Executive General Manager's foreword

With the recent agreement of the 2026–2031 National Health Reform Agreement (NHRA) Addendum, there is a renewed national focus on strengthening the performance, integration and sustainability of Australia’s health system.

A key theme emerging is shared stewardship and recognising that achieving better health outcomes requires coordinated effort across primary care, hospitals, community services and government. For commissioned service providers, this reinforces the importance of strong partnerships, clear referral pathways and a collective focus on person-centred care.

For WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA), this direction aligns closely with our commissioning approach. We remain focused on ensuring services are informed by local need, aligned to expected outcomes, and supported by clear and consistent performance and reporting frameworks. Just as importantly, we are committed to working alongside providers to ensure these expectations remain practical, proportionate and meaningful.

As the system continues to evolve, there will be increasing emphasis on integration, both in how services are designed and how care is delivered in practice. This presents an opportunity to strengthen connections across the sector, reduce fragmentation, and improve the experience of care for patients and communities.

Over the coming months, we will continue to engage with providers to share updates, seek feedback and support you in navigating these broader system changes. Our shared goal remains clear: delivering high quality, accessible and equitable primary health care for all Western Australians.

This will be my last newsletter as the EGM Commissioned Services, as I have recently resigned after more than seven years at WAPHA. Your ability to navigate change and firmly hold the purpose of your organisation at the centre is inspiring and has been a consistent attribute across the sector during my time in this role. I want to thank you for your ongoing partnership and the critically important role you play across our communities, and for the support provided to me in my time in this role.

Kind Regards

Mark Cockayne

Executive General Manager Commissioned Services

General information

Advancing cultural competency, equity and inclusion - Have your say

WAPHA is committed to diversity and inclusion and supporting our commissioned service providers to deliver equitable, safe and inclusive primary health care in WA.

Commissioned by WAPHA, Moorditj Koort Aboriginal Corporation (Aboriginal), SSI Diversity Training (Multicultural) and Sexual Health Quarters (LGBTIQA+) will be reaching out to our commissioned service providers and key stakeholders over the next month via a needs assessment to identify current strengths, priority gaps and practical support needs relating to cultural safety, equity and inclusion. Many providers have highlighted the need for resources that will support changed requirements and expectations – so, whilst your participation is not mandatory, we trust that you will engage in a way that will best support your staff and the many people accessing your services.

These conversations will build on our Cultural Competency and Capability Frameworks and the consultations we have already had and will help shape training and resources for you that reflect your context, priorities and service needs.

Menopause and perimenopause: New campaign and clinical resources 

The Australian Government will soon launch a public awareness campaign to increase understanding of perimenopause and menopause for women aged 35+. The campaign will direct people to general information on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website and encourage those needing further support or treatment advice to speak with their GP.

Over coming months, new information and resources will be developed for health professionals to share with patients. In the meantime, clinicians can access training and tools now, including CPD courses from Jean Hailes for Women’s Health, a practitioner toolkit from Monash University, and education modules, guidelines and webinars from the Australasian Menopause Society. Resources also include the Minymaku Kutju Tjukurpa Women’s Business Manual for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers.

The QUM Alliance QHUB offers webinars, a clinical guide and a decision aid to support shared decision-making. Reminder: MBS items 695 and 19000 commenced 1 July 2025.

Fuel supply: Service impact survey 

WAPHA is taking a proactive, coordinated approach to the current fuel supply situation as part of our system stewardship role. 

General practices and commissioned service providers are strongly encouraged to complete our short survey to provide service and location‑specific information. 

Responses will be used to identify emerging risks, inform coordinated system responses, escalate issues to State and Commonwealth partners, and strengthen advocacy to support continuity of care. 

WAPHA is working alongside government and sector partners, including through the WA Health System Fuel Supply Monitoring Group. 

Learn more 

News and media

New YFlex service expands mental health support for young people in Perth and Rockingham 

More young people can now access enhanced, flexible mental health support with the launch of YFlex, a community-based youth mental health service located in Burswood, Mandurah and Rockingham.

 
The Australian Government funded service is designed for young people aged 12 to 25 who are experiencing moderate to severe mental health challenges and need more support than lower intensity services alone can provide.

Read more

Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention visits WA

It was a pleasure to welcome Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Emma McBride, during her recent visit to WA. She met with local service providers including headspace Broome, Broome Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, Midland Medicare Mental Health Centre and headspace Bunbury, to hear firsthand about the important work they are doing to support the community.

These services are supported by funding from the Australian Government under the PHN Program and commissioned by WAPHA.

Reflections on collaborative commissioning and the path forward

As Western Australia embarks on its statewide collaborative commissioning partnership, health leaders are looking to Queensland’s experiences for critical lessons.

At the WA Collaborative Commissioning Partnership Forum, Lucille Chalmers, CEO of the Darling Downs and West Moreton Primary Health Network, shared a candid assessment of what worked and what didn’t in the sunshine state.

Procurement and contracting

Care finders recommissioning update

WAPHA is recommissioning care finder services across WA. This is a free service specifically for older people who need intensive support to access aged care and other relevant supports.

We can confirm that while some service providers may change as a result of this process, all areas currently served by care finders will continue to have access.

Perth North and South PHNs:  The following providers have been commissioned to deliver care finder services until 30 June 2029.

Perth North PHN

• Advocare Incorporated
• Chung Wah Association
• People Who Care
• Tuart Place (open for intake from 1 July 2026)
• Umbrella Multicultural Community Care 

Perth South PHN

• Advocare Incorporated
• Chung Wah Association
• People Who Care
• Tuart Place
• Umbrella Multicultural Community Care  

Country WA PHN: The procurement process is ongoing with all existing care finder providers in place until 30 June 2026. We will provide an updated list of providers when the procurement process concludes and services are finalised.

Indexation FY27

We would like to provide clarification regarding indexation arrangements applicable to your contract with WAPHA. Consistent with WAPHA’s contractual framework, indexation can only be applied where there is a corresponding increase in WAPHA’s funding from the Department.

In practice, this means:

• Indexation is not automatically applied to contracts.
• The application of indexation is dependent on formal advice and direction from the Department, including confirmation of funding availability and conditions.
  

WAPHA continues to engage with the Department and is awaiting further advice in relation to funding settings, including any potential indexation. We acknowledge the importance of this information for your planning and operations and will provide further updates as soon as formal advice is received.

In the interim, current contract terms and funding arrangements remain unchanged unless otherwise formally varied.

Changes to Aspire sign-in page 

From 23 May, the Aspire sign-in page will look a little different, reflecting enhanced capabilities for advanced secure authentication. These changes come directly from Oracle as part of their upgrade. 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  

Communication Guide for Commissioned Service Providers - Updated

WAPHA has recently updated our Communication Guide for Commissioned Service Providers. If you have any questions, or need any help with the interpretation and application of the information in this guide, please contact our Communications and Marketing team at communications@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

Resources