Suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians aged 15 to 44 years. The suicide rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is increasing. Reducing suicide deaths is a public health priority for all Australian governments. The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (DHDA) is responsible for administering a national agreement, providing policy advice and administering specific suicide prevention measures.

From 2022–23 to 2025–26, DHDA administered 41 suicide prevention measures with total Australian Government funding of over $990 million. This audit examined six measures with funding of $560 million. The Social and Emotional Wellbeing Policy Partnership was established to support policy development with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The report made six recommendations to DHDA aimed at clarifying roles and responsibilities and strengthening planning, policy advice, partnership, and monitoring and reporting arrangements. DHDA agreed to three recommendations and agreed in principle to three recommendations.

Key findings

• DHDA’s development and monitoring of suicide prevention measures is partly effective.
• Policy advice on national strategies and suicide prevention measures is not fully robust.
• Commitments to partner with First Nations people in policy development are partly met.
• Four to five years after several national agreements, objectives to reduce suicide have not been achieved. 
• While suicide prevention measures are evaluated, there is no framework to support measuring and monitoring the impact of the Australian Government’s suicide prevention investment.