Australia's health system is internationally regarded for its combination of universal Medicare coverage and mixed public-private healthcare delivery. But the healthcare system — focused on treatment — is only one part of what makes populations healthy. Public health: the science and practice of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through organised community efforts, deserves sustained philanthropic investment alongside government spending.
Government investment
The Australian Government funds public health through:
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW): Data collection and analysis
- Australian Health Promotion Association: Peak body for health promotion
- National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC): Research funding including preventive health research
- Commonwealth preventive health programmes: Including vaccination, cancer screening, chronic disease management
- State health departments: Health promotion units, community health services, local public health programmes
Burden of chronic disease
Australia faces significant chronic disease burden:
- Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death
- Type 2 diabetes is increasing in prevalence
- Mental illness affects one in five Australians annually
- Obesity rates continue to climb
- Cancer incidence is high, though survival rates are improving
Many of these conditions are significantly preventable through lifestyle, environment, and social interventions — the domain of public health.
Health inequities
Health outcomes in Australia are profoundly unequal:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people die on average 8-9 years younger than non-Indigenous Australians
- People in regional, rural, and remote areas have worse health outcomes and less access to services
- Lower-income Australians experience higher rates of most chronic diseases
- Migrants and refugees face specific health challenges
Public health investment targeted at these inequities has the greatest potential to improve overall population health.
VicHealth (Victorian Health Promotion Foundation) is worth particular attention as a model. Established in 1987 with tobacco licence revenue, it funds health promotion research, programmes, and advocacy across Victoria. With an annual budget exceeding $60 million, VicHealth is one of Australia's most significant health promotion funders — combining government mandate with philanthropic flexibility. Its grant programmes span mental wellbeing, physical activity, food and nutrition, tobacco control, and health equity.
Preventive health innovation
Government health promotion is often slow to adopt new approaches. Philanthropy can fund innovative preventive health models — digital health promotion, community health coaches, workplace wellness programmes, nudge-based interventions — testing them before government scales.
Health equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
Closing the gap in Indigenous health outcomes requires sustained investment in community-controlled health services, culturally grounded health promotion, and social determinants of health. The Lowitja Institute, NACCHO member organisations, and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) lead this work.
Rural and remote health promotion
Distance and isolation create specific public health challenges in regional Australia. Telehealth, outreach services, and community health worker models adapted for rural contexts deserve philanthropic support.
Early childhood health
The early years are foundational for lifelong health. Investment in maternal health, healthy start programmes, childhood obesity prevention, and early developmental support pays dividends across an entire life course.
Food environment and nutrition
Australia's food environment drives poor dietary choices. Advocacy for healthy food policy (taxes on sugary drinks, traffic light labelling, restrictions on junk food marketing to children), community food programmes, and fresh food access in food deserts are active areas.
Physical activity
Increasing population physical activity — through built environment changes, active transport, sport and recreation access, and workplace interventions — is one of the most cost-effective public health investments.
Tobacco and alcohol harm reduction
Despite declining smoking rates, tobacco remains a major health burden. Alcohol harm is substantial and underaddressed. Grants supporting evidence-based harm reduction approaches, policy advocacy, and community programmes address significant, modifiable health risks.
Mental health promotion
Prevention and early intervention in mental health — building mental resilience, reducing stigma, improving help-seeking — is as important as treatment. Grants for workplace mental health, school resilience programmes, and community mental health promotion complement clinical investment.
Focus on upstream determinants: The social determinants of health — income, housing, education, employment, environment — drive most of the variation in health outcomes. Public health philanthropy that addresses these upstream factors produces more durable change than downstream programmes.
Evidence-based investment: Public health has a strong evidence base. Funders should prioritise programmes with evidence of effectiveness and build in evaluation to generate new evidence.
Policy as leverage: Health promotion advocacy for policy change — food labelling, minimum alcohol pricing, built environment standards, early childhood investment — has enormous potential leverage. One successful policy change affects an entire population. Philanthropy can fund the advocacy that government cannot fund itself.
Community-led approaches: Public health works best when communities are active participants, not passive recipients. Community health worker models, participatory health promotion, and community-led research produce more culturally appropriate and sustainable results.
Tahua's grants management platform supports health promotion funders and public health organisations in Australia — with the grant tracking, outcome measurement, and portfolio analysis tools that help funders invest effectively in healthier Australian communities.