National Rural Health Alliance

National Rural Health Alliance The Alliance provides a united voice for people and health professionals living and working in rural Australia Be respectful and polite. Respect others’ privacy.

The National Rural Health Alliance (the Alliance) is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of the 7 million people in rural and remote Australia. The Alliance provides a united voice for people and health professionals living and working in rural communities and advocates for sustainable and affordable health services. Our most important role, underpinned by our broad representative base

, is listening to the people of rural, regional and remote Australia and taking their views to government. The Alliance uses social media platforms to engage with our members, followers, and other stakeholders in a friendly and inclusive manner. Through social media, we inform, educate, inspire, build connections, and have conversations. Please note that these terms of use apply to all National Rural Health Alliance social media channels, including, but not limited to, Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. The National Rural Health Alliance’s Commitments

• We will be transparent in our social media engagement.
• We will protect our consumers’ privacy in compliance with applicable Privacy Policies, IT Security Policies, and laws, rules, and regulations.
• We will respect copyrights, trademarks, rights of publicity, and other third-party rights.
• We will be responsible in our use of technology and will not knowingly align the organisation with any organisations or websites that use excessive tracking software, adware, malware, or spyware.
• We will reasonably monitor behaviour in the social media space, establish appropriate protocols, and keep appropriate records as dictated by law and/or industry best practices.
• Our content will be aligned to our vision and values.
• Comments will be moderated and may be deleted in accordance with our social media house rules. Social Media House Rules

The Alliance welcomes feedback and encourages healthy discussion, but please ensure your engagement on our social media platforms is in line with our house rules. Due to the 2021 High Court ruling, every organisation that administers a social media account is legally responsible to moderate any activity or interactions on their social media platforms. By interacting with the Alliance and the Alliance’s affiliated pages, groups, events, ads, posts (or anything else that may fall under the Alliance’s social media domain), you agree to abide by our social media terms of use and our “House Rules”. The Alliance can make no guarantee that your contribution will be published or remain published and reserves the right to delete any comments that are considered inappropriate by the organisation’s moderators.

1. Treat other people, including Alliance employees, with respect and courtesy. Comments using inappropriate language, which are abusive, obscene, or which appear to deliberately provoke arguments, will be deleted. Explicit content or content of a harassing nature will be deleted. The Alliance reserves the right to delete comments that are considered inappropriate by the organisation’s moderators.

2. Don’t post unlawful comments or content. Do not use language that is defamatory, discriminatory, incites violence, infringes copyright or is otherwise unlawful. Comments that are fraudulent, deceptive, misleading, in violation of any intellectual property right of another, or in violation of any law or regulation, will be deleted.

3. Don’t include personal details such as phone numbers, postal or email addresses in publicly visible comments. If you wish to raise an issue that requires sharing your contact information with Alliance employees, please contact us.

4. Don’t advertise. Comments that seek to endorse commercial products or activities or solicit business or personal promotion may not be accepted. The Alliance publishes links to other websites at its sole discretion. We reserve the right to remove comments and messages considered to be spam, or posts containing the same, or similar, message posted multiple times. This also extends to link baiting or files containing viruses that could damage the operation of other people’s computers or mobile devices. Use of the Alliance’s Content

Sharing on social media is expected and welcomed. All intellectual property rights in the content owned by and posted by the Alliance are reserved to the Alliance. Such content is provided for your personal, non-commercial use only. You may not otherwise reproduce, republish, modify, or adapt the Alliance’s content, without obtaining the organisation’s prior written permission. You agree not to remove, obscure, or alter any National Rural Health Alliance copyright notice or trademark on any content you access and use. You also agree not to use the Alliance’s content in a way that implies endorsement by the organisation, or any person included in the materials, without obtaining prior written consent. Visit www.copyright.com.au for information under section 113P of the Act. For any queries or concerns regarding the Alliance’s engagement on social media or our social media terms of use, please contact us.

