Victorian Centre for Allied Health Advancement (VCAAH) is a new statewide centre that supports the future of Victoria’s allied health workforce.
VCAAH aims to:
- strengthen collaboration across health services, universities, training providers and unions to build workforce capacity and raise the profile of Allied Health in Victoria; and
- collect and analyse workforce data to support better Allied Health services and strengthen Victoria’s Allied Health workforce.
VCAAH was established following a commitment made as part of during negotiations the Allied Health Professionals (Victorian Public Sector) (Single Interest Employers) Enterprise Agreement 2021–2026.
VCAAH’s work covers 27 allied health professions in Victoria, along with professionals included in the Allied Health Professionals (Victorian Public Sector) (Single Interest Employers) Enterprise Agreement 2021–2026.
Roles and functions of the Department of Health (Allied Health Workforce team)
- Provides strategic leadership and leads statewide policy development for Victoria’s Allied Health workforce
- Manages programs that support the allied health workforce
- Works with the allied health sector and the Chief Allied Health Officer to address workforce needs
- Builds relationships, provides advice and represents Victoria’s allied health workforce in national discussions.
Roles and functions of VCAAH
- VCAAH works with the Department of Health to build a strong allied health workforce across Victoria.
- VCAAH supports the development and long-term growth of Victoria’s allied health workforce by:
- Bringing people together to address shared workforce challenges across the allied health sector.
- Leading statewide collaboration to develop and share tools, resources and training that help allied health professionals.
- Gathering and using workforce data to understand the current and future needs of allied health services.
What VCAAH does not do
- Set workforce policy or funding priorities
- Deliver services and or programs
- Take on responsibilities that belong to the Department of Health, employers or Local Health Service Network (LHSN) responsibilities
- Represent or advocate on behalf of allied health professionals or organisations.
How will the Department and VCAAH work together?
- The Department of Health and VCAAH work together to understand workforce needs, agree on shared priorities and support initiatives across the health system.
- Together, the Department of Health and VCAAH bring sector partners together to solve workforce challenges, test new ways of working in public health services, and make sure policy is informed by what works in practice.
How will VCAAH work with existing sector groups or committees?
- VCAAH is guided by a Steering Committee made up of representatives from the allied health sector, public health services, unions and the Victorian Department of Health.
- To help deliver its priorities and activities, VCAAH will establish advisory groups and subcommittees. Opportunities to join these groups will be advertised through an expression of interest process.
- VCAAH will work closely with existing sector groups and committees and will support their work, rather than replace their roles and responsibilities.
How is VCAAH governed?
- VCAAH is guided by a Steering Committee that provides strategic advice and oversees the Centre’s work. The Steering Committee includes representatives from:
- The Department of Health
- Victorian Allied Health Professionals Association (VAHPA)
- Victorian Hospitals Industrial Association (VHIA)
- Monash Health
- VCAAH
- The allied health sector.
- The Steering Committee meets every three months. Decisions are made by majority vote when enough members are present. The Department of Health receives regular updates on VCAAH’s activities, progress and risks.
- The Department of Health manages VCAAH’s funding, monitors its progress and ensures its work supports Victoria’s allied health workforce priorities.
How can you work with VCAAH?
- Visit the VCAAH website for more information
- Subscribe to the VCAAH newsletter to receive updates and opportunities to get involved.
- Take part in VCAAH activities, including workshops, consultations and sector events.
- Share local challenges and opportunities, to help strengthen Victoria’s allied health workforce and improve services for Victorian communities.
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