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Partnership opportunities for local government

Partnership opportunities for local government

The Public Health Act 2016 states that the State Public Health Plan must describe how the Chief Health Officer proposes to work with local governments and other bodies undertaking public health initiatives, projects and programmes to achieve the objectives and policy priorities for:

  1.  the promotion, improvement, and protection of public health in the State; and
  2.  the development and delivery of public health services in the State

We all have a role to play in protecting and promoting health and wellbeing in our communities. Collaboration between Australian, state, and local governments is essential, along with the contributions of non-government organisations, research institutes and universities, businesses, community groups and individuals. Realising our vision for a healthier WA relies on collective efforts to enhance the built, natural, social, and economic environments that foster and safeguard health and wellbeing.

WA Department of Health and state government agencies

State government agencies are responsible for State-wide development, coordination, funding, and delivery of a wide range of policies, programs, and services.

The Department of Health provides leadership in public health by setting evidence-based policy direction, providing expert information and resources, facilitating access to data, and connecting partners to broader health-promoting networks.

A comprehensive list of WA government agencies is available on the WA government website.

Health Service Providers (HSPs)

The WA health system comprises the Department of Health and the Health Service Providers (HSPs), as established by the Health Services Act 2016. The Department of Health is led by the Director General and has the role of System Manager, responsible for the strategic direction, oversight, and management of the WA health system.  Each HSP is responsible and accountable for the delivery of safe, high quality, and efficient health services to their local areas and communities. 

WA Health’s HSPs are:

Each metropolitan HSP (NMHS, SMHS, and EMHS) operates health promotion teams to support public health efforts:

Communicable disease control in the metropolitan area is managed by the Boorloo (Perth) Public Health Unit under NMHS governance.

WACHS oversees seven regional public/population health units (PHUs) across:

Regional PHUs deliver a range of public health services, including immunisation, communicable disease control, environmental health, and health promotion.

Health Service Providers and local governments

Local governments have a leading role to play in public health due to the range of services they provide to the community, and the effect that these services can have on their community’s health and wellbeing. Collectively, these services influence the social determinants of health for residents. These include:

  • infrastructure and property services including local roads, bridges, footpaths, drainage, waste collection and management
  • provision of recreation facilities such as parks, sports fields and stadiums, golf courses, swimming pools, sport centres, halls, camping grounds and caravan parks
  • health services including water and food inspection, immunisation services, toilet facilities, noise control and meat inspection and animal control
  • community services, such as child-care, aged care and accommodation, community care and welfare services
  • building services, including inspections, licensing, certification and enforcement
  • planning and development approval
  • administration of facilities, such as airports and aerodromes, ports and marinas, cemeteries, parking facilities and street parking
  • cultural facilities and services, including libraries, art galleries and museums
  • water and sewerage services in some parts of the state

Health Service Providers can provide support to local governments within their area to assist them in developing their local public health plans, in line with Part 5 of the Public Health Act 2016. 

Examples of local public health planning support from Health Service Providers include:

  • health and wellbeing policy development
  • public health planning including support in obtaining health status data to inform population scanning and community needs analysis
  • local government health and wellbeing profile development
  • creating and advocating for environments that support healthy lifestyle choices
  • health grant and funding application support
  • community engagement, with a focus on vulnerable populations
  • health and wellbeing programs - planning and evaluation support.

Contact details for HSP health promotion units or public/population health units.

Non-government agencies

There are several WA based and national non-government agencies and volunteer groups with which local governments may seek to partner. The list below of agencies is not  exhaustive.

Search the WA Health Promotion Directory for agencies and programs in your area that may be able to support your planning priorities.

Promotes and supports public health advocacy in Western Australia. PHAIWA's activities include general advocacy, conducting research and projects, building advocacy capacity within the public health workforce, and communicating through partners and the media.

PHAI’s Public Health Planning Advisory Service provide several case studies from local governments who have developed their plans.

Partnership opportunities that align with draft objectives and priorities for the upcoming State Public Health Plan

Objective: Improve Aboriginal health and wellbeing

Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia

The Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia (external site) is the leading authority for Aboriginal health in Western Australia, supporting and acting on behalf of their 23 Member Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) across the state, offering support, advocacy and influence; building capacity, and strengthening the Sector to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal people and their communities.

Objective: Promote – foster strong communities and healthier environments

Carers WA

Carers WA (external site) is A not-for-profit, community based organisation and registered charity dedicated to improving the lives of family and friend carers living in Western Australia.

Heart Foundation

The  Heart Foundation (external site) is an organisation is committed to making it easier for Australians to lead heart-healthy lives and support the creation of healthy built environments and help planners, developers and communities work towards creating healthier streets, towns, and cities. Such programmes include the healthy active by design programme.

