The Australian Government is investing more than $18.1 million in projects designed to improve the health and wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ people, including a new national programme to help communities find safe and inclusive healthcare.
Eighteen community initiatives will receive funding, while $10 million has been awarded to La Trobe University to develop an innovative healthcare training and accreditation programme.
La Trobe will deliver the programme in partnership with ACON, Thorne Harbour Health and technology company Portable.
The initiative will help LGBTIQA+ people identify accessible healthcare services that are safe, respectful and inclusive.
It will also establish a voluntary national training and accreditation scheme to support primary healthcare providers in delivering affirming care to LGBTIQA+ patients.
Professor Adam Bourne, director of La Trobe University’s Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, said the programme would support preventive healthcare and earlier intervention.
“By improving access to inclusive primary care, the program aims to encourage earlier intervention and preventive healthcare, improve health outcomes and help reduce health disparities experienced by LGBTIQA+ communities.”
Eighteen health initiatives receive funding
A further $8.1 million has been awarded to 18 national and state-based community initiatives across Australia.
The successful projects were chosen through an independent assessment process administered by national peak body LGBTIQ+ Health Australia.
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia board chair Carolyn Gillespie said the grants acknowledged the importance of community organisations in delivering appropriate healthcare and support.
“This investment recognises the critical role that LGBTIQA+ community-led organisations play in delivering safe, inclusive and responsive health initiatives,” Gillespie said.
“We welcome the Australian Government’s commitment to supporting this work and look forward to seeing these projects contribute to lasting improvements in health equity and wellbeing for LGBTIQA+ communities nationwide.”
The funded projects include ACON’s TransHub and a peer-connection hub developed by the Gay and Lesbian Welfare Association. The hub will be co-designed and piloted with four regional, rural and remote organisations in Queensland.
InterAction will expand its community-led programmes, including its InterLink Psychosocial Support Service and Intersex Peer Support.
Kimberley Blak Pride will develop training and resources that are culturally safe for both Rainbow and Aboriginal communities, while Living Proud will employ two part-time LGBTIQA+-affirming counsellors in Western Australia.
Meridian’s Peer Pathways programme will work to reduce barriers to healthcare, prevent problems from escalating and strengthen access to safe, coordinated support.
Minus18 will continue developing its national digital platform for LGBTQIA+ young people, with the aim of reducing isolation, expanding peer support and improving access to referrals for vulnerable and at-risk youth.
Open Doors Youth Service will use its funding to expand its drop-in service to five days a week.
People Living with HIV/AIDS Victoria will deliver support for LGBTQIA+ people aged over 50 who are living with HIV.
Queensland Positive People will provide LGBTIQA+-affirming and HIV-informed mental health and alcohol and other drug telehealth counselling, alongside peer-led group programmes.
Rainbow Families Australia will deliver culturally safe perinatal information and national support for new parents.
The South Australian Rainbow Advocacy Alliance will strengthen preventive healthcare services for transgender and gender-diverse people in South Australia.
Switchboard will expand the cultural reach of its Bereavement and Postvention Program, while the Gender Centre will offer integrated health and wellbeing support for transgender and gender-diverse people.
The Twenty-Ten Association will provide accessible, peer-led counselling, care coordination and referral services in New South Wales.
Thriving in Motion’s Youth Moves initiative will deliver a safe and affirming physical activity programme for LGBTIQA+ young people.
Transcend Australia will develop resources aimed at strengthening parents’ confidence in supporting transgender children, which the organisation identifies as an important protective factor for positive health and wellbeing.
The All North Youth project, operated by YETI, will provide psychosocial case management across remote and regional Far North Queensland. It will also train LGBTIQA+ young people as peer educators and health and wellbeing navigators.
‘Healthcare that is accessible, respectful and free from judgement’
The funding responds to evidence that many LGBTIQA+ people delay or avoid seeking healthcare because they have experienced discrimination or fear they will be treated unfairly.
Almost half of LGBTIQA+ adults prefer to use mainstream health services that are known to be inclusive.
Health Minister Mark Butler said every Australian should be able to access healthcare without facing discrimination.
“Every Australian deserves health care that is safe, accessible, respectful and free from judgement,” Butler said.
“These grants will give LGBTIQA+ people better access to the health information and care they need, improving outcomes and communities.”
The grants align with the National Action Plan for the Health and Wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ People 2025–2035.
The plan was released in December 2024 following what the Government described as the largest national consultation on LGBTIQA+ health and wellbeing it had undertaken.
