16 March 2026

Organisations looking to deliver culturally responsive low intensity mental health services across the South Western PHN region are now invited to express their interest.

SWSPHN is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) to service Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and/or culturally and linguistically diverse populations with locally-relevant low intensity mental health support services that meet the needs of consumers within these cohorts, who are unable to access mainstream services or for whom services do not meet their needs.

Services delivered through this funding opportunity will complement the new national Medicare Mental Health Check In Service (MMHHCI service) being rolled out in 2026.

Interested parties may apply for one or both priority population cohorts. If applying for both, separate responses are requested for each target community, and it should be clear in your response which community you are applying to service.

 

Procurement overview

Expressions of Interest are now open and can be submitted via the application form at the bottom of this page including all relevant attachments. Applications close 5pm, Thursday, 23 April.

Successful providers will operate within a stepped-care framework to offer brief, structured and evidence-based low intensity mental health interventions. Services will be tailored to meet the specific needs of people from culturally and linguistically diverse and/or Aboriginal and Torries Strait Islander backgrounds.

 

Background

The Medicare Mental Health Check In (MMHCI) service is a national service providing guided and self-guided cognitive behaviour Therapy (CBT) programs.

To prevent duplication, the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing mandates SWSPHN must re-prioritise planning and commissioning localised low intensity mental health services to meet the needs of consumers who are unable to access mainstream services or for whom the service does not meet their needs.

 

Online information session

An information session took place on Wednesday, 25 March, from 10am via Zoom. The information session included an overview of the EOI, outline the outcomes sought, the process for submission and to allow potential respondents to ask questions. See below presentation and Q&As.

Information session slideshow (PDF)
Information session questions and answers (PDF | updated 7 April 2026)

 

Key dates

EOI open 16 March 2026
Information session 25 March 2026 @ 10am
Last queries 20 April 2026 @ 5pm
EOI closes 23 April 2026 @ 5pm
Evaluation period 24 April 2026 – 28 May 2026
Successful applicants notified. Contract negotiations commence May 2026
Contract execution June 2026
Unsuccessful applicants notified June 2026
Full implementation and service delivery commencement 1 July 2026

 

How to apply

Respondents must submit their EOI through this website by filling in the application form linked on this page and attaching relevant documentation including the completed Activity Work Plan and Budget templates, as well as copies of certificates of currency for relevant insurances.

Other important documentation to note before applying:

EOI Tender Document

Example of Commissioned Services Agreement (CSA)

All Expressions of Interest must be submitted by 5pm, Thursday, 23 April 2026.

 

Culturally responsive low intensity mental health services EOI

 

Tip – have this information handy before you begin your application:

  • details and copies of your certificates of currency for your public liability, professional indemnity, cyber security and workers compensation insurances where applicable
  • download and complete these documents: Activity Work Plan [Word doc]Budget Template [Excel]
  • contact details of two professional references
  • be prepared to answer two free-text questions to describe your relevant skills and experience and readiness to take part in the program view these questions beforehand [txt]

 

Questions and enquiries

Any questions relating to this EOI can be emailed to tenders@swsphn.com.au. Questions and answers will be published on this webpage at the end of each week.

Enquiries regarding this EOI can be directed to Pritika Desai, Commissioning Manager, on 4632 3000.

09 March 2026

Funding opportunity for allied health providers – Fairfield LGA

 

group of allied health professionals.

 

Eligible allied health providers servicing the Fairfield Local Government Area (LGA) are invited to apply for funding under SWSPHN’s new Multidisciplinary Team Care small grants program.

The MDT grants program aims to increase access to person-centred allied health care for priority populations by strengthening multidisciplinary collaboration between allied health and small or solo general practices.

 

Who should apply

This opportunity is suited to allied health providers with demonstrated experience delivering multidisciplinary care, particularly those working with priority populations or chronic disease management in Fairfield LGA.

Allied health providers working in private, government, non-government, community based or Aboriginal community controlled organisations who can prove effective service delivery and are engaged with diverse communities are invited to apply.

See the EOI Tender Document for details on this funding opportunity. 

