The Bondi Incident Response program provides support to people in our region who have been significantly impacted by exposure to the major incident at Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025.
What is the Bondi Incident Response Program?
The program provides support to people with mild to moderate mental health concerns whose mental health has been significantly impacted by exposure to the incident at Bondi Beach. It is available to people residing in the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, Lithgow and Penrith areas who meet the eligibility criteria. Under this program, individuals can be referred for up to six free mental health sessions. GPs can refer patients to the program via an e-referral to Medicare Mental Health. Referring GPs will be notified of the assessment and any resulting referrals.
Eligibility
To be eligible for this program, people must meet these criteria:
- Live in the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, Lithgow or Penrith areas
- Aged 8 years or older
- Hold a valid healthcare card or pensioner card (not applicable for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples)
People who have already utilised their MBSfunded Better Access sessions, or PHN funded Psychological Therapy Services sessions in the calendar year, or who are experiencing high levels of distress not related to exposure to the Bondi Beach Incident, will not be eligible for this program.
Referrals
GPs can make an e-referral via HealthLink SmartForms to our local Medicare Mental Health Intake team, specifying it is for the Bondi Incident Response Program. The Intake team will complete an assessment of the patient and notify the referring GP of the outcome and any resulting referrals.
For assistance using the HealthLink SmartForms function in your practice management software, contact your Primary Care Engagement Officer on 4708 8100.
Funding
We have been allocated funding from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing to commission and implement this mental health program in response to the Bondi Beach incident on 14 December 2025.
Alternative Services for Your Patients
A range of free mental health referral options are available to support patients in our region:
