WA Primary Health Alliance

What WA Primary Health Alliance does

WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that operates Western Australia's three Primary Health Networks (Perth North, Perth South, and Country WA) under the Australian Government's national PHN program. Headquartered in Subiaco with seven regional offices (Goldfields, Great Southern, Kimberley, Midwest, Pilbara, South West, Wheatbelt), WAPHA plans, funds, commissions, monitors, and evaluates primary health care services delivered by 100+ contracted service providers across the state, targeting under-served populations including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (4.4% of WA), multicultural communities (17.2%), LGBTIQA+ people (3.9%), socio-economically disadvantaged groups (14.7%), and rural/remote residents (16.6% of WA).

The organisation's technology stack centres on three national-scale platforms: Primary Health Insights (a secure, collaborative data storage, analytics and governance platform built collectively by PHNs, delivering ~A$15M in PHN cost savings in FY25), Primary Sense (a clinical decision support tool using the Johns Hopkins ACG System for hospitalisation risk prediction, deployed across 15 PHNs in 1,900+ general practices serving 14 million patients — 53% of Australia's population — and credited with A$53M in potential annual system savings), and PHOCUS (a Department-of-Health-aligned performance reporting application). These are complemented by Clinician Assist (secure GP navigation portal), Practice Assist (general practice support service), WAPHA Learning (education/training), and direct-delivery programs including Medicare Mental Health Centres, Medicare Urgent Care Clinics, headspace youth services, Aftercare Services, Integrated Team Care, and Care Finders.

WAPHA is almost entirely funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (with co-funding from the WA Mental Health Commission for aftercare and ad hoc joint programs via the WA Collaborative Commissioning Partnership with the Department of Health WA and the Aboriginal Health Council of WA). Service pricing to patients is generally free at the point of care; supplier engagement runs through formal tender processes via the Aspire supplier portal. The organisation employs 51-100 staff and works through strategic technology partnerships with the Australian Digital Health Agency, Services Australia, Johns Hopkins University, the European Alliance Against Depression, and Queensland Health, among others.

Name

WA Primary Health Alliance

Legal name

WA Primary Health Alliance Limited

Website

https://wapha.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

WA Primary Health Alliance is a government-funded, not-for-profit operator of Western Australia's three Primary Health Networks, commissioning primary health care services for under-served communities and operating national-scale digital health platforms (Primary Health Insights, Primary Sense) used across 53% of Australia's population.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Primary Healthcare Commissioning and Coordination

NAICS

Social Assistance (624), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Health Policy, Planning & Governance (BPAIAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

State/Provincial Health Department & Public Health Administration (BPAIABAH), Health Information Exchange & Public Health Data Integration (HLAJAJAD), Local Public Health & Human Services Administration (BPAIACAK)

Keywords

• Primary health networks
• Healthcare commissioning
• Clinical decision support
• Primary care coordination
• Mental health services

Headquarters

HQ city

Subiaco

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: WAPHA is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing as part of the national Primary Health Network program. As a not-for-profit organisation, they use this funding to commission primary health care services across WA.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

WAPHA plans, commissions and funds primary healthcare services across Western Australia as the operator of three Primary Health Networks (Perth North, Perth South, Country WA), using Australian Government funding to contract service providers and community organisations that deliver care to under-served populations. It also develops and operates digital health platforms (Primary Health Insights, Primary Sense, PHOCUS) and supporting tools (Clinician Assist, Practice Assist, WAPHA Learning) that give GPs and practices data-driven clinical decision support and practice resources.

Product overview

WA Primary Health Alliance operates as a platform organization managing Western Australia's three Primary Health Networks (Perth North, Perth South, and Country WA). The core technology portfolio includes three main platforms: Primary Health Insights (a national data analytics and storage platform for PHNs), Primary Sense (a clinical decision support tool used across 15 PHNs in over 1,900 practices), and PHOCUS (a performance reporting application). These are complemented by healthcare professional tools including Clinician Assist (secure clinical guidance portal), Practice Assist (general practice support service), and WAPHA Learning (education platform). The organization also delivers digital health enablers including My Health Record, Telehealth, Electronic Prescribing, Provider Connect Australia, and Secure Messaging. Service delivery programs include Medicare Mental Health (state-wide assessment and referral), Medicare Mental Health Centres, Head to Health walk-in centres, headspace youth services, Medicare Urgent Care Clinics, Aftercare Services, Integrated Team Care, and Care Finders. This is a multi-product ecosystem designed to strengthen primary healthcare across Western Australia through data-driven insights, clinical decision support, provider tools, and commissioned community health services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Primary Health Insights: A secure, collaborative platform for storing and analysing primary health care data, developed collectively by Primary Health Networks.
• Primary Sense
• PHOCUS
• Clinician Assist
• Practice Assist
• Medicare Mental Health

Products and services

• Primary Health Insights A secure, collaborative platform for storing and analysing primary healthcare data, providing data storage, management, security and governance structures for Primary Health Networks across Australia.
• Primary Sense A PHN-built clinical decision support tool using the Johns Hopkins ACG System to provide population health insights and hospitalisation risk prediction to general practices at the point of care. Used across 1,900+ practices, 8,000+ clinicians and 14 million patients.
• PHOCUS A secure cloud-based application that simplifies and enhances performance data reporting for Primary Health Networks in line with Australian Government Department of Health requirements.
• Clinician Assist WA A secure, free website for GPs and other health professionals across WA to help navigate patients through the complex primary, community and tertiary healthcare systems.
• Practice Assist A free support service offering advice, resources and education to help strengthen general practice teams across Western Australia.
• WAPHA Learning An education and training platform for health professionals across Western Australia offering workshops, courses and professional development.
• Medicare Mental Health (state-wide phone service) A state-wide phone service offering free confidential assessment and referral for anyone seeking mental and emotional wellbeing support, providing a secure electronic referral system for GPs.
• Medicare Mental Health Centres Walk-in centres where adults can access free and confidential mental health information, services and support. Locations include Midland, Armadale/Gosnells, Balga/Mirrabooka and satellites.
• Head to Health Walk-in services for adults experiencing mild to moderate mental health concerns offering free advice, support, assessment and short to medium term treatment.
• headspace Services Youth mental health services providing expert health workers in safe, confidential and youth-friendly environments for 12-25 year olds, covering mental health, physical health, alcohol and other drug services, and work and study support across multiple WA locations.
• Medicare Urgent Care Clinics Free, immediate treatment and care for patients with non-life-threatening injuries or illnesses across multiple WA locations including Armadale, Beeliar, Broome, Clarkson, Geraldton, Melville, Mundaring, Stirling, Swan and Wanneroo, reducing pressure on emergency departments.
• Integrated Team Care (ITC) A program helping Aboriginal people coordinate the management of chronic conditions and improve access to support and other services through culturally appropriate care.
• Care Finders A specialist service providing intensive assistance to senior Australians to understand and access aged care and connect with relevant community supports.
• Aftercare Services Program Timely, practical and compassionate support for people discharged from hospital following suicidal crisis, providing continuity of care in the community.

Quantifiable outcome

• 53% of Australian population (14 million patients) served through Primary Sense clinical decision support tool
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PHN CooperativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational collaboration of Australia's 31 PHNs working together to deliver on a national agenda in primary health priority areas. WA Primary Health Alliance has strong representation on national PHN Cooperative working groups including workforce, aged care, after hours, mental health and alcohol and other drugs.
• Australian Digital Health AgencycoreTechnology or IntegrationGovernment-funded organisation responsible for developing and supporting digital