EOI Tender Document

 

What you can deliver

Funded services will focus on initiatives that:

  • strengthen multidisciplinary approaches to chronic disease management
  • deliver coordinated, person-centred care
  • improve access to allied health services for priority populations
  • address service gaps in underserved or disadvantaged communities

Proposals should demonstrate the ability to deliver effective multidisciplinary care in Fairfield LGA, particularly for priority populations and/or chronic disease management.

 

Expected outcomes

Successful initiatives will contribute to:

  • stronger collaboration across the primary care system
  • improved management of chronic disease in the community
  • greater recognition of the role of allied health in prevention and wellbeing
  • more equitable access to allied health services in Fairfield
  • reduced potentially preventable hospitalisations

 

Information session and Q&A

An information session was held Tuesday, 17 March.
Multidisciplinary Team Care Information Session Slide Presentation

Each week, questions and answers will be shared here:
Information Session QA – updated 1 April 2026

 

Funding period

Funding will be provided through a formal funding agreement for a contract period of 1 July 2026 to 31 October 2027.

Key dates

EOI open 9 March 2026
Information session 17 March 2026 @ 11.30am
Last queries 30 March 2026 @ 5pm
EOI closes 3 April 2026 @ 5pm
Evaluation period 7 April 2026 – 24 April 2026
Successful applicants notified. Contract negotiations commence 1 May 2026
Contract execution 1 July 2026
Unsuccessful applicants notified July 2026
Establishment and embedding 1 July 2026 – 31 October 2026
Full implementation and service delivery commencement 1 November 2026

 

How to apply 

Respondents must submit their EOI by filling in the application form below. Ensure you have read the EOI tender document carefully and follow the application process outlined below.

All Expressions of Interest must be submitted by 5pm, Friday, 3 April 2026.

Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Care small grants program application

Tip – have this information handy before you begin your application:

 

Questions and enquiries

Any questions relating to this EOI can be emailed to tenders@swsphn.com.au. Questions and answers will be published on this webpage at the end of each week.

Enquiries regarding this EOI can be directed to Bianca Walsh, Primary Care Workforce Manager, on 4632 3000 or email bianca.walsh@swsphn.com.au

07 October 2025

Using a macro lens, attendees at this year’s PHN Commissioning Innovation Showcase focused on the importance of ‘connection’ to our work.

Representatives from SWSPHN’s Commissioning, Mental Health, Service Support, Digital Health and Data, and Integration and Priority Populations teams (pictured) joined colleagues from PHNs from across Australia in Newcastle on 16 and 17 September for the annual conference.

The showcase was a great opportunity to collaborate and learn from other PHNs, not only about commissioning but about all the amazing work PHNs do in their individual regions.

This year we had the opportunity to use a holistic/macro level lens, and assess how connection underpins all work we do.

Over two days the conference explored:

  • Connecting communities – how to collaborate with consumers and co-produce services which support health outcomes and improve equity
  • Connecting values and outcomes – when commissioning for impact and equity, how this is best achieved and examples of leading domestic and international practice
  • Connecting services – the future of commissioning and working with partners to jointly commission and integrate care
  • Connecting process, technology and systems – driving integrated care and innovating in procurement and financial management processes

Our team had the opportunity to share their insights and experiences across four presentations.

Topics included:

  • Turning the focus towards outcomes – commissioning initiatives to enhance service outcomes​
  • My Care Partners – achieving outcomes through value-based healthcare
  • All angles covered – collaborative commissioning between multiple partners to improve hepatitis C screening and treatment in primary care
  • Commissioned contract reviews – bridging processes, technology and systems for seamless success

One of our staff sat on a panel with sector leaders to discuss digital health, reporting, technology and systems. A poster highlighting our approach, impact and lessons from our Local Health Forums was also on display at the showcase.

15 August 2025

Bringelly Green-Valley urgent care clinic EOI

 

Eligible general practices, community health centres or Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services are invited to express their interest (EOI) in establishing a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic within the Bringelly-Green Valley GP catchment area (see map below).

The Bringelly-Green Valley clinic will be the fifth Medicare Urgent Care Clinic to be established within the South Western Sydney PHN footprint, alongside one state-funded Urgent Care Service.

green-valley-catchment-area-map - detailed
Map of the Bringelly–Green Valley GP catchment area and established Medicare Urgent Care Clinics and Urgent Care Service.

 

Procurement overview 

SWSPHN will commission one eligible general practice, community health centre or Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service (ACCHS) in the Bringelly-Green Valley GP catchment area(see map above), as defined by the Commonwealth Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (DHDA) to be established as a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (UCC). 

Proposals from new general practices will also be considered if they can demonstrate they will meet all Medicare UCC requirements and be fully operational by December 2025. DHDA has expressed a preference for a location central to the Bringelly-Green Valley area, however responses from all eligible service providers in this area will be considered.

DHDA has also expressed a preference for the Medicare UCC site to be co-located with, or partnered alongside, general practices that offer full bulk billing. 

The Bringelly-Green Valley Medicare Urgent Care Clinic will be one of 50 new federally funded clinics opening across Australia. In total, 137 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics will be open nationally.

The Medicare Urgent Care Clinics program aims to ease the pressure on hospital Emergency Departments and give patients more options to see a healthcare professional when they have an urgent but not life-threatening need for care. 

An Expression of Interest is available for download from Friday, 15 August 2025.

Read official notice

 

Proposal timeline

Action Date
EOI opens 15 August 2025
Information session 26 August 2025 at 4.30pm
Last queries date 8 September 2025 at 5pm
EOI closing date 12 September 2025 at 5pm
Evaluation period 13 September – 24 October 2025
Recommendations to SWSPHN board and executive Late October 2025
Successful applicant notified and contract negotiations Late October 2025
Contract execution December 2025
Unsuccessful applicants notified December 2025

 

Submissions accepted via Tenderlink 

This EOI is available on SWSPHN’s Tender Portal – Tenderlink: www.tenderlink.com/swsphn 

Interested parties will need to register for SWSPHN’s Tender Portal to ensure they: 

  • will receive email notifications when new procurement opportunities are published in relevant categories 
  • can access the online forum to address any questions about the program and procurement process 
  • can download and view procurement documentation electronically and 
  • will be able to submit applications through the e-tender box facility 
Tenderlink

 

Information session 

To assist eligible parties considering a response to this tender, we recommend attending an online information session. This session will provide an overview of the tender process, requirements, and an opportunity to ask questions about the tender documentation.

Date: 26 August 2025

Time: 4.30pm

Where: Zoom

Register here

 

Enquiries 

Enquiries regarding this notification can be directed to Swati Vir, SWSPHN Acting Commissioning Manager, at swati.vir@swsphn.com.au 

22 October 2024

Eligible mental health service providers are invited to respond to a Request for Proposal (RFP) to codesign and deliver Universal Aftercare services within South Western Sydney to support people following a suicide attempt or suicidal crisis.

Eligible organisations can now submit their RFP to South Western Sydney PHN (SWSPHN) until Monday, 11 November 2024.

 

Procurement overview

In 2022, suicide was the leading cause of death for young people aged 15 to 24, with more than 3,200 lives lost across Australia. Men and First Nations people are particularly at risk, with men making up 75 per cent of suicide deaths and First Nations people being twice as likely to die by suicide.

SWSPHN currently commissions The Way Back service as the primary aftercare program in South Western Sydney, offering non-clinical psychosocial support for those who have attempted suicide or faced a suicidal crisis. This service will continue until September 2025, after which SWSPHN will transition to a new Universal Aftercare service under a bilateral agreement with the NSW Government.

Starting from April 2025, SWSPHN will commission a new Universal Aftercare service to continue providing assertive, non-clinical support. Through the co-design process and guidance from Aftercare Best Practice Guidelines, the provider will collaborate with SWSPHN and South Western Sydney Local Health District to ensure the service meets local needs. The program will focus on delivering person-centred and trauma-informed psychosocial support services for people following an attempted suicide or suicidal crisis.

