The role of the Community Visitor Program (CVP) is set out in Part 14 of the Mental Health Related Services Act 1998 (MHRSA).

CVP's jurisdiction in mental health includes monitoring and inspection of Approved Treatment Facilities (i.e. NT Government inpatient mental health wards) and Approved Treatment Agencies (i.e. NT Government community based mental health agencies eg: Tamarind Centre, Sub-Acute Facility).

The two main NT Government mental health service providers are Top End Health Service – Mental Health Service and Central Australian Health Service – Mental Health Service.

The protection of the rights of people receiving treatment from mental health services is one of the CVP’s main functions. Section 104(1) and s111(2) of the MHRSA allow community visitors and community visitor panels to look into the adequacy of services for assessment and treatment of persons receiving treatment under the Act.