Damien Mu

Leading life, health and wellbeing insurer AIA Australia has announced a new Premier Partnership with Beyond Blue, amplifying its long‑term commitment to improve the mental health outcomes of Australians.

The partnership brings together AIA Australia’s leadership in the life and health insurance industries with Beyond Blue’s national reach and deep expertise on mental health.

With a shared focus on prevention and early intervention, Beyond Blue and AIA Australia will work together to address rising mental health challenges and reduce the number of Australians reaching crisis before seeking help.

To kick off the partnership, the organisations joined forces with the Melbourne Storm for its Mental Health Round, in an effort to encourage people to Tackle Tough Together.

Around 43 per cent of Australians have experienced a mental health condition in their lifetime, with anxiety and depression affecting millions of people across all life stages^[1]. Despite record levels of public and private investment in mental health care, prevalence continues to rise, reflecting a system that is geared towards acute and crisis care, rather than prevention and early support^[2].

AIA Australia has reported an exponential increase in mental health-related claims, with mental health claims rising from around 15% of all disability claims in 2014, to approximately 26% in 2025 – a figure that continues to increase in 2026.

Beyond Blue CEO Georgie Harman AO said, “Accessing support early for yourself or someone you care about can prevent problems escalating. But too many people aren’t able to get that early support, only getting help once they’re really distressed or in crisis – and sometimes struggling for up to 10 years. At the same time, too many Australians simply aren’t getting the support they need, with a system still geared towards responding to crisis rather than preventing it.

“Through this partnership with AIA Australia, Beyond Blue has an opportunity to reach people sooner, meeting them where they are – in workplaces, communities and everyday moments – with effective, practical services and tools before things escalate.”

AIA Australia CEO Damien Mu said he believed the partnership held huge potential to drive meaningful change. “At AIA Australia, our purpose is to make a difference in people’s lives. We’re pleased that this partnership with Beyond Blue will help us achieve our ambition to help Australians live healthier, longer and better lives.”

Under the partnership, AIA Australia and Beyond Blue will prioritise:

• Earlier intervention and prevention, including insights, tools and digital solutions that encourage people to seek help sooner
• Workplace mental health – supporting employers to address psychological risks and promote mentally healthier work environments
• Thought leadership and advocacy, including policy reform aimed at reducing systemic barriers to early mental health support
• Community reach and impact, leveraging Beyond Blue’s engagement with one in six Australians each year

Mr Mu said that both organisations were eager to start working closely together and change the narrative on mental health.

“As a life insurer, we unfortunately see people when their mental health has deteriorated to a point where they are unable to work. What’s currently described as ‘early intervention’ is often happening quite late in someone’s experience and after they’ve lodged a claim.

“We believe that there are many strong opportunities to change this. For example, employers could offer targeted mental health support in the workplace that can deliver real preventative impact.”

“As a nation, we have become trapped in a “sick‑care” cycle. By focusing more on early warning signs and underlying contributors, we can support people sooner and reduce the risk of their mental health deteriorating.”

The post AIA Australia expands mental health commitment with Beyond Blue Partnership appeared first on AdviserVoice.

Damien Mu

Leading life, health and wellbeing insurer AIA Australia has announced a new Premier Partnership with Beyond Blue, amplifying its long‑term commitment to improve the mental health outcomes of Australians.

The partnership brings together AIA Australia’s leadership in the life and health insurance industries with Beyond Blue’s national reach and deep expertise on mental health.

With a shared focus on prevention and early intervention, Beyond Blue and AIA Australia will work together to address rising mental health challenges and reduce the number of Australians reaching crisis before seeking help.

To kick off the partnership, the organisations joined forces with the Melbourne Storm for its Mental Health Round, in an effort to encourage people to Tackle Tough Together.

Around 43 per cent of Australians have experienced a mental health condition in their lifetime, with anxiety and depression affecting millions of people across all life stages.^[1] Despite record levels of public and private investment in mental health care, prevalence continues to rise, reflecting a system that is geared towards acute and crisis care, rather than prevention and early support.^[2]

AIA Australia has reported an exponential increase in mental health-related claims, with mental health claims rising from around 15% of all disability claims in 2014, to approximately 26% in 2025 – a figure that continues to increase in 2026.

Beyond Blue CEO Georgie Harman AO said, “Accessing support early for yourself or someone you care about can prevent problems escalating. But too many people aren’t able to get that early support, only getting help once they’re really distressed or in crisis – and sometimes struggling for up to 10 years. At the same time, too many Australians simply aren’t getting the support they need, with a system still geared towards responding to crisis rather than preventing it.