 

Program principle

The service provider will:

      • promote strength and resilience by helping individuals build and maintain supportive social and family networks
      • provide non-clinical psychosocial support which complements clinical care, offering practical assistance to ensure safe and connected living
      • tailor support to each individual’s unique circumstances and needs following a suicide attempt or crisis
      • deliver timely support immediately after a hospital or mental health service visit, addressing the heightened risk during this critical period

 

Procurement timeline

Action Date
Information session Thursday, 31 October 2024 at 11am
Last queries date Wednesday, 6 November 2024
RFP closing date Monday, 11 November 2024 at 5pm
Evaluation period November – December 2024
Recommendations to SWSPHN board and executive February 2025
Successful applicant notified and contract negotiations March 2025
Contract execution Tuesday, 1 April 2025
Unsuccessful applicants notified Tuesday, 1 April 2025
Establishment and Embedding Phase Tuesday, 1 April 2025 – Tuesday 30 September 2025
Full implementation and service delivery commencement Wednesday, 1 October 2025

 

Information session

Potential respondents are invited to attend an information session to receive an overview of the RFP, outcomes sought, the process for submission and to ask questions.

When: Thursday, 31 October 2024
Time: 11am
Register: Meeting Registration – Zoom

All questions and answers as well as PowerPoint slides, will be posted on Tenderlink within one week of the meeting.

 

Submission accepted via Tenderlink

This Request for Proposal is available on SWSPHN’s Tender Portal – Tenderlink: www.tenderlink.com/swsphn

Interested parties are encouraged to register for SWSPHN’s Tender Portal to ensure they:

  • will receive email notifications when new procurement opportunities are published in relevant categories
  • can access the online forum to address any questions about the program and procurement process
  • can download and view procurement documentation electronically and
  • will be able to submit applications through the e-tender box facility

Deadline for submissions is Monday, 11 November 2024 at 5pm.

 

Enquires

Enquiries regarding this notification can be directed to Amy Prince, Director of Planning and Performance care via Melissa McIntyre, melissa.mcintyre@swsphn.com.au

24 June 2024

Service navigator showing support got CALD, refugee or homeless person

Eligible services are invited to respond to a Request for Proposal (RFP) to establish service navigation supports across South Western Sydney to improve the health outcomes of people from diverse cultural backgrounds, refugees and/or people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The successful tenderer will deliver critical health navigation services throughout the region.

This opportunity is a result of community consultation which took place earlier this year, followed by co-design sessions to help develop the service navigation guidelines which form part of this tender request.

 

Procurement overview

South Western Sydney PHN is inviting proposals to commission a service which offers service navigation support to address the health needs of the following identified vulnerable population groups within our region. 

  1. People who are homeless. This includes those sleeping rough, couch surfing or living in temporary housing.
  2. People who speak a language other than English at home. This includes those from diverse cultural and/or religious backgrounds. These people may be born overseas and may be a refugee.

The primary objective is to commission a service which links community members to appropriate primary healthcare services to enhance access to primary care.

Consortia applications are welcome.

 

A service navigator will:

  • Serve as a single point of contact for individuals from CALD, refugee and/or homelessness backgrounds.
  • Connect patients with community health services
  • Connect patients with a regular general practitioner for ongoing care
  • Set patients up with a Medicare card where eligible
  • Utilise supplementary fees to cover primary care costs
  • Work with each individual to provide personalised support tailored to their specific health needs
  • Promote access to preventative healthcare measures such as cancer screening

The commissioned organisation/s will ensure the delivery of holistic services which address the gaps and barriers faced. The service navigator will organise appropriate and streamlined care.

For people from CALD and refugee backgrounds, the service navigator will understand each patient’s context and diverse background, and provide a culturally appropriate, trauma-informed and person-centred service.

For people who are homeless, sleeping rough, couch surfing or living in temporary housing, the service navigator will understand the healthcare barriers each patient faces and provide appropriate, trauma-informed and person-centred support.

As part of this project, SWSPHN will provide supplementary funding to be used for: 

  • General practices visits
  • Health checks
  • Pathology
  • Preventative health activities such as vaccinations, cancer screening and STI/BBV testing
  • Wound care
  • Medical form support
  • Allied health (Speech therapy and podiatry)

Foreign students can access navigation services but will not be eligible for supplementary cost coverage.

Mental health psychology and/or psychiatry visits may be covered under supplementary services, however assessments such as an autism diagnosis will not be covered.