The program for the 18th National   Conference   is out now!We have an outstanding line-up of keynote speakers, nearly 3...
24/06/2026

The program for the 18th National Conference is out now!

We have an outstanding line-up of keynote speakers, nearly 300 oral presentations, over 60 lightning talks, 11 workshops (including pre-conference workshops), and poster exhibitions to engage and inspire delegates coming to Tarntanya/ Adelaide this September.

Get ready to hear from speakers on a range of topics: , training, AI and research, to , co-design, , , and more. We will also feature an innovative Arts and Health stream to keep you engaged between sessions!

Check out the program here: ruralhealth.org.au/18nrhc/program

It's not too late to grab early bird discounts - ends 10 July.

Register now and save over 10%: ruralhealth.org.au/18nrhc/registration

South Australian West Coast ACCHO Network
SA Health
Mental Health Coalition of South Australia The University of Adelaide Adelaide University Rural Health Alliance (AURHA)
South Australian Medical Education and Training Channel 7 Adelaide 9 News Adelaide

  Issue  #95 is out now!Explore this latest issue of our flagship online magazine - how technology is transforming   acr...
24/06/2026

Issue #95 is out now!

Explore this latest issue of our flagship online magazine - how technology is transforming across Australia and how it needs to be adapted to fit local needs.

From and to innovative solutions, this edition highlights the people and ideas driving better access to care where it’s needed most.

Read here: ruralhealth.org.au/partyline
ABC Canberra WIN News Canberra NBN Australia Telstra Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia Rural Doctors Association Australia Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) Healthdirect University of Newcastle Department of Rural Health

22/06/2026

Rural health matters! Join us in our campaign for better health care for rural communities. ruralhealth.org.au/rural-healthcare-matters

We are delighted to announce that SA Minister for Health and Wellbeing, Hon Blair Boyer MP, will deliver a keynote addre...
20/06/2026

We are delighted to announce that SA Minister for Health and Wellbeing, Hon Blair Boyer MP, will deliver a keynote address at the 18th National Rural Health Conference this September in Tarntanya/Adelaide.

Minister Boyer will join delegates from across Australia to discuss the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of in SA and ensuring equitable access to quality .

Don't miss the opportunity to hear from one of the nation's key health leaders at Australia's premier rural health event.

We look forward to welcoming you all to !

Early-bird registration rates still apply, so grab your tickets now! https://ruralhealth.org.au/18nrhc/registration/

SA Health
SA Government
Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
South Australian West Coast ACCHO Network
Mental Health Coalition of South Australia
ABC Adelaide
Channel 7 Adelaide
9 News Adelaide
The University of Adelaide
Adelaide University Rural Health Alliance (AURHA)
Public Health Student Society - Adelaide University

Few people are as deeply woven into Australia's   story, and the NRHA's own journey, as Adjunct Professor Jenny May AM.T...
19/06/2026

Few people are as deeply woven into Australia's story, and the NRHA's own journey, as Adjunct Professor Jenny May AM.

This September, we're honoured to welcome her as a keynote speaker at the 18th National Rural Health Conference, in Tarntanya/Adelaide.

From her first rural medical placement in 1980 to her current role as National Rural Health Commissioner, Prof May AM has dedicated her career to advancing equitable for rural, regional and remote Australians.

As a GP, educator, researcher, an advocate, and as a person who has lived and worked in remote communities, she will bring invaluable insight into the realities of delivering healthcare outside our major cities.

She is a powerful voice for , and this is your opportunity to hear from her at .

Early bird registration: https://ruralhealth.org.au/18nrhc/registration/

Rural Doctors Association Australia
Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM)
The Australian National University
Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
SA Government
SA Health

18/06/2026

"They're called resilient. But they're resilient because they have to be."

Roger Hitchcock covers the WA Wheatbelt for Rural Aid Australia. He works with farmers dealing with new bylaws, rising interest rates, falling stock prices, drought, flood, fire and personal struggles that never make the news.

