Australia Launches New Health Support Pilot for New Fathers
SYDNEY — September 6, 2026: New South Wales has announced a new health initiative aimed at improving support for new and expecting fathers, with the state government committing A$1 million to a partnership with men’s health organisation Movember.
The pilot programme will introduce dedicated health and wellbeing checks for fathers during the pregnancy and early stages of a child’s life. The initiative will include attention to mental health, allowing healthcare professionals to identify concerns and connect fathers with appropriate services and information.
NSW Health said the programme is designed to address a gap in existing perinatal care, which traditionally places greater emphasis on mothers and babies. Fathers participating in the pilot will also receive information about community resources and pathways for seeking mental-health assistance when needed.
According to the NSW Government, depression affects around one in ten fathers from pregnancy through the first year after a child’s birth, while anxiety can also affect a significant proportion of men during pregnancy and the postnatal period. The new checks are intended to help identify difficulties earlier and encourage fathers to seek support before problems become more serious.
The initiative builds on broader mental-health spending announced by the NSW Government in its 2025–26 budget. That package includes funding for Lifeline crisis services, the NSW-Commonwealth mental-health agreement and organisations representing the mental-health sector.
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said the programme recognises that becoming a father can bring major emotional and lifestyle changes and that some men may find it difficult to ask for help. Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson also said supporting fathers can have wider benefits for families and communities.
The programme represents a shift toward including fathers more directly in perinatal healthcare, with the government seeking to make mental-health support available alongside existing services for mothers and children.
