Hawthorn Football Club president and former beyondblue chair Jeff Kennett has rejected suggestions it should be mandatory for AFL clubs to spend a certain amount of money on mental health experts.

The former Victorian premier said clubs should be encouraged to prioritise their employees' welfare rather than being forced to adhere to mandatory rules, after The Age reported the league was considering forcing clubs to spend a certain amount on mental health experts under the football department cap.

Former beyondblue chair Jeff Kennett has rejected suggestions that AFL clubs should be forced to spend a certain amount on mental health experts.

It comes as the nation's peak body for psychologists in Australia called for each AFL club to have a full-time, registered sports psychologist to ensure the mental health of players.

Australian Psychological Society chief executive Frances Mirabelli said the league needed to make it a priority to employ professionals who are trained to understand the pressures of playing sport at an elite level.