ACDHS Update – October 2025

Oct 28, 2025 | 0 comments

Welcome to the October edition of the ACDHS Update!

This month’s issue brings you highlights from across the allied health sector, including a feature on Three Years of ACDHS Incorporation, sector events, and the latest Mental Health First Aid Spotlight featuring the UQ Bachelor of Pharmacy.

 

IN THIS ISSUE

  • Feature Story: Three Years of ACDHS Incorporation: A Legacy of Advocacy and Growth
  • Strategic Issues & Policy Focus
  • Research Round-Up
  • Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Spotlight – UQ Bachelor of Pharmacy
  • Sector Events & Awareness Dates
  • Events, Conferences & Grants
  • Jobs Board

Feature Story

Three Years of ACDHS Incorporation: A Legacy of Advocacy and Growth

October 2025 marks three years since the Australian Council of Deans of Health Sciences (ACDHS) was formally incorporated – a milestone that represents decades of leadership, collaboration and advocacy across Australia’s allied health education sector.

What began in the early 1990s as a small network of university leaders at Sydney and La Trobe has grown into a national peak body representing 32 public universities and over 80,000 allied health students. Over time, ACDHS has evolved from an informal council to a unified national voice engaging directly with government, ministers, and policy makers on education, training and workforce issues.

Since incorporation in October 2022, ACDHS has introduced a new governance structure, expanded its Board, and strengthened its strategic influence through initiatives such as the Building Sustainable Solutions to Placement Capacity in Allied Health Education project, the national Mental Health First Aid Program, and the inaugural Allied Health Awards. Guided by the Strategic Plan 2024-2026, ACDHS continues to grow its member base, influence policy, and build international partnerships – ensuring allied health remains central to the future of Australia’s health and education systems.

In 2026, ACDHS will consider the progress of the current strategic plan and consult members in the preparation of the next strategic plan for 2027-2029. We are ever grateful for the support and assistance of the many allied health leaders, past and present, across our member institutions.

Strategic Issues & Policy Focus

Strategic Issues Groups Update

Following a recent call for new members, two SIG groups that previously had low participation have now welcomed four new members between them. This boost has enabled the AH Workforce Universities Accord and NAHWS group to successfully convene. We now have 35 members participating in these groups.

All SIG’s have now held at least one meeting, with several scheduling a second meeting this month.

The groups are actively working on proposal priorities to present to the Board for 2026 funding consideration at the end of the month.

Some of the exciting areas currently being explored include:

  • Establishing an Allied Health Community of Practice (COP)
  • Promoting equity in Allied Health education, include entry requirements, CSP allocation, support mechanisms, and diversity mapping.
  • Investigating the variability in information requests across AHPRA and self-accredited professions, including whether these requests are based on inputs or outputs.
  • Analysing the content and nature of accreditation conditions placed on Allied Health programs over the past five years, including the domains of standards involved.
  • Developing a mentoring scheme or a resource bank for early career researchers across member groups.

If you’re interested in joining any of the SIG groups or learning more, please contact Anne Keohane at strategicsupport@acdhs.edu.au.

Research Roundup

National Consortium Launches to Strengthen Primary Care

A landmark research collaboration is now underway to reshape how multidisciplinary primary care is delivered across Australia.

The National Multidisciplinary Primary Care Research, Policy and Advocacy Consortium – funded through the Medical Research Future Fund and led by Professor Michael Kidd AO at UNSW’s International Centre for Future Health Systems – brings together leading researchers, clinicians, consumers, and more than 30 national peak organisations, including ACDHS.

The Consortium aims to identify and evaluate models of multidisciplinary team (MDT) care that improve health outcomes, strengthen the workforce, and enhance equity and access for all Australians. It will also support translation of research into practice, building the evidence base for national primary care reform.

Following its inaugural Strategic Think Tank in Geelong in August, the Consortium has established five governance and advisory groups, including the Strategic Primary Care Peaks Group, of which ACDHS is a key member. The group will help identify research priorities, inform policy development, and guide implementation of findings across the sector.

In its first year, the Consortium’s researchers will review national and international evidence on MDT models of care to inform future studies and frameworks.

ACDHS is proud to support this ambitious new initiative, ensuring that allied health perspectives remain central to the future of integrated primary care in Australia.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Byrne, Consortium Communications Lead (elizabeth.byrne@unsw.edu.au).

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Spotlight

MHFA Spotlight: UQ Bachelor of Pharmacy

Students in the Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) program at the University of Queensland are demonstrating strong commitment to mental health literacy. Of the 193 MHFA vouchers allocated this year, 171 students have completed the e-learning module – an impressive 88.6% completion rate.

By integrating MHFA training into their studies, future pharmacists are gaining vital skills to recognise and respond to mental health challenges, complementing their clinical expertise and strengthening their capacity to support peers, patients, and the wider community.

Key MHFA Information:

A 2026 MHFA Opt-In Form has been distributed – please complete and return by 7 November 2025.

Please note that Friday, 12 December 2025 is the deadline to commence the e-Learning modules. Any vouchers not activated by this date will be removed from your allocation.

Finally, the continuation of the MHFA Program beyond 2027 will depend on the success of the current contract with the Department of Health, so strong participation and completion are critical. If you need further information, resources, or support, please don’t hesitate to get in touch (leonie@acdhs.edu.au).

Sector Events & Awareness Dates

UK-Australia-New Zealand Health Education Partnership Webinar

12 November 2025 | Online

Members are invited to join the next joint webinar hosted by the Council of Deans of Health (UK), the Council of Deans of Nursing and Midwifery (Australia & New Zealand), and ACDHS. This international collaboration will explore the evolving landscape of healthcare education in the 2020s, including discussions on professional identity (generalism vs specialism), the value of degree education, and shared approaches to sector-wide challenges.

The session provides an important opportunity for member institutions to exchange insights and strengthen international connections across higher education and health professions.

Register here
International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD)

3 December 2025

Each year, IDPwD promotes awareness, understanding, and acceptance of the 5.5 million Australians living with disability. It’s an opportunity for universities, health organisations, and the broader community to recognise the contributions of people with disability and commit to building more inclusive environments.

Get involved

Events, Conferences and Grants

Opportunities
  • Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme
    Applications Open For: Mid-2025 and 2026 intakes
    Program Length: 12 months
    Features: This program provides structured support and clear career pathways for new allied health graduates, helping to strengthen the future workforce.
  • Ability Action Australia Graduate Program
    Applications Open For: Mid-2025 and 2026 intakes
    Program Length: 12 months
    Features: Offers structured support and career pathways for new allied health graduates.
Grants

A new grant opportunity is now open through the Australian Government’s Grants Portal: “Disability Health Support Program – Stream 2: Health Professional Education and Training”. Details and eligibility criteria can be found on grants.gov.au.

Events and Conferences

Jobs Board

VIC
QLD
SA
WA
ACT
NSW
TAS
OVERSEAS

Feedback & Engagement

Have a story or research achievement to share? We’d love to hear about it!

Contact: leonie@acdhs.edu.au.

Thank you for reading the ACDHS Update. We look forward to bringing you more inspiring stories and valuable updates next month.

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We respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Australia’s lands and waters and their enduring connection to Country. As an education and health sciences association, we recognise the vital role of Indigenous knowledge in shaping holistic approaches to learning, wellness, and healthcare. We honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, past and present, and their custodianship of knowledge embedded in the land. In paying our respects to Elders, we commit to fostering cultural understanding and partnerships for equitable and inclusive education and healthcare.