Executive General Manager's foreword

As the health system continues to evolve, there is growing emphasis on understanding not only what services are delivered, but the difference they make. Governments, funders and communities increasingly want to see evidence of the impact, value and health outcomes achieved through investment in primary health care.

For commissioned service providers, this presents an important opportunity. While activity data remains essential, it tells only part of the story. Outcomes measurement helps us understand how services are improving access to care, enhancing people’s experiences, reducing inequities and supporting healthier communities. It provides valuable insight into what is working, where challenges remain and how we can continue to strengthen services for those who need them most.

At WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA), we are strengthening our commissioning approach through a greater focus on outcomes, evidence and continuous improvement. This means ensuring services are informed by local needs, supported by meaningful performance measures and underpinned by robust data and evaluation.

Everyday, commissioned service providers across Western Australia help people access care earlier, navigate complex health systems and connect them with the support they need. Demonstrating these outcomes ensures the value of this work is visible to policymakers, funders and communities, while informing future commissioning decisions and investment priorities.

As we continue this journey, partnership remains fundamental. By working together to develop meaningful and proportionate performance and outcomes frameworks, we can better demonstrate the impact of primary health care and continue improving the health and wellbeing of Western Australians.

Kind Regards

Fran Downey

Executive General Manager Commissioning

General information

Aftercare services launched to support Western Australians following suicidal crisis

The Aftercare Services Program has launched in Western Australia providing timely, practical and compassionate support for people discharged from hospital or emergency departments following a suicide attempt or suicidal crisis.

It has been designed to provide an interim safety net during the critical period after discharge, when people can be at heightened risk and may need support to reconnect safely with community, primary care, social supports and longer-term mental health services.

The program is jointly funded by the Australian Government and State Government, and co-commissioned by WAPHA and the Mental Health Commission WA.

WA Primary Health Alliance's Multidisciplinary Health Care Advisory Panel - latest meeting communique

WA Primary Health Alliance's Multidisciplinary Health Care Advisory Panel supports strengthened integration of multidisciplinary and allied health into primary care, improving access and equity, and supporting the design and implementation of multidisciplinary models of care.

Read the Communique from their recent meeting where they discussed the enablers and barriers to effective team-based care. 

Multicultural Reference Group - latest meeting communique

WA Primary Health Alliance’s (WAPHA) Multicultural Stakeholder Reference Group is made up of a diverse range of experts in the field of multicultural health service delivery and lived experience and provides insight and input to guide and support the implementation of WAPHA’s Multicultural Competency and Capability Framework and other related activities and initiatives.

Read the Communique from their recent meeting where they discussed the barriers to culturally responsive care, training needs, examples of good practice and preferred learning approaches.

Research participation opportunity: Understanding therapy approaches for anxiety

Mental health professionals across Australia are invited to participate in a University of Melbourne research study exploring the attitudes and treatment practices of therapists working with clients experiencing anxiety and related disorders.

The study seeks input from a diverse range of practitioners, including counsellors, psychologists, mental health nurses, occupational therapists, and social workers. Participants will be asked to complete a confidential online survey (approximately 20 minutes) about their professional background, therapeutic approaches, and perspectives on treating anxiety.

Express interest and access the survey here.

Department of Veterans' Affairs - expression of interest for allied health providers

As part of the Budget, the Government will be investing $169.7 million to increase fees for allied health providers from 1 July 2027. This is the largest investment in allied health fees for veterans in over 20 years and will help veterans’ better access the care that they need. 

Alongside this change, a $5,000 annual threshold on allied health expenditure each financial year will be established from 1 July 2027. This will help limit unnecessary over servicing, while still supporting veterans whose care needs go beyond the threshold where this is clinically indicated. 

Fee increases apply to chiropractic, diabetes education, dietetics, exercise physiology, occupation therapy, orthotist, osteopathic, physiotherapy, podiatry, psychology, social work, and speech therapy services. It does not include dental, optical or hearing services, or medical or specialist services. 

Psychology and counselling services delivered through Open Arms do not count towards the $5,000 annual threshold. 

