Allied Health Professions Day

On Allied Health Professions Day, hear from the Chief Allied Health Officer as she celebrates Victoria’s allied health workforce, and sector achievements.

Published:
Thursday 15 October 2026 at 9:00 am
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Text on screen: Rachel Elliott, Chief Allied Health Officer

Today, as we celebrate allied health across Victoria, I want to thank the thousands of allied health professionals and allied health assistants who make a significant contribution to the health and well being for the Victorians. One of the most rewarding parts of my role as Chief Allied Health Officer is visiting health services across rural, regional and metropolitan Victoria. Each visit reinforces the dedication of clinicians across the 27 professions that make up our allied health workforce community.

I leave with a deep sense of humility, inspired by the expertise, curious minds, agile approach and quiet leadership that reflect the leadership excellence within allied health workforce. One of the most exciting opportunities for our future is the continued growth of advanced scope of practise. We're seeing more allied health professionals working to the full extent of their skills and expertise. And importantly, I believe that we are only beginning to realise the full potential for patients, our workforce and.

Health system The opportunity ahead for us is not to create new roles and models of care, it is to apply deep thinking to understand what works, evaluation, demonstrate its value and expand successful approaches across the Victorian health system. Allied health has such a strong story to tell an important role in building a sustainable health system for Victoria's future.

When I think about the future, I feel optimistic. I see a skilled, curious and committed workforce with clinicians finding new ways to meet challenges and shape the future of healthcare in Vic.

Thank you for your care, your expertise, your collegiality, and for the commitment you show to patients, to the allied health community, and to one another. I really hope you enjoy celebrating allied health today.

About Allied Health Professionals

  • More than 42,500 professionals across 27 professions in health and community services. They helpe people manage chronic conditions, maintain their health and improve their quality of life.
  • Allied health professionals work independently and as part of healthcare teams alongside doctors, nurses and midwives and other professionals to provide care that meets people’s needs.
  • Allied health professionals help identify and assess health conditions. They provide treatment, therapy and support to improve health and wellbeing, helping people live healthy and active lives.

Why is collaboration at the heart of this year's Allied Health Professions Day Stronger, Together?

  • Victoria’s Allied Health Workforce is connected, shares knowledge and experience and learns from one another.
  • Allied Health Professionals work with clinicians, digital health teams, IT specialists, operational leaders and corporate teams to solve problems and improve care..
  • Working together in this way supports Victoria's health priorities including delivering care closer to home, encouraging innovation, strengthening partnerships and building a sustainable workforce.

The role of the Chief Allied Health Officer and Allied Health Workforce Team

  • The Chief Allied Health Officer and Allied Health Workforce team support Victoria’s allied health workforce through leadership, workforce planning, sector engagement, and policy and program development.
  • Working with allied health leaders, health services, professional bodies and other stakeholders, the team supports workforce development, strengthens skills and capability, and help shape policies and initiatives that support allied health professionals across Victoria.

Celebrating the achievements of Victoria's allied health workforce

This Allied Health Professionals Day, we celebrate the achievements of Victoria’s allied health workforce and recognise those nominated for the Victorian Public Healthcare Awards:

  • Northern Health’s Musculoskeletal Wellness Program
  • Northern Health’s Adult Community Mental Health Services program
  • Western Health’s BeWell Program
  • Monash Health - Multidisciplinary Women's Reproductive Health Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) Statewide Service
  • Eastern Health’s From Burnout to Belonging: Redesigning Early-Career Physiotherapy

Future priorities

  • Expanding advanced scope of practice, to create new opportunities and improve care for patients, clinicians and the health services.
  • Supporting the Allied Health Workforce through funding and grant opportunities
  • Building stronger connections across the allied health workforce and Victoria’s health's

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