About the initiative
This initiative brings together resources in health, aged care, disability, and veterans’ care to better support and coordinate services in rural, remote and First Nations communities.
It supports communities to :
- identify what better access to care looks like for them
- design sustainable solutions
- run trials that tailor care and support to local needs.
The initiative is being delivered across 6 trial sites. These are places where communities are facing a shortage in care and support services.
This initiative is part of our reforms to strengthen Medicare.
Why it is important
Care and support in rural and remote areas is often harder to access compared to larger cities. This can be because of long travel times, workforce shortages or limited service options.
Some First Nations communities also have limited access to culturally safe care and services.
Standard approaches to care do not always work for these regions, and there is a need for more collaborative, community-driven solutions.
The initiative helps:
- promote community-led activities and local solutions
- bring together resources and systems
- share insights and lessons to inform sustainable solutions
- build partnerships that make the most of these opportunities and coordinate efforts.
Trial sites
Trials are underway in 6 locations.
- Kimberley, Western Australia
- Central West Queensland
- South-Eastern New South Wales
- Gippsland, Victoria
- North-West Tasmania
- Port Augusta/Whyalla, South Australia
Capacity building projects
Capacity building projects are a key component of the Integrated Care and Commissioning initiative.
These projects help to address local challenges identified by local communities and to build on existing strengths. Support may include:
- Business or service system consultancy including:
- reviewing business models
- identifying service gaps
- improving recruitment, employment and financial systems
- developing a transition plan to integrated models.
- Minor capital works including building upgrades and refurbishments to support expanded service offering and enable pooling of resources.
- Staff training and development to:
- create training for new and existing workers to expand into other care sector roles
- support for administrative staff to navigate the different care sector systems
- strengthen the organisation's financial viability.
- Communication strategies and products to uplift community awareness.
Who we work with
To deliver the initiative, we work with:
- local stakeholders
- state, territory and local governments
- Primary Health Networks
- service delivery organisations.
The initiative is delivered in partnership with:
- National Disability Insurance Agency
- Department of Veterans’ Affairs
- National Indigenous Australians Agency