 

Program principles 

The service navigator team will:

  • Be embedded within an existing service location in South Western Sydney to provide accessible and patient-centred support. 
  • Develop individualised care plans based on comprehensive initial assessments to ensure tailored and effective service delivery
  • Ensure seamless referrals to culturally competent health and social services through a “no wrong door” approach
  • Establish appropriate governance to maintain quality standards, cultural competence and fulfill reporting requirements
  • Participate in evaluation activities to assess the effectiveness of the service and identify areas for improvement

Download notice [PDF]

 

Proposal timeline

Action Date
RFP open Wednesday, 3 July 2024
Information session Wednesday, 10 July 2024 @ 2pm
Last queries date Thursday, 1 August 2024
RFP closing date Wednesday, 7 August 2024
Evaluation period 29 Aug – 5 Sept 2024
Recommendations to SWSPHN board and executive Friday, 13 September 2024
Successful applicant notified and contract negotiations October 2024
Unsuccessful applicants notified November 2024

 

Submissions accepted via Tenderlink

This Request for Proposal is available on SWSPHN’s Tender Portal – Tenderlink: www.tenderlink.com/swsphn

Interested parties are encouraged to register for SWSPHN’s Tender Portal to ensure they:

  • Will receive email notifications when new procurement opportunities are published in relevant categories
  • Can access the online forum to address any questions about the program and procurement process
  • Can download and view procurement documentation electronically and
  • Will be able to submit applications through the e-tender box facility
Tenderlink

 

Information session

Attend the information session for potential respondents to receive an overview of the tender process and requirements, and an opportunity to ask questions relating to the tender documentation.

When: Wednesday, 10 July 2024, 2pm
Where: Zoom

Register

 

Enquiries

Enquiries regarding this notification can be directed to Amy Prince, Director of Planning and Performance care of Melissa McIntyre, melissa.mcintyre@swsphn.com.au

20 June 2024

Fairfield Urgent Care Clinic banner depicting Medicare logo

Eligible general practices are invited to respond to a Request for Proposal (RFP) to establish a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic with Fairfield Local Government Area.

 

Procurement overview

South Western Sydney PHN is seeking to commission one existing general practice or community health centre in Fairfield LGA to be set up as a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic. The Fairfield Medicare Urgent Care Clinic will be one of 29 new federally-funded clinics opening across Australia. This builds on the 58 clinics already opened since July last year. In total, 87 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics will be open nationally. The Urgent Care Clinic program aims to ease the pressure on hospitals and give patients more options to see a healthcare professional when they have an urgent but not life-threatening need for care.

 

Proposal timeline

Action Date
RFP open Thursday, 20 June 2024
Information session Wednesday, 26 June 2024 @ 5pm
Last queries date Monday, 15 July 2024
RFP closing date Monday, 22 July 2024 @ 10am
Evaluation period 23 July – 9 August 2024
Recommendations to SWSPHN board and executive Monday, 29 August 2024
Successful applicant notified and contract negotiations September 2024
Unsuccessful applicants notified October 2024
Service commencement Friday, 1 November 2024

 

Submissions accepted via Tenderlink

This Request for Proposal is available on SWSPHN’s Tender Portal – Tenderlink: www.tenderlink.com/swsphn

Interested parties will need to register for SWSPHN’s Tender Portal to ensure they:

  • will receive email notifications when new procurement opportunities are published in relevant categories
  • can access the online forum to address any questions about the program and procurement process
  • can download and view procurement documentation electronically and
  • will be able to submit applications through the e-tender box facility
Tenderlink

 

Information session

Attend the information session for potential respondents to receive an overview of the tender process and requirements, and an opportunity to ask questions relating to the tender documentation.

When: Wednesday, 26 June 2024, 5pm
Where: Zoom

Register

 

Enquiries

Enquiries regarding this notification can be directed to Amy Prince, Director of Planning and Performance care of Melissa McIntyre, melissa.mcintyre@swsphn.com.au

14 March 2024

A Request for Proposal (RFP) is open for the commissioning of an eligible organisation to deliver Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence (FDSV) trauma-informed Local Care Team services, within South Western Sydney.

 

Procurement overview

South Western Sydney PHN is seeking to commission a supplier to deliver assessment, case management and care coordination, within a trauma-informed service to Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence (FDSV) to post-acute victim-survivors across South Western Sydney.

