Allied Health in Primary Care

Partnering with Allied Health for Stronger Primary Care

Allied health professionals make up one of the largest and fastest-growing sectors of the Australian healthcare workforce, playing a critical role in prevention, early intervention, and management of a wide range of health conditions across the lifespan.

At Gippsland PHN, we are committed to strengthening the impact of allied health in our region by fostering collaboration with general practice, offering tailored support, and creating opportunities through commissioning and grants. By building strong partnerships with allied health providers, Gippsland PHN strives to deliver more coordinated, person-centred care and improve health outcomes for the Gippsland community.

Allied Health Practice Engagement Toolkit

The Allied Health Practice Engagement Toolkit is a comprehensive resource designed to support allied health professionals in delivering high-quality care and strengthening practice operations.

This toolkit helps practitioners navigate the complexities of the local healthcare system while offering practical tools, insights, and learning opportunities to enhance both clinical outcomes and business efficiency.

Whether you’re looking to strengthen governance, improve digital integration, or access new training opportunities, the Allied Health Practice Engagement Toolkit combines practical tools, expert insights, and useful resources all in one place.

This free, easy-to-use toolkit is designed to support allied health professionals:

  • Navigating the local healthcare system in Gippsland, including information about Gippsland PHN and how to connect with other primary care professionals and referrers
  • Accessing services and resources offered by allied health peak bodies, including multi-profession peak bodies
  • Accessing education, training, and networking opportunities to build skills and capabilities to improve patient care
  • Enhancing clinical safety, quality, and governance with tools that support patient care and align with national programs
  • Streamlining business operations and accessing funding and grant opportunities to support business efficiency and growth
  • Adopting digital health tools and improving integration and connectivity across the healthcare system to support practice efficiency

Each section of the toolkit is structured around key topics, featuring a carefully selected collection of online resources, practical tools, and learning materials that can be directly applied to clinical practice or business management.

Toolkit FAQ

Answer:

Given the diversity of the allied health sector, the toolkit provides generalised material that is applicable to all allied health professions, and not specific to any profession.

Answer:

The toolkit does not provide a directory of local health services/providers. You can search for providers on Healthdirect’s Service Finder.

Answer:

The toolkit is one element of the reform agenda to strengthen engagement between PHNs and the allied health sector. It is part of a broader ongoing process, and builds on the National PHN Allied Health in Primary Care Engagement Framework launched in 2022. It is aligned with Australia’s Primary Health Care 10 Year Plan 2022, which highlights the need for a greater focus on allied health professions as part of primary healthcare, in order to improve access, outcomes, integration, safety, quality and cost-efficiency across the health system

Answer:

Consultations were held with all PHNs, allied health peak bodies, and large and small providers across the country, to identify topics and resources for inclusion in the toolkit.

Answer:

We welcome your feedback on the toolkit. If you have suggestions, comments, or questions, please get in touch with us via alliedhealth@gphn.org.au

National Allied Health Engagement Framework

The National Allied Health in Primary Care Engagement Framework provides a shared approach to how Primary Health Networks (PHNs) can work more effectively with the allied health sector.

Developed in collaboration with PHNs, allied health professionals, and national peak bodies, the framework outlines key priorities for improving engagement, supporting integration, and strengthening the role of allied health in primary care.

Its focus areas include improving communication, supporting workforce development, enhancing digital capability, and developing sustainable, patient-centred models of care.

At Gippsland PHN, we are using this framework as a guide to inform our approach to allied health engagement as we continue to develop our local strategy.

How We Support Allied Health

Please click the links below to learn more about our work to provide a variety of programs, services and resources for allied health professionals.

Gippsland Pathways

A clinical decision-support tool for GPs and allied health professionals to support referral pathways and integrated care.

Provider Connect Australia

An Australian Digital Health Agency initiative to help healthcare providers update their business information in a single place. 

My Health Record

Healthcare providers authorised by their healthcare organisation can access My Health Record to view and add to their patients’ health information.

Training and events

Explore free professional development opportunities.

Gippsland PHN newsletters

Keep up to date with updates from Gippsland PHN

Primary Care Research

Explore partnership opportunities and current research opportunities

Procurement & Tendering

Learn about tenders & procurement opportunities

Tell Gippsland PHN

Help us make better decisions by sharing your experiences and ideas about how we improve health and wellbeing in your community

Contact Us

Please direct any allied health related enquiries to alliedhealth@gphn.org.au

doctors in secondary schools program