Our catchment and our health needs
Understanding our region and the health needs of our community
Evidence-based practice is the foundation of our work, and we are constantly asking, ‘together, how can we do this even better?’
As a primary health network, we have national priorities set by the Australian Government. These are mental health, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, alcohol and other drugs, aged care, population health, health workforce and digital health. We also have local priorities that are informed by our Annual Needs Assessment and ongoing conversations with our partners and community. Priority populations include children, young people, LGBTIQA+ communities and culturally and linguistically diverse communities. A core function of SEMPHN is the commissioning of services in response to these changing priorities and needs. To work out what’s needed and where, we continually gather evidence and insights to guide our work.
Data-driven decision-making is key to developing programs and services through commissioning. Shifts in data help us to determine primary health needs and opportunities and ensure health services are commissioned in the highest areas of need and for the greatest value and sustainability.
Find out what we discovered in our
2022 Needs Assessment.
Our region
Our population
Priority populations
Our health services
Our region enjoys immense geographic, cultural and socioeconomic diversity. Residents speak more than 220 languages, and more than one quarter of residents were born overseas.
The region contains relatively high-income populations in the bayside and inner-city areas as well as pockets of deep disadvantage in others. There are rapidly developing growth corridors in the south east, shifting populations in more established areas and movement from urban to suburban areas. Cardinia Shire Council and the City of Casey have shown the highest growth between 2016 and 2022.
As population profiles change, so does the need for different blends of primary health care. One of SEMPHN’s core objectives is to ensure, within our resources, that service providers are commissioned to supply the right care, at the right place and time.
Up next:
A message from our Chair
Reflecting on the first year of our Strategic Plan 2023-2028, Sue Renkin states that she "is proud to acknowledge the foundational progress we’ve made in aligning our operations with our vision for the future".
South Eastern Melbourne PHN
Level 2, 15 Corporate Drive
Heatherton Victoria 3202
ABN 65 603 858 751
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South Eastern Melbourne PHN
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While the Australian Government Department of Health has contributed to the funding of this website, the information on this website does not necessarily reflect the views of the Australian Government and is not advice that is provided, or information that is endorsed, by the Australian Government. The Australian Government is not responsible in negligence or otherwise for any injury, loss or damage however arising from the use of or reliance on the information provided on this website.
SEMPHN acknowledges the Bunurong and Wurundjeri peoples of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies in which we work. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We also acknowledge all First Nations peoples with whom we work. Sovereignty was never ceded!
We acknowledge and celebrate diversity in all its forms and recognise the contribution people from diverse backgrounds and life experiences make to a strong, healthy and resilient community. We welcome everyone in the community as part of the SEMPHN organisation.