From August 2026, DVA will consult with veterans, families of veterans, health service providers and peak bodies, and ex-service organisations on how the new arrangements will operate. Interested individuals can register their interest in being involved in allied health consultations until 5:00pm AEST 7th August 2026.

Expressions of interest - Lived Experience of suicide representatives for National Agreement Governance Groups

The Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing is seeking lived experience of suicide representatives to support the work of the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Senior Officials Group (MHSPSO), Data Governance Forum and National Mental Health Workforce Working Group under the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement.

The current National Agreement commits governments to working with people with lived experience in its implementation, including the design, delivery and evaluation of services. Lived experience representatives have been supporting the work of MHSPSO and its working and project groups through a mix of arrangements since their establishment. These arrangements are now being refreshed as part of broader transitional changes to governance during the 12-month extension period. 

A total of five lived experience of suicide positions will be available across MHSPSO and its working groups. Positions are for an initial 12-month period from July 2026 to June 2027 aligning with the 12-month extension of the National Agreement, with a possibility of extension.

Available positions:

- Two lived experience of suicide representatives to support the work of the MHSPSO Group - EOI.

- Two lived experience of suicide representatives to support the work of the National Mental Health Workforce Working Group - EOI.

- One lived experience of suicide representative to support the work of the Data Governance Forum - EOI.

EOIs close 14 August.

News and media

headspace outreach services to bring mental health support closer to home for young people in Derby and Katanning

Young people in Derby and Katanning will soon have improved access to mental health support through new headspace outreach services. Expected to be established by mid-2027, the services will provide locally connected support for 12–25-year-olds, including mental health care, wellbeing support, and assistance with work, study, and alcohol and other drug concerns.

Read more

WAPHA CEO visits Great Southern region

WAPHA CEO, Bernie Kenny, recently visited Albany and hosted meetings with WA Country Health Service, Rick Wilson MP, City of Albany Mayor and CEO, Dr Russell Young, Chair of the GP Collaborative, commissioned providers, residential aged care home providers, and local general practice teams. What was clear throughout is the strength of local collaboration. The Great Southern is a region where joint planning and partnership between providers is not just an aspiration, but something that is happening on the ground.

WAPHA brought clinicians together through two evening events, each attended by around 50 local clinicians and providers. The level of engagement and willingness to lean in and solve problems collectively was incredibly encouraging.

The visit also reinforced the scale of the challenges facing the region. Albany is experiencing one of the fastest growing ageing populations in the country, alongside housing shortages and limited aged care capacity. This is placing pressure on the system, including sustained demand on hospital beds for patients awaiting placement in residential aged care. Meanwhile, there are positive initiatives emerging locally, such as the City of Albany working to support workforce through land release for aged care staff housing, which show what can be achieved through local leadership and partnership.

WAPHA represented on WA Preventative Health Strategy Expert Group

WAPHA is proud to have contributed to the inaugural meeting of the Minister’s Technical Expert Group for the WA Preventative Health Strategy joining leading experts from across the state.

In a recent LinkedIn post, Sabine Winton, Minister for Preventative Health, highlighted the importance of the group’s work in shaping Western Australia’s first Preventative Health Strategy, recognising the diverse expertise brought together to help build a healthier future for all Western Australians. WAPHA’s involvement reflects our ongoing commitment to influencing system-wide reform and ensuring primary health care perspectives help inform the State’s preventative health agenda.

Procurement and contracting

Changes to Aspire sign-in page

You may notice the Aspire sign-in page will look a little different, reflecting enhanced capabilities for advanced secure authentication. These changes were introduced by Oracle as part of their upgrade in May. Continue to use your email address and password to login.

Note: You may be directed to reset your password. Weaker passwords will be forced to reset, so be sure to use a strong password if you are prompted to reset yours.

If you have any questions, please contact procurementsupport@wapha.org.au  

Current tenders

Health service providers and other organisations interested in hearing about and responding to tender opportunities are encouraged to register to receive tender notifications.

Training and events

Understanding voluntary assisted dying in practice

18 September | 9am – 5pm | The Hub, Bentley Technology Park or online

WA Department of Health invite you to learn more about voluntary assisted dying (VAD) in practice at these interactive sessions for medical practitioners, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, and team managers.

Register now

Resources