The Albanese Government has announced a significant investment of $18.1 million to bolster healthcare services for LGBTIQA+ Australians. This funding will support 18 community-led initiatives and a groundbreaking national program aimed at improving health outcomes and reducing disparities within the LGBTIQA+ community.
The initiative underscores the government’s commitment to fostering inclusive and affirming healthcare environments for all Australians, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
La Trobe University’s National Training and Accreditation Program
Central to this investment is a $10 million grant awarded to La Trobe University. In collaboration with ACONThorne Harbour Health and technology company Portable the university will develop a national voluntary training and accreditation scheme for primary care providers. This program aims to equip healthcare professionals with the skills necessary to deliver safe, inclusive, and affirming care to LGBTIQA+ individuals.
Professor Adam Bourne, Director of La Trobe’s Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS), will play a pivotal role in this initiative. The program seeks to encourage earlier intervention and preventive healthcare ultimately improving health outcomes for LGBTIQA+ communities.
Diverse Initiatives Funded Across Australia
In addition to the national training program, $8.1 million has been allocated to 18 initiatives spanning various states and territories. These projects, selected through an independent assessment process administered by LGBTIQ+ Health Australia aim to address the unique healthcare needs of LGBTIQA+ individuals.
Carolyn Gillespie, Chair of LGBTIQ+ Health Australia, emphasized the importance of these grants: “This investment recognizes the critical role that LGBTIQA+ community-led organizations play in delivering safe, inclusive, and responsive health initiatives.”
Notable Grant Recipients
The funded initiatives include a diverse range of projects, such as:
- ACON’s TransHub providing resources and support for transgender and gender diverse individuals.
- A peer connection hub model co-designed by the Gay and Lesbian Welfare Association, piloted in regional, rural, and remote Queensland organizations.
- InterAction’s expansion of community-led programs, including the InterLink Psychosocial Support Service and Intersex Peer Support.
- Kimberley Blak Pride’s development of culturally safe training and resources for Rainbow and Aboriginal communities.
- Living Proud’s employment of part-time LGBTIQA+-affirming counsellors in Western Australia.
- Meridian Inc’s Peer Pathways aimed at reducing barriers and strengthening connections to safe, coordinated care.
- Minus18’s national digital platform for LGBTQIA+ youth, reducing isolation and improving access to referrals.
- Open Doors Youth Service’s expansion of drop-in services to five days a week.
- People Living with HIV/AIDS Victoria’s support for LGBTQIA+ people aged 50+ living with HIV.
- Queensland Positive People’s delivery of LGBTIQA+ affirming, HIV-informed mental health and AOD telehealth counselling.
- Rainbow Families Australia’s provision of national culturally safe perinatal information and support for new parents.
- South Australian Rainbow Advocacy Alliance’s strengthening of preventive health for trans and gender diverse South Australians.
- Switchboard’s cultural expansion of its nation-leading Bereavement and Postvention Program.
- The Gender Centre’s provision of integrated health and wellbeing support for transgender and gender diverse people.
- The Twenty-Ten Association’s provision of safe, accessible, peer-led counselling, care coordination, and referral services in NSW.
- Thriving in Motion’s Youth Moves delivering a safe, affirming physical activity program for LGBTIQA+ young people.
- Transcend Australia’s provision of resources to strengthen parents’ confidence, a key protective factor for positive health and wellbeing outcomes for trans kids.
- YETI’s All North Youth (ANY) project delivering psychosocial case management and training LGBTIQA+ young people as peer educators and health and wellbeing navigators across remote and regional Far North Queensland.
Addressing Healthcare Disparities
The funding responds to evidence that many LGBTIQA+ individuals avoid or delay seeking care due to experiences or fear of discrimination. Almost half of LGBTIQA+ adults prefer mainstream services that are known to be inclusive. Minister Butler highlighted the importance of this initiative: “Every Australian deserves healthcare that is safe, accessible, respectful, and free from judgment.”
These grants align with the National Action Plan for the Health and Wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ People 2026-2035 released in. This plan is the result of the largest national consultation on LGBTIQA+ wellbeing ever undertaken by the government.
