Avive Health and Emyria Limited (ASX: EMD) have expanded their Empax clinic partnership into Victoria, with Avive Clinic Mornington Peninsula announced as the state’s first hospital-based Empax Centre site, creating a new pathway for Victorians with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and treatment-resistant depression (TRD) to access psychiatrist-led assisted therapies within a private mental health hospital.
The expansion follows the successful commencement of Medibank-funded patient treatments through Emyria’s Empax Centre at Avive Clinic Brisbane, which has become the first site on Australia’s eastern seaboard to deliver the program within a hospital-based mental health environment.
The Mornington Peninsula site will become Victoria’s first hospital-based platform for the Empax program, signalling Emyria’s first operational pathway into the state.
The Mornington Peninsula hospital provides a purpose-built environment designed specifically for mental health care – single rooms with ensuites, circadian-informed lighting, landscaped therapeutic gardens, onsite gymnasium and dedicated group therapy spaces – aligning closely with the intensive, psychiatrist-led structure of Emyria’s Empax program.
The expansion follows increasing national recognition from both government and insurers of the need for new, evidence-based options for conditions such as PTSD and TRD, particularly for veterans and patients whose symptoms have proven resistant to traditional treatments.
Mark Sweeney, Co-Founder, Avive Health said:
“The announcement of our Mornington Peninsula hospital as Victoria’s first hospital-based site for Empax further strengthens our ability to provide safe, evidence-based alternatives for people with complex mental health needs. In partnership with Emyria, we are able to scale these therapies carefully and within the strong clinical governance frameworks that hospital settings provide.
Building on the commencement of Medibank and DVA-funded patient treatments in Queensland, this expansion into Victoria represents a significant step in making psychiatrist-led assisted therapies accessible to more Australians who need them.”
Greg Hutchinson, Executive Chair, Emyria added:
“Partnering with Avive Health allows us to deliver intensive, psychiatrist-led programs in environments specifically designed for mental health care. Expanding into Victoria through Mornington Peninsula marks another meaningful step in our national rollout strategy as demand continues to grow.
The innovative Empax model integrates psychiatrist-led therapy within a hospital governance framework, informed by Emyria’s growing real-world outcomes data.”
National rollout framework
Under an expanded agreement, Emyria holds an exclusive right to negotiate the establishment of Empax Clinics at all existing and future Avive Health sites nationwide, including planned developments including Avive Clinic Adelaide. This provides a capital-efficient and scalable model for extending psychiatrist-led assisted therapies across Australia within hospital-based environments.
Q: What is Empax Centre?
A: Empax Centre provides psychiatrist-led assisted therapy programs involving intensive psychotherapy. While the service is delivered within a hospital-based mental health setting to ensure the highest standards of clinical safety, it is an outpatient program, meaning patients do not stay overnight.
The Empax model combines expert psychiatric oversight with evidence-based psychological protocols to support adults living with PTSD or Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) who have not responded to standard treatments.
Q: Who is eligible for Empax Centre’s services?
A: The program is for adults (18+) who have a diagnosis of PTSD or Treatment-Resistant Depression and have not found sufficient relief from standard treatments. Clinical eligibility is determined by Empax’s specialist team.
Q: Is this an Avive service?
A: No. While Empax operates within the Avive Clinic, it is an independent service. Avive provides the clinical environment, but Empax is responsible for all intake, clinical assessments, and treatment protocols.
Q: Is funding available?
A: Funding may be available through Private Health Insurance, DVA, or work-cover insurers, depending on the individual’s coverage and eligibility. Please speak with Empax Centre to discuss your individual situation.
Q: Do I need a referral?
Yes. To be formally assessed, a referral is required from your GP or psychiatrist. However, interested individuals are encouraged to contact Empax directly to confirm their specific referral requirements.
A: When will the Empax Centre in Mornington Peninsula open?
A: Empax Centre at Avive Clinic Mornington Peninsula is expected to become operational in Q2 2026 (Apr-Jun) following standard regulatory approvals and completion of fit-out works. Empax Centre at Avive Clinic Brisbane open and operational (view announcement).
Q: How long is the waitlist?
A: Empax Centre’s team manages their own schedule and will be able to advise on current wait times.