April 30th, 2025State’s first eating disorder treatment centre opens

The state’s first public residential eating disorder treatment centre is now complete.

Victorian Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt and Federal Assistant Minister for Health Ged Kearney this week opened the new centre which is named Ngamai Wilam and located at Armadale. 

Backed by a $16.9 million investment from Victoria and $13 million from the Commonwealth, the new 12-bed centre will be operated by Alfred Health and offer a unique 24/7 residential model of care for Victorians aged 18 and over in a therapeutic, home-like environment.

As a dedicated eating disorder centre, it fills a critical gap for Victorians experiencing eating disorders – moving beyond short-term hospital stays by offering 24/7 residential care with patients expected to stay for an average of 12 weeks. 

This wraparound support will also ease pressure on emergency departments, hospitals and GPs, while improving coordination across eating disorder, health and mental health services ensuring people get the right care, at the right time.

The name Ngamai Wilam was chosen through a co-design process and reflect cultural stories that symbolise hope, renewal and the promise of new beginnings.

The centre complements the Victorian Labor Government’s Victorian Eating Disorders Strategy 2024-31, which guides work to support Victorians living with eating disorders in three key areas – prevention and early intervention, accessible evidence-based treatment, and wellbeing and recovery support.

The Victorian Budget 2024/25 invested $31 million to expand tailored services and treatment options for eating disorders, responding directly to the sharp rise in new cases and relapses following the pandemic and the growing impact of social media – trends seen both in Victoria and around the world.