Homelessness Australia

The Homelessness Australia (external site) is the national peak body for homelessness in Australia that provide systemic advocacy for the homelessness sector. Homelessness Australia works in collaboration with homelessness assistance services, state and national homelessness peak organisations, other peak organisations, government agencies and the broader community.

Nature Play WA

Nature Play WA (external site) is an incorporated not-for-profit association established to increase the time Western Australian children spend in unstructured play outdoors and in nature.

Parks and Leisure Australia (WA)

Parks and Leisure Australia (external site) is the peak industry association for professionals working in the parks and leisure sector in Australia. Through a broad range of services this agency supports members to provide opportunities that strengthen communities through good use of leisure time for the social, environmental, economic, and physical wellbeing of all Australians.

Shelter WA

Shelter WA (external site) is an independent organisation working to promote accessible, affordable, appropriate, and secure housing. It works with stakeholders across the housing continuum, including individuals and organisations providing social and affordable housing and services aimed at preventing homelessness and responding to those in greatest need.

Volunteering WA

Volunteering WA (external site) aims to build strong communities through volunteering and provides a range of resources, services and support so that people in Western Australia are aware of and understand the nature and scope of volunteer activity.

Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia (YACWA)

Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia (external site) is the peak non-government youth organisation in WA.

Youth Focus

An independent Western Australian not-for-profit working to stop youth suicide. Youth Focus works with young people aged 12-25 to help them overcome issues associated with depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts through the provision of free, unlimited and professional face-to-face individual counselling and other mental health services.

Objective: Prevent – reduce the burden of chronic disease, communicable disease and injury

Australian Council on Smoking and Health

The Australian Council on Smoking and Health (external site) Advocates for reducing tobacco and vaping in Australia, aiming for a smoke-free nation by 2030. It offers resources, policy support, and education.

Cancer Council WA

Cancer Council WA (external site) Supports local governments in public health planning by providing resources on cancer prevention, early detection, and interventions. Their publications cover topics such as tobacco control, sun safety, nutrition, and alcohol reduction. These materials can aid in developing informed policies and programs to reduce cancer risk across communities.

Diabetes WA

Diabetes WA (external site) Informs, educates, and supports thousands of Western Australians, helping them to better manage their diabetes. This in turn enables them to lead happier, healthier lives.

Foodbank WA

Foodbank WA (external site) supports local governments by providing data, resources, and collaboration opportunities to address food insecurity in communities. It can help public health planning by ensuring access to nutritious food, reducing hunger-related health disparities.

Foodcore Nutrition Services (Formerly WA School Canteens Association)

Foodcore Nutrition Services (external site) can support local governments in public health planning by promoting healthier food environments in schools, workplaces, and community venues. It provides resources like menu assessments, training, and initiatives like “Fuel to Go & Play,” which focus on offering nutritious options. This aids in creating supportive environments that enhance community health outcomes.

Immunisation Alliance WA

Immunisation Alliance WA (external site) is made up of members of the public, health students and professionals, and parents, who are dedicated to seeing children and adults protected from dangerous, but preventable diseases.

Injury Matters

Injury Matters (external site) Supports local governments in public health planning by focusing on injury prevention, safety promotion, and recovery support. It offers programs like falls prevention, road trauma support, and substance harm reduction. By providing training, resources, and research, Injury Matters helps local governments develop targeted strategies to enhance community safety and health outcomes.

Western Australian Network of Alcohol and Other Drug Agencies (WANADA)

WANADA (external site) is an independent, membership-driven not-for-profit organisation that takes a ‘whole-of-community’ approach to alcohol and other drug issues.

Objective: Protect – protect against public and environmental health risks, effectively manage emergencies and lessen the health impacts of climate change
  • Climate Justice Union

    Supports local governments in public health planning by fostering community-led climate action, emphasising fair and inclusive transitions, and addressing climate-related health inequalities. It provides resources and training to ensure that vulnerable groups, including First Nations communities, are central to planning and decision-making.

  • Healthy Environments and Lives (HEAL) Network

    Provides the evidence, capacity and capability and tools to:

    • Protect and improve community health, especially at-risk groups and people in regions and communities disproportionately affected by environmental and climate change
    • Strengthen health system resilience, preparedness and responsiveness to changing environmental conditions, climate extremes, and related diseases, and reduce its environmental impact
    • Reduce inequities and inequalities within and across communities and generations.
  • Hepatitis WA

    A community-based organisation working together to provide services and empower those affected by and living with viral hepatitis.

  • Peer Based Harm Reduction WA

The only peer-based harm reduction organisation in the state. A priority focus is people who inject drugs who have increased risks associated with their use, including the transmission of blood-borne viruses.

  • WAAC (Formerly the WA AIDS Council)

Its purpose is to optimise the health and wellbeing of all, through reducing the impact of stigma and discrimination, improving access to health services and information and reducing transmission of HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and blood-borne viruses (BBVs).

wa.gov.au