On top of all of that, if you're not feeling yourself mentally, you drive two hours to see someone. That's if you go at all.

But Roger has seen something remarkable too. Towns across the Wheatbelt are building their own mental health events and community groups, because they're not waiting anymore. And they're working.

Rural people don't want sympathy. They want action.

And Roger's message to the politicians and policymakers who can deliver it is direct:

"Come out and see us. You can describe as many times as you want what's going on out here, but come out and have a look."

Rural Australians have every right to insist on the same services as every other person in this country. It's time the system caught up.

Emma McBride MP Mark Butler MP Roger Cook Meredith Hammat MLA Rural Aid Wheatbelt Health Network Moorditj Koort Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia - AHCWA WA Country Health Service WA Department of Health

17/06/2026

Before a woman recovering from breast cancer could do her daily walk, she needed her husband to move the bulls from the front paddock so she could walk further with ease of mind.

That's what exercise looks like for some rural Australian women during cancer recovery. Not a gym membership. Not a footpath. A paddock, cleared of cattle, so she could take a few more steps.

Pammie is a specialist breast cancer nurse who grew up 100 kilometres down a dusty dirt road. She's nursed family members through cancer in the bush. She knows exactly what these women face and she shows up for them anyway, with passion and creativity and determination.

"These women can't just pop to the gym like many city folk. But we are adaptable and innovative and tenacious."

Rural women facing cancer deserve the same standard of care as anyone else in this country. That means investing in specialist nurses like Pammy and making sure they can reach every community that needs them.

Emma McBride MP Mark Butler MP Breast Cancer Network Australia Wide Bay Hospital & Health Service Friendly Society Private Hospital Queensland Health Nhulundu Health Service ABC Rural National Farmers' Federation Pammie Ellem

Did you catch our Chief Executive, Susi  Tegen, discussing   funding inequities on ABC Far North? Here it is, in case yo...
16/06/2026

Did you catch our Chief Executive, Susi Tegen, discussing funding inequities on ABC Far North?

Here it is, in case you missed it - starting from 02:30:44
https://shorturl.at/EETY0

continue to face an annual healthcare funding gap of $8.35 billion.

Susi spoke about communities like , where local people have stepped up to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to keep health services operating when funding falls short.
Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council
Queensland Health
Health Workforce Queensland
Queensland Alliance for Mental Health
Western Queensland Primary Health Network
Tropical North Queensland
Mareeba Shire History

13/06/2026

In some rural and remote communities, a health worker visits once a month. In others, once every three months.

When they arrive, demand is overwhelming. Some people miss out on the appointments available that day. They might wait weeks or months before they can be seen again.

The health workers, meanwhile, are travelling for hours, working long days, skipping breaks because they want to see as many people as they can. Eventually, they burn out. They leave.

New staff arrive. Community members start seeing a different face each visit and having to explain their story all over again from the beginning.

"This can make people feel like they're not being listened to or properly cared for."

This is what the rural health funding gap looks like from the inside, not one problem, but a cycle that grinds down patients and workers alike. More investment in rural health means more workers, more consistency, and more care for the communities that need it most.

Emma McBride MP Mark Butler MP Jim Chalmers MP Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia Rural Doctors Network Queensland Health ABC Rural Guardian Australia National Farmers' Federation

12/06/2026

On Australia Day 2019, in Mildura, Scott had a heart attack.

The emergency cardiac treatment he needed was 600 kilometres away in Melbourne. They waited for a medevac plane.

Scott died waiting for that plane.

His wife's words say everything: "Where you live shouldn't determine whether you lived."

This is what the rural health funding gap costs.

Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia Victorian Department of Health Mildura Base Public Hospital Sunraysia Community Health Services ABC News The Age Katrina Umback

Address

Deakin, ACT
2600

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+61262854660

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