The Local Care Team will

  • be embedded within an existing service within South Western Sydney and develop an integrated recovery care plan based off the initial assessment.
  • ensure referrals to FDSV trained and trauma-informed mental health care services.
  • consist of professionals appropriately trained in FDSV-specific trauma-informed care.

The service model will align with the DoHAC’s Model of Care, Supporting Recovery – Pilot Program. It is a prescribed model which is part of the Australian Government’s National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022–2032.

Read Official Notice

 

Proposal timeline

Action Date
RFP Open 21 March 2024
Information Session 28 March 2024
Last queries date 15 April 2024
RFP Closing Date 18 April 2024 @ 5pm
Evaluation Period 19 April – 17 May 2024
Recommendation to SWSPHN Board 27 June 2024
Successful Applicant Notified Week of 1 July 2024
Commence Contract Negotiations July 2024
Unsuccessful Applicants Notified July 2024
Contract Commencement 1 August 2024
Phase 1 Establishment 1 August 2024
Phase 2 Full Implementation 1 November 2024

 

Submissions accepted via Tenderlink

This Request for Proposal is available on SWSPHN’s Tender Portal – Tenderlink: www.tenderlink.com/swsphn

Interested parties are encouraged to register for SWSPHN’s Tender Portal to ensure they:

  • will receive email notifications when new procurement opportunities are published in relevant categories
  • can access the online forum to address any questions about the program and procurement process
  • can download and view procurement documentation electronically and
  • will be able to submit applications through the e-tender box facility

Tenderlink

 

Information session

Attend the information session for potential respondents to receive an overview of the tender process and requirements, and an opportunity to ask questions relating to the tender documentation.

When: Thursday, 28 March 2024, 11am.
Where: Zoom

Register

 

Enquiries

Enquiries regarding this notification can be directed to Commissioning Manager, Domenic Zappia at Domenic.Zappia@swsphn.com.au

20 February 2024

Expressions of interest are sought from practices within South Western Sydney to take part in the Whole of Practice Capacity Building Initiative for Opioid Dependence Treatment.

Are you interested in developing your practice’s ability to support patients requiring opioid dependence treatment? This unique opportunity offers attractive remuneration of $20,000 and enables practices to gain access to free training and ongoing support.

The initiative is offered by South Western Sydney Primary Health Network (SWSPHN) to GP practices, to maximise their response to Australian Government changes to the PBS in relation to Opioid Dependence Treatment (ODT) medications and treatment.

 

Background

South Western Sydney PHN is committed to supporting local clinical pathways into primary care to improve outcomes for patients receiving Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) treatment. Ongoing SWSPHN AOD initiatives include promotion of service integration, educational for general practitioners and practice nurses and commissioning of treatment services.

 

About the initiative

SWSPHN seeks expressions of interest from South Western Sydney GP practices interested in implementing this whole-of-practice initiative. Successful practices will participate in educational opportunities, develop referral pathways for stable patients and be provided with ongoing support from South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD) Drug Health Services.

 

Incentives up to $20,000 per practice are available for completion of activities as follows:

1. One-off payment of $6,000 for completion of all educational opportunities:

  • Completion of Opioid Treatment Accreditation Course (OTAC) for two or more GPs or Nurse Practitioners per practice, including generous CPD hours. Placements will be provided by SWSLHD Drug Health Services.
  • Free training and opportunities for one or more practice nurses to work at the top of their scope in treatment of patients on ODT and other AOD presentations. Training will be provided by SWSLHD Drug Health Services with allocated CPD hours.
  • Free half day training for one or more front line staff to improve confidence and knowledge to work with patients on ODT, and patients with general AOD presentations. Training will be provided by Lives Lived Well.

2. One-off payment of $14,000 for completion of activities to develop referral pathways with SWSLHD Drug Health Services, and evidence that training has been put into practice:

  • Work with SWSLHD Drug Health Services to transition patients to and from tertiary services into primary care, where stable patients are referred to primary care and patients requiring stabilisation are referred to Drug Health Services.
  • Engage in supports offered by SWSLHD Drug Health Services, which include access to medical officers, networking and support from Drug Health Services for practice nurses, in-practice support from Drug Health Service Clinical Nurse Consultants and telephone support for GPs and practice nurses from the GP Drug and Alcohol Advice and Support Service.

