Executive General Manager's foreword

With health equity as WA Primary Health Alliance’s (WAPHA) North Star in our Strategic Plan 2023-2026, we are increasingly challenged by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing to focus commissioning decisions and funding that will best deliver access and measurable outcomes for under-served communities across Western Australia. This includes ensuring best value for money through commissioning integrated primary health care services that build capacity, capability and sustainability.

WAPHA has released our 2025–2027 Needs Assessments, identifying key priorities and informing and guiding our investment in community-based treatment and support services across the state. I encourage all commissioned service providers to take a look and consider how they can also inform your local planning and delivery.

The upcoming Service Provider Panel engagement will focus on our needs assessment and provide a deeper understanding of what this consists of, how it is derived, and how it informs our work and decision-making.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership and commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of Western Australians.

Kind Regards

Mark Cockayne

Executive General Manager Commissioned Services

General information

WA Primary Health Alliance seeks new Board Directors to help shape the future of primary health care 

WAPHA has launched a major recruitment drive to appoint several new board directors over the next two years, as part of a strategic renewal process.

Marking its tenth year of operation, WAPHA is looking to build on a decade of investment, over $1 billion in frontline health services, by bringing in fresh leadership to help deliver on the Australian Government’s ambitious health reform agenda.

Chair Dr Richard Choong said the board is seeking individuals who can bring a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in primary health care, including in rural and remote contexts, those who appreciate the importance of innovation, and applicants with strategic business and/ or digital expertise who can contribute different perspectives.

The organisation is also committed to reflecting the diversity of Western Australia’s population in its membership. Gender balance and representation from priority populations will be key considerations in the selection process.

WAPHA operates three Primary Health Networks across WA and provides shared services nationally.

Applications close Friday 5 September.

Learn more and apply

Youth Enhanced Services model in Perth South PHN region 

The Early Psychosis Youth Centre operated by Ruah and based in Cockburn concluded at the end of June 2025.

Following a competitive tender procurement process WAPHA has selected Neami National as the lead agency to deliver a newly established, region-based Youth Enhanced Services model. The service will be delivered within the Perth South Primary Health Network (PHN).

The new service will provide clinical treatment and associated support for young people aged 12-25 experiencing moderate to severe and complex mental health challenges, delivered by a collaborative multidisciplinary team. Referrals can be received by way of families, schools, headspace, GPs, hospitals or other primary care services.

Neami National is working closely with stakeholders across the region to co-develop the service and ensure it meets the needs of local young people.

The service is expected to launch from late September 2025.

Peel Youth Mental Health Navigation Coordination Service

The Peel Youth Mental Health Navigation Coordination Service is being established to help address identified barriers and service navigation challenges for young people in the Peel region.

WAPHA has selected 360 Health + Community as the lead agency to establish and operate the service following a competitive open tender procurement process.

The service will support young people 12-25 who have a mental health condition (whether diagnosed or not), and who experience one or more biopsychosocial complexities impacting their care, who are not currently engaged with a service. It will assist young people to develop recovery plans and support them to connect with appropriate services, via warm referrals.

The service will be integrated with both public mental health services and the broader services of the health, justice, education and welfare sectors, available to young people.

The Peel Youth Mental Health Navigation and Coordination Service is a co-commissioned service, funded by WAPHA and the WA Mental Health Commission and is expected to open in November 2025.

Tender opportunity: Medicare Urgent Care Clinics 

WAPHA, in conjunction with the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, is seeking expressions of interest from general practices to participate in the next tranche of Medicare Urgent Care Clinics for Western Australia. These clinics will be situated in Bateman, Ellenbrook and Mirrabooka.

Accredited general practices and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services located in these areas, as well as nearby suburbs, are eligible to apply, provided they can satisfy all relevant criteria.

Tender applications close 2 September 2025.

Find out more

Tender open for the establishment of after-hours general practice services 

WAPHA is commissioning after hours in general practice services with funding provided by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. The new services will be located within existing facilities, such as general practices. 

Commissioned after hours GP services will be expected to offer routine general practice appointments during after hours, including diagnosis, treatment, screenings, vaccinations, mental health advice, family planning, referrals, and chronic disease care. They will also provide treatment for non-urgent and non life-threatening illnesses.  

The services will operate a minimum of two days a week during the after-hours period and be staffed with doctors and nurses with training and experience in general practice care.

Tender applications close 25 September 2025.

If your practice meets the minimum requirements and you wish to apply, please visit WAPHA’s tenders for more details on the application process.  Please send enquiries to tenders@wapha.org.au. 

Medicare Mental Health phone service campaign 

A national campaign is planned to raise awareness of the Medicare Mental Health phone service, 1800 595 212.

The objective is to build on previous awareness efforts and drive increased recognition, access and use of the recently re-branded service (previously Head to Health).

This will comprise of a national digital campaign, using search and display adverts. Locally, each PHN will amplify the campaign. In WA, this will be via WAPHA’s social media channels. 

The campaign will target the whole of WA, noting the phone service is available to all Western Australians. It will become live during September.

Request for information: Byford Health Hub 

Byford Health Hub, scheduled to open in 2027, aims to deliver integrated outpatient specialist clinics, primary care, child health, mental health, and community health services to support the growing local population.

A state government election commitment, the Hub will be operated by East Metropolitan Health Service (EMHS). It will offer lease or licence opportunities for health and social service providers interested in delivering on-site services. EMHS is currently seeking interest from service providers who deliver primary care, urgent care, and/or medical imaging.

Providers keen to participate should respond to the upcoming Request for Information via Tenders WA and can consider registering to attend an online briefing session at 2pm on Wednesday 27 August.

News and media

Free online training for GPs and mental health professionals in treating depression and suicidality 

The GP Management of Patient Depression and Suicidality course, developed by the Rural Clinical School of WA in collaboration with Psychiatrist Dr Mat Coleman, is designed to enhance the skills of GPs and other mental health professionals in treating depression and suicidality.

Find out more and register now

WA Primary Health Alliance's 2025-2027 Needs Assessments now available

WAPHA takes a system-wide view of the health system in WA, by undertaking a comprehensive Needs Assessment every three years to identify unmet health and service needs and prioritise opportunities for planning and service delivery in primary health care.

Our 2025 -2027 Needs Assessments for each of our three PHN regions identify key priorities and these guide and inform our investment in hundreds of community-based treatment and support services across the state.

Visit the WAPHA website to access full and summary reports for Country WA, Perth South and Perth North PHNs, along with detailed regional summaries.

Procurement and contracting

Register to be notified of upcoming tenders.

Training and events

Resources