Rural Health West

23/08/2026

It's been a week since the Aboriginal Health Conference 2026, and we still can't get over the amazing keynote from Peter Salmon and Rosie Sitorus Warralgurniya.

Here are some of the highlights from the weekend.

Thank you so much for being a part of Aboriginal Health Conference 2026.

WA Country Health Service, Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia - AHCWA, Ord Valley Aboriginal Health Service - OVAHS, Sandoz, West Coast Waddi, purpose.ground

22/08/2026

Are you a physiotherapist looking to join a supportive multidisciplinary team in the picturesque South West?

Rural Health West is supporting a practice in Dardanup in finding the "right fit". Open to Visa sponsorship and new grads.

What's on offer:
👉Base salary guide of $80,000 per annum pro rata + commission, with total earning potential of $80,000–$120,000+ depending on caseload and performance.
👉Full-time or part-time options
👉Flexibility around working days and hours
👉Commission that rewards development of a strong caseload
👉Administrative and clinic support
👉An existing local patient base and ongoing clinic marketing
👉Opportunities for professional growth and development

Click here to find out more and apply: https://ruralhealthwest.com.au/vacancies/physiotherapists/?id=3018

21/08/2026

‼Don’t miss out! Rural Health West’s Health Workforce Scholarship Program (HWSP) funding round closes on Sunday, August 23.

The HWSP has been instrumental in providing scholarships and bursary opportunities to health professionals in rural WA.

“It’s made a huge difference to the care I can provide. I can make decisions and escalate care sooner. That means safer, better care for both mum and bub.”
Sarah Dawson, Endorsed Midwife

Apply here:

The Health Workforce Scholarship Program (HWSP) aims to provide rural health professionals with opportunities to upskill and enhance the services they provide to the community.

21/08/2026

🚗 She's been everywhere man 🚗

From Broome, to Albany, to Busselton, to Geraldton, to Kununurra and now back to beautiful Broome.

After two years in our TRAVEL program, Registered Nurse Sharny has lived and worked in some of country WA's most breathtaking locations.

With the program offering amazing opportunities to explore the state and gain unmatched learning opportunities, she said she'd recommend it to any nurse or midwife looking to grow their career.

20/08/2026

You can now register for the WA Ear and Hearing Health Forum 2026 👂

Hear from local experts and local leaders, explore innovative partnerships, develop practical skills through interactive sessions and connect with other professionals in your field.

Don't miss out! Register here: https://ruralhealthwest-waehhf26.eventsairsite.com/

This event is held in partnership with the Aboriginal Health Council of WA.

19/08/2026

Rural Health West has been bringing people together for more than 35 years. Now we’re putting that experience to work in a new way.

Meet purpose.ground – a new social enterprise from Rural Health West providing professional conference and event management services.

Over the years, our team has delivered conferences, workshops, awards, education and events right across Australia.

purpose.ground allows us to share that experience and expertise with other organisations – while creating a new source of income that can be reinvested into rural health.

So when an organisation chooses purpose.ground to deliver its event, it gets an experienced event team – and helps us continue supporting better health and wellbeing in rural and remote WA.

We’re very proud to introduce purpose.ground 💜🩷🧡💛

Great events. Less stress. More impact.

19/08/2026

𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘂𝗺 – 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗵 | 7 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿

NAATSIHWP has partnered with East Metropolitan Health Service (EMHS) to bring you a free full-day Professional Development Forum on Whadjuk Nyoongar Country.

The forum is primarily tailored to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners, with a focus on professional development, connection and sharing knowledge. However, all health professionals are welcome to attend!

📅 Monday 7 September 2026
🕘 9:00am–5:00pm AWST
📍 Level 2, Room A, WASON Building, 161 Wellington Street, Perth WA 6000
🎓 7.5 CPD hours
🍽️ Catering provided

This is a free event, with registration required: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/naatsihwp-professional-development-forum-perth-tickets-1997092442255

18/08/2026

Two weeks left until nominations for the Western Australian Rural Health Excellence Awards 2027 close‼

Nominate your healthcare hero here:
https://www.waruralhealthexcellenceawards.com.au/

18/08/2026

Congratulations to all the finalists in the 2026 Pilbara Community Services Excellence Awards!

Rural Health West is proud to sponsor the Heart of the Pilbara Together Award. Good luck to those nominated!

Pilbara for Purpose - P4P

CONGRATULATIONS to the following FINALISTS in the organisation categories:

Heartbeat of the Pilbara Small organisation
Sponsored by MacKillop Family Services
- Karratha Womens Place
- PHLAGS
- REACH US - Pilbara Inc.
- Relationships Australia

Heartbeat of the Pilbara Medium Organisation
Sponsored by Pilbara Ports
- Gumala Trust
- The Newman Community Centre
- Newman Women's Shelter
- Pilbara Community Services Ltd
- Pilbara Support Network

Heartbeat of the Pilbara Large Organisation
Sponsored by Town of Port Hedland
- Pilbara Community Legal Service Inc
- Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service
- Yaandina Community Services
- Youth Involvement Council Inc.

Heart of the Pilbara Foundations
Sponsored by Pilbara Development Commission
- Julyardi - Nans and Bubs Playgroup
- Pilbara Community Services Ltd
- Pilbara Kimberley University Centres
- Polly Farmer Foundation

Heart of the Pilbara Legacy
Sponsored by Rio Tinto
- Nintirri Centre
- Pilbara Community Services Ltd
- Pilbara Meta Maya Regional Aboriginal Corporation
- Polly Farmer Foundation
- Youth Involvement Council Inc.

Heart of the Pilbara Together
Sponsored by Rural Health West
- Karratha Womens Place
- MacKillop Family Services
- Mawarnkarra Health Service
- Murujuga Rangers

Pilbara Heart of Inclusion
Sponsored by PLS
- Earbus Foundation of WA
- Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service/MacKillop Family Services
- PHLAGS
- Pilbara Community Services Ltd

Pilbara Heart of Social Enterprise
Sponsored by Mineral Resources
- Cherratta Lodge
- Grit and Gratitude
- Kuuwa Rentals
- THAAMA

Pilbara Heart of Partnership for Social Impact
Sponsored by Hancock Iron Ore
- The Newman Community Centre
- Pilbara Community Legal Service Inc
- Pilbara Ranger Network
- Youth Involvement Council Inc.

People's Choice: Organisation
Sponsored by BHP Western Australia
- The Newman Community Centre
- Newman Day Care Centre
- REACH US - Pilbara Inc.
- Salvation Army Jabajaba Program

17/08/2026

To help celebrate National Health Information Management Week ( ), Rural Health West would like to acknowledge the amazing work our Data Analytics Team does.

Rural Health West has been collecting data about the WA rural health workforce since the 1990s. Every year we survey general practitioners, health professionals, medical specialists, practices and health organisations about their experiences, concerns and current trends.

Our data team has a combined 40 years of experience analysing and interpreting workforce data. They channel the insights they generate into workforce reporting, research and program development.

The theme for this year is "Trusted information, smarter decisions, stronger communities," highlighting the essential role of health data and information management professionals in driving safe and connected healthcare.

Our Annual Workforce Update highlights practitioner numbers, geographic distribution, working hours, and retention challenges, and celebrated its 25th publication this year.

https://ruralhealthwest.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Annual-Workforce-Update-2025-Report.pdf