 

Eligible practices

  • Are located within the South Western Sydney region
  • Have two or more GPs and/or Nurse Practitioners committed to participating in the initiative
  • Have one or more practice nurses and front of practice staff committed to participating in the initiative
  • Must have electronic patient health record systems and business intelligence tools
  • Commitment to increasing numbers of patients receiving ODT

 

Further information and lodgment of EOI:

  • EOI opening date: Wednesday, 21 February 2024
  • EOI closing date and time: 5pm, Friday, 15 March 2024
  • Review by: 22 March 2022
  • Advise successful applicants by: 29 March 2024
  • Commencement: Mid-May 2024

Enquiries and further information:
Val Burge
SWSPHN Mental Health and AOD Programs Coordinator,
Ph: 4632 3057
Em: val.burge@swsphn.com.au

 

 

Next steps

SWSPHN will review each EOI on an individual basis and will contact selected practices to discuss next steps. Unsuccessful practices will receive notification via email.

25 January 2024

Victim-survivors of family, domestic and sexual violence in South Western Sydney will soon have access to a new service supporting their long-term recovery. 

Anglicare Sydney and CatholicCare Sydney are partnering to deliver the mental health services key component of the Supporting Recovery Program across the region, from 1 March 2024.  

Local Care Teams (LCTs) are another key component of the Supporting Recovery Program Model of Care and a LCT within South Western Sydney will also be established, with the supplier of this component yet to be announced. 

South Western Sydney PHN (SWSPHN) is one of six PHNs across the country commissioning services as part of the $67 million Department of Health and Aged Care program. 

SWSPHN Chief Executive Officer, Dr Keith McDonald PhD, said he was pleased South Western Sydney would benefit from the innovative program which aimed to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for victim-survivors. 

“The program will be trauma-informed, person-centred and recovery-focused, and offer psychological therapies and other appropriate wellbeing and social interventions within our region,” he said. 

“The point of difference to other family, domestic and sexual violence services will be its focus on longer-term recovery and healing services, rather than crisis support.” 

Services will initially be delivered to the Campbelltown, Liverpool and Fairfield communities due to higher rates of family, domestic and sexual violence in those local government areas (LGAs). 

However, services may be expanded across Bankstown, Camden, Wingecarribee and Wollondilly LGAs based on need and demand. 

There were approximately 5,234 domestic violence-related assault offences across South Western Sydney from July 2022 to June 2023 (NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research). 

 


South Western Sydney DV related assaults, July 2022-June 2023 

LGA

No. of DV-
related assaults 

Per 100,000 people 

NSW ranking 

Camden 

306 

255.1 

99 

Campbelltown 

998 

561.7 

49 

Canterbury-Bankstown 

1,457 

498 

71 

Fairfield 

961 

438.2 

64 

Liverpool 

1,228 

524 

54 

Wingecarribee 

135 

257.4 

97 

Wollondilly 

149 

275 

72 


The Australian Institute of Family Studies (Melbourne) reported in 2015 that populations at higher risk of family, domestic and sexual violence include women and children from:  

  • culturally and linguistically diverse communities 
  • people living with disability 
  • people from rural areas

Mental health services will include free, long-term and trauma-informed care via a no wrong door approach (which means every door in the public support service system is the “right” door to access support). 

Once commissioned, the LCT will be embedded into an existing service, and will manage individual cases, providing care and warm referrals to trauma-informed services for victim-survivors.  

Anglicare Sydney and CatholicCare Sydney will work in partnership with the LCT and the victim-survivor for identified stepped care and referral pathway needs as part of the program.  

Anglicare’s Head of Mental Health, Michael Sheedy, said: “Both our organisations have worked alongside victim-survivors of domestic and sexual violence across a wide range of communities for many years.

“That experience shows us again and again that the journey toward healing and recovery can take time, and we want to help people throughout that journey.” 

CatholicCare’s Director of Child and Family Safety Services, Kirsten Mead, said: “Being able to access tailored long-term mental health support is such an important part of healing for so many victim-survivors.

“This model of care enables people to receive the support they need in a flexible trauma-informed way and at no cost, which can often be a barrier to seeking help for many people.” 

The program is part of a suite of initiatives to reduce all forms of family, domestic and sexual violence and supports the implementation of the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-23.