Monash Health to lead new Victorian Centre for Advancement in Allied Health

It will improve the visibility of the allied health workforce.

The Allan Labor Government has appointed Monash Health to establish and manage the new Victorian Centre for Advancement in Allied Health (VCAAH) to strengthen Victoria’s allied health workforce.

Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas announced the $3.4m investment to create the centre, which will serve as a central hub bringing together health services, universities, and unions to support and develop allied health professionals.

The VCAAH will focus on improving the visibility of the allied health workforce, supporting workforce planning, strengthening professional practice and policy, promoting evidence-based care, and developing leadership across the sector.

Monash Health was awarded the tender in May and has begun recruiting staff and finalising its operational and strategic plans.

Victoria has 42,500 allied health practitioners across 27 professions, including occupational therapy, speech pathology, radiography, and physiotherapy.

The Labor Government has expanded Victoria’s healthcare workforce by more than 50,000 staff, including over 7,000 allied health professionals.

Around one in four of these roles have been created in regional and rural areas, adding 9,500 new nurses, doctors, and allied health workers.

The Victorian Centre for Advancement in Allied Health is expected to open in the coming months.