History and Background
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia was formerly known as the National LGBTI Health Alliance. It was established to provide a coordinated national voice for organizations and professionals working in LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing.
The organization brings together community organizations, service providers, researchers and other stakeholders to address health inequalities and promote inclusive service delivery. Its Strategic Plan 2024–2029 outlines its priorities for strengthening national leadership, supporting members and improving health outcomes across Australia.
Mission and Objectives
LHA envisions healthy LGBTIQ+ individuals, communities and organizations that are free from stigma and discrimination and have access to safe, affirming and accessible services.
Its main objectives include:
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Improving access to inclusive and appropriate healthcare.
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Addressing health inequalities and discrimination affecting LGBTIQ+ communities.
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Strengthening the capacity of healthcare providers and community organizations.
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Promoting evidence-based policy, research and advocacy.
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Supporting mental health and suicide prevention initiatives.
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Improving inclusion in aged care, disability services and palliative care.
- Encouraging collaboration among community organizations, researchers and government institutions.
Governance and Organizational Structure
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia is a public company limited by guarantee and operates as a national peak organization. Its work is guided by its constitution, strategic plan and membership network.
The organization follows four foundational pillars:
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Policy and Influence: Advocating for policy and system changes that improve health and wellbeing.
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Member Engagement and Support: Connecting with member organizations and incorporating their expertise into national work.
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Partnerships and Collaboration: Building relationships with government agencies, service providers, researchers and community stakeholders.
- Capacity Building: Supporting organizations and professionals to provide more inclusive and effective services.
Major Programmes and Initiatives
LHA delivers national programmes and resources designed to improve healthcare access, strengthen community support and help service providers respond to the needs of LGBTIQ+ people.
1. LGBTIQA+ Health Program
The LGBTIQA+ Health Program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and administered by LGBTIQ+ Health Australia.
The programme provides competitive grants to organizations offering health and wellbeing services to LGBTIQ+ people. It supports new and existing initiatives at local, regional and national levels, with the aim of improving access to appropriate, culturally safe and inclusive healthcare.
Both streams offer funding for projects lasting up to 17 months.
Eligible organizations should consult the official guidelines for detailed requirements, assessment criteria and application procedures.
2. QLife – Peer-to-Peer Support
QLife provides anonymous peer support and referral services for LGBTIQ+ people across Australia. It offers a safe environment for individuals seeking to discuss sexuality, gender identity, relationships, bodies and emotional wellbeing.
The initiative helps connect people with appropriate support and information while addressing isolation and barriers to accessing services.
3. Silver Rainbow – Inclusive Aged Care
Silver Rainbow works to improve the experiences of LGBTIQ+ people as they age and enter the Australian aged-care system. The initiative promotes understanding, inclusion and culturally appropriate care for older people with diverse sexualities, genders and bodies.
It also helps aged-care providers develop more welcoming and respectful services.
4. MindOUT – Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
MindOUT develops and delivers national initiatives to help mental health and suicide prevention services better understand and respond to the needs of LGBTIQ+ communities.
Its work focuses on improving service capacity, promoting inclusive mental healthcare and addressing factors that contribute to mental health inequalities.
5. National Palliative Care Project
The National Palliative Care Project aims to strengthen the capacity of the palliative care sector to provide culturally appropriate services to LGBTIQ+ people.
Its activities include developing e-learning resources for general practitioners and practice nurses to improve knowledge and understanding of inclusive palliative care.
6. EmployableQ – Disability Inclusion
EmployableQ provides a toolkit to help organizations develop inclusive, welcoming and safe workplaces for LGBTIQ+ people with disability.
The toolkit supports employers and organizations in identifying barriers, improving workplace practices and strengthening disability inclusion.
Research, Policy and Advocacy
LHA works with researchers, member organizations and other stakeholders to develop evidence-based policy submissions and advocate for improved healthcare systems.
Its LGBTIQ+ Health and Wellbeing Research Network connects researchers and organizations, promotes research collaboration and helps address gaps in evidence about the health and wellbeing of LGBTIQ+ Australians.
Funding Priorities
Through its grant administration and wider programme activities, LGBTIQ+ Health Australia supports initiatives addressing the following priorities:
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Inclusive and accessible healthcare services.
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Mental health and suicide prevention.
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Community-based health and wellbeing programmes.
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Aged-care and palliative-care inclusion.
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Disability inclusion and accessible workplaces.
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Healthcare workforce training and capacity building.
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Research, evidence generation and policy development.
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Improved health outcomes for underserved LGBTIQ+ communities.
Who Can Apply for Funding?
The LGBTIQA+ Health Program is particularly relevant to organizations with specialist expertise in LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing.
Potential applicants may include:
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Registered nonprofit and community organizations.
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LGBTIQ+-led and community-controlled organizations.
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Health and wellbeing service providers.
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Organizations delivering mental health and suicide prevention services.
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Community organizations working with underserved populations.
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Organizations developing inclusive healthcare programmes and professional training.
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Partnerships between eligible organizations and specialist service providers.
Applicants must meet the eligibility and organizational requirements outlined in the relevant grant guidelines. The programme is focused on services for LGBTIQ+ people in Australia; organizations outside Australia should not assume they are eligible.
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia’s principal geographic focus is Australia. Its programmes and partnerships support national, regional and local initiatives that improve healthcare access and wellbeing for LGBTIQ+ communities.
The organization also contributes to international discussions and knowledge-sharing on LGBTIQ+ health and inclusion. However, the current LGBTIQA+ Health Program grant round is intended for eligible Australian organizations and services.
Impact and Achievements
LHA contributes to improving health outcomes through national advocacy, community support services, research and professional capacity building.
Its work includes connecting people with peer support through QLife, improving aged-care inclusion through Silver Rainbow, strengthening mental health services through MindOUT and developing educational resources for healthcare professionals.
The organization’s annual reports provide further information about its programmes, partnerships, governance and achievements. Its 2024–2025 Annual Report is available through its official website.
Conclusion
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia is an important national organization working to improve healthcare access, inclusion and wellbeing for LGBTIQ+ communities across Australia. Through its advocacy, research, community programmes and government-funded grant administration, it supports organizations working to address health inequalities and deliver inclusive services. Its LGBTIQA+ Health Program is particularly relevant to eligible Australian nonprofits and specialist health organizations seeking financial support for community health and wellbeing initiatives.
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