The Allan Labor Government is delivering Victorians a better-connected health system - that ensures patients get the care they need, close to home.
Backed by record investments - including for frontline workforce recruitment and increased funding for hospitals, health services are coming together in partnership, with 12 new Local Health Service Networks commencing from 1 July.
The networks will drive improvements through health services working together across regions so that Victorians can access more of the care that they need, closer to where they live.
Each health service will retain its board and CEO, unique identity and connection to their community.
Each network will hit the ground running - by identifying and planning improvements to address the health needs of their local communities. This follows work over the past few months to identify early initiatives to improve access to care, better support the local health workforce, and improve the quality of care.
This work will help develop annual plans and three-year strategies addressing four priority areas:
- Access, equity and flow - making it easier to access and navigate the health system through initiatives like regional waiting lists and support for aged care patients to stay out of hospital
- Workforce - develop coordinated plans to develop and retain a skilled health workforce
- Safety and quality - embedding evidence-based improvements for safer care
- Shared services - identifying back-office efficiencies to ensure better use of available resources, minimise wasteful duplication, and share findings with other networks.
As the networks mature, they will begin to focus on additional priorities, including understanding the care needs of priority populations and addressing these in collaboration, improving integration with other parts of the health system, and improving access to research and clinical trials.
The Labor Government invested a record $31 billion in the Victorian Budget 2025/26 into the health system, including a record $9.3 billion boost to give every public hospital the certainty to plan for the future and keep delivering the world-class care Victorians rely on.
For more information, please visit health.vic.gov.au/local-health-service-networks.
As stated by Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas
"The Local Health Service Networks will mean a better and stronger public health system - freeing up beds in busier hospitals, easing pressure on our dedicated workforce, and delivering faster care closer to home."
"By working together across each Network, health services will be able to better coordinate your care - including easier access to specialist care when needed and bringing your care closer to home for any ongoing care and recovery.
"We're keeping what Victorians value most about their health services - maintaining a local voice and identity -while better connecting our health system to build stronger referral pathways between services."
Local Health Service Networks - by region:
Barwon
- Barwon Health, Colac Area Health, Great Ocean Road Health, Hesse Rural Health Service
Bayside
- Alfred Health, Bass Coast Health, Calvary Health Care Bethlehem, Gippsland Southern Health Service, Kooweerup Regional Health Service and Peninsula Health
East Metro and Murrindindi
- Alexandra District Health, Eastern Health, St Vincent's Health, Yea and District Memorial Hospital
Gippsland
- Bairnsdale Regional Health Service, Central Gippsland Health Service, Latrobe Regional Hospital, Omeo District Health, Orbost Regional Health, South Gippsland Hospital, West Gippsland Healthcare Group, Yarram & District Health Service
Grampians
- Beaufort & Skipton Health Service, Central Highlands Rural Health, East Grampians Health Service, East Wimmera Health Service, Grampians Health, Maryborough District Health Service, Rural Northwest Health, West Wimmera Health Service.
Hume
- Albury Wodonga Health, Alpine Health, Beechworth Health Service, Benalla Health, Corryong Health, Goulburn Valley Health, Kyabram District Health Service, Mansfield District Hospital, NCN Health, Northeast Health Wangaratta, Tallangatta Health Service, Yarrawonga Health,
Loddon Mallee
- Bendigo Health, Boort District Health, Cohuna District Hospital, Dhelkaya Health, Echuca Regional Health, Heathcote Health, Inglewood and Districts Health Service, Kerang District Health, Mallee Track Health and Community Service, Mildura Base Public Hospital, Robinvale District Health Services, Rochester & Elmore District Health Service, Swan Hill District Health
North Metro and Mitchell
- Austin Health, Mercy Hospital for Women, Northern Health, and Seymour Health
Parkville
- Dental Health Services Victoria, Parkville Youth Mental Health and Wellness Service, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Royal Children's Hospital, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Royal Women's Hospital
South Metro
- Monash Health
South West
- Casterton Memorial Hospital, Heywood Rural Health, Moyne Health Services, Portland District Health, South West Healthcare, Terang and Mortlake Health Service, Timboon and District Healthcare Service, Western District Health Service.
West Metro
- Werribee Mercy Hospital and Western Health
