Community Health Centres & Services

Community health centres, also referred to as community health services, aim to improve the health and wellbeing of local residents. Community health services are available to everyone.

Community health centres are funded by the each state’s or territory’s Department of Health. These centres aim to provide a broad range of services and health promotion activities to local populations, particularly those who have or are at risk of having the poorest health and have the greatest economic and social needs. Community health services sit alongside general practice and privately funded health services, to make up the majority of the primary health sector in Australia.

The services available at community health centres depend on the needs of individuals, families and the community living in the area; but may include counselling and support services, dental health, health promotion activities, medical and nursing services and allied health services. Allied health services include audiology, dietetics, exercise physiology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, podiatry and speech therapy.

Community health services focus on health promotion, and disease prevention and management, which are designed to improve the health and wellbeing of local residents, as well as take pressure off the acute care health system. Specific community health initiatives deliver particular services to vulnerable population groups. Other services and supports may include, aged care services, alcohol and drug programs, carer respite, disability services, maternal and child health services, mental health programs, outreach services, problem gambling programs, rehabilitation programs, and support for self-help.