Helpline despite the federal, NSW, Queensland, and Western Australian governments contributing to the life-saving service. Victoria's refusal means Kids Helpline is unable to meet the rising demand and its latest report reveals only 58 percent of young people reaching out for help gained a response.

### Kids Helpline's Latest Report

The Kids Helpline Impact Report 2025 reveals that 31 percent of its funding comes from the NSW, Queensland, and Western Australian governments, while the Commonwealth government provides 26 percent. Community and corporate supporters provide the remaining running costs.

### A Coalition Government Promising Change

Shadow mental health minister Emma Kealy has condemned the Victorian Labor government's decision, saying a Coalition government would get mental health reforms back on track and support frontline health services and workers.

### A Critical Piece of Service Infrastructure

Kids Helpline is a critical piece of service infrastructure in the state of Victoria, with more than 75 percent of all contacts to Kids Helpline from Victoria coming outside business hours. Yet, it is not receiving funding from the Victorian government.

### A Plea for Ongoing Contributions

Yourtown chief executive Tracy Adams said repeated pleas for ongoing contributions have been ignored, including a request for $4.5 million in the recent state budget. Adams emphasized that Victorian young people are the second-largest users of Kids Helpline and growing.

### The Victorian Government's Response

A Victorian government spokesperson defended the decision, saying Kids Helpline was largely funded by the Commonwealth, and the state was focused on supporting other forms of mental health support for young Victorians.

### A Question of Priorities

The spokesperson's statement raises questions about the government's priorities, as it has allocated $4.5 million for 'machete bins'. Shadow minister Kealy said the decision is a clear example of the government's misplaced priorities.

### Key Facts

  • 5190: The number of children and young people needing immediate crisis interventions in 2025.
  • 350%: The increase in crisis calls since 2018.
  • 31%: The percentage of Kids Helpline's funding from the NSW, Queensland, and Western Australian governments.
  • 26%: The percentage of Kids Helpline's funding from the Commonwealth government.
  • $4.5 million: The amount of funding the Victorian government refused to allocate to Kids Helpline.
  • 75%: The percentage of all contacts to Kids Helpline from Victoria coming outside business hours.

### The Australian Context

The refusal of funding for Kids Helpline raises questions about the state of mental health support in Victoria. The decision highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing mental health issues in young people.

### What's Next?

The Victorian government's decision raises concerns about the future of Kids Helpline and its ability to continue providing life-saving services to young people in crisis. The issue now falls to the community, corporate supporters, and the federal government to ensure Kids Helpline can continue its vital work.

'We see those numbers particularly around the two big key ones, suicidality and child abuse, where a young person is at such imminent risk of harm, either at their own hand or at the hand of someone else.'

  • Tracy Adams, Yourtown chief executive

### A Critical Time for Kids Helpline

The refusal of funding for Kids Helpline comes at a critical time for the service. With the number of crisis calls continuing to rise, it is imperative that the Victorian government provides the necessary support to ensure the service can continue to operate effectively.