“Through this partnership with AIA Australia, Beyond Blue has an opportunity to reach people sooner, meeting them where they are – in workplaces, communities and everyday moments – with effective, practical services and tools before things escalate.”

AIA Australia CEO Damien Mu said he believed the partnership held huge potential to drive meaningful change. “At AIA Australia, our purpose is to make a difference in people’s lives. We’re pleased that this partnership with Beyond Blue will help us achieve our ambition to help Australians live healthier, longer and better lives.”

Under the partnership, AIA Australia and Beyond Blue will prioritise:

• Earlier intervention and prevention, including insights, tools and digital solutions that encourage people to seek help sooner
• Workplace mental health – supporting employers to address psychological risks and promote mentally healthier work environments
• Thought leadership and advocacy, including policy reform aimed at reducing systemic barriers to early mental health support
• Community reach and impact, leveraging Beyond Blue’s engagement with one in six Australians each year

Mr Mu said that both organisations were eager to start working closely together and change the narrative on mental health.

“As a life insurer, we unfortunately see people when their mental health has deteriorated to a point where they are unable to work. What’s currently described as ‘early intervention’ is often happening quite late in someone’s experience and after they’ve lodged a claim.

“We believe that there are many strong opportunities to change this. For example, employers could offer targeted mental health support in the workplace that can deliver real preventative impact.”

“As a nation, we have become trapped in a “sick‑care” cycle. By focusing more on early warning signs and underlying contributors, we can support people sooner and reduce the risk of their mental health deteriorating.”

——–

Notes:
[1] ABS National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing 2020-2022
[2] Ibod.

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Caroline Stewart

Ecstra Foundation’s inaugural National Financial Wellbeing Summit last week highlighted the growing support for a nationally coordinated financial strategy as way of improving Australians’ financial and overall wellbeing.

The event emphasised the importance of building an integrated approach to financial wellbeing by supporting individual financial capability, while also addressing the broader systems, policies and market structures that shape people’s financial lives.

Bringing together leaders from government, business, education and community sectors, the discussion was focused on practical approaches to help build a better financial future for all Australians.

With an address from the Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services, Hon. Dr Daniel Mulino MP (pre-recorded), and a keynote delivered by ASIC Commissioner Alan Kirkland, sessions examined the drivers of economic inequality, the balance required between regulation and education, and how greater cross sector collaboration can influence financial, mental, and social health outcomes.

A key focus was on the importance of embedding financial education across schools, homes, and workplaces, to ensure young people develop the skills and confidence they need to make informed financial choices at key life stages.

Ecstra Foundation CEO Caroline Stewart, said the Summit came at a time of national momentum around improving financial wellbeing and literacy, particularly for young people.

“There’s increasing demand for practical, engaging financial education. We know that starting money lessons early builds lifelong knowledge and capability, and programs like our own Talk Money school workshops are helping normalise these conversations in classrooms and at home.

“Australia had been a leader in this space for many years. It was clear from the Summit there is strong support for Ecstra’s call for a more coordinated, national approach to financial capability. This would connect education, policy, and community initiatives to help every Australian build lasting financial wellbeing” she added.

Speaking at the Summit, Roset Khair, Vice President of Economics and Business Educators NSW, a leading advocate for financial literacy education, said there is growing support for schools to embed financial capability in the classroom.

“Financial literacy is an essential life skill and a foundation for overall wellbeing. Teachers see first-hand the positive impact when their students can connect financial concepts to real world decisions.

“Supporting schools-based programs are vital because they provide schools with curriculum aligned resources and tools to teach these skills effectively, while helping to build a culture where learning about money is normal and empowering,” she added.

Ms Stewart said that the Summit is an opportunity to connect classrooms, workplaces and communities with broader systems change.

“Talk Money is just one part of a bigger picture, to ensure every Australian has access to financial education, and that the systems around them support financial inclusion and wellbeing. Events such as the Summit show what is possible when education, policy, and community come together with shared purpose.”

Speakers at the Summit included:

• Dr Cassandra Goldie AO, CEO ACOSS 
• Georgie Harman AO, CEO Beyond Blue
• Miles Larbey, OECD’s head of financial consumer protection, Education & Inclusion Unit
• Leah Bennett, Managing director, First Nations Foundation
• Prof Roslyn Russell, RMIT
• Effie Zahos, 9News money editor
• Janet Liu, group head of social impact and community partnerships ANZ
• Xavier O’Halloran ,CEO, Super Consumers Australia
• Roset Khair, vice president, Economics and Business Educators NSW
• Phil Gardner, CEO ABCN 
• Gerard Brody, commissioner and chairperson, Essential Services Commission Victoria
• Michelle Wright, deputy head of communications and education, RBA
• James Kirby, associate editor – wealth, The Australian.

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