The Albanese Government is investing more than $18.1 million to support projects that improve the health and wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ Australians, with grants awarded to eighteen initiatives supporting our communities.
This includes $10 million to La Trobe University to deliver an innovative new program.
In partnership with ACON, Thorne Harbour Health and technology company Portable, the program will help LGBTIQA+ people find accessible healthcare that is safe, respectful and inclusive.
The program will establish a national voluntary training and accreditation scheme to support primary care providers to deliver safe, inclusive and affirming care for LGBTIQA+ people.
Professor Adam Bourne, Director of La Trobe’s Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS), will help with early intervention and preventative care.
“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.”
18 health initiatives receive funding
In addition, $8.1 million in grants have been awarded to 18 initiatives including national and state-based projects across the country.
The successful projects were selected through an independent assessment process administered by the national peak body, LGBTIQ+ Health Australia.
“This investment recognises the critical role that LGBTIQA+ community-led organisations play in delivering safe, inclusive and responsive health initiatives,” said LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (LHA) Board Chair Carolyn Gillespie.
“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 LGBTIQ+ Health Australia flag. Photo: supplied.Grant recipients include:
- ACON’s TransHub,
- Gay and Lesbian Welfare Association co-designed peer connection hub model, piloted with four regional, rural and remote Queensland organisations,
- InterAction will expand community-led programs, InterLink Psychosocial Support Service and Intersex Peer Support,
- Kimberley Blak Pride will develop and deliver a Rainbow and Aboriginal culturally safe training and resources
- Living Proud will employ two part-time LGBTIQA+-affirming counsellors in Western Australia,
- Meridian Inc’s Peer Pathways will reduce barriers, prevent escalation, and strengthen connection to safe, coordinated care,
- Minus18’s national digital platform for LGBTQIA+ youth reduces isolation, increases peer support and improves access to referrals for vulnerable and at-risk youth,
- Open Doors Youth Service will expand drop-in services to five days a week,
- People Living with HIV/AIDS Victoria will support LGBTQIA+ people aged 50+ living with HIV
- Queensland Positive People will deliver LGBTIQA+ affirming, HIV-informed mental health and AOD telehealth counselling alongside peer-led group programs,
- Rainbow Families Australia will deliver national culturally safe perinatal information and support for new parents,
- South Australian Rainbow Advocacy Alliance will strengthen preventive health for trans and gender diverse South Australians,
- Switchboard will culturally expand its nation-leading Bereavement and Postvention Program,
- The Gender Centre will provide integrated health and wellbeing support for transgender and gender diverse people,
- The Twenty-Ten Association will provide safe, accessible, peer-led counselling, care coordination and referral services in NSW,
- Thriving in Motion’s Youth Moves will deliver a safe, affirming physical activity program for LGBTIQA+ young people,
- Transcend Australia will provide resources to strengthen parents’ confidence, a key protective factor for positive health and wellbeing outcomes for trans kids,
- and YETI’s All North Youth (ANY) project will deliver psychosocial case management and train LGBTIQA+ young people as peer educators and health and wellbeing navigators across remote and regional Far North Queensland.
‘Healthcare that is accessible, respectful and free from judgment’
This funding responds to evidence that many LGBTIQA+ people avoid or delay seeking care due to experiences or fear of discrimination, and that almost half of LGBTIQA+ adults prefer mainstream services that are known to be inclusive.
“Every Australian deserves health care that is safe, accessible, respectful and free from judgement,” said Minister Butler.
“These grants will give LGBTIQA+ people better access to the health information and care they need, improving outcomes and communities.”
The grant programs align with the National Action Plan for the Health and Wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ People 2025-2035, released in December 2024 after the largest national consultation on LGBTIQA+ wellbeing ever undertaken by Government.
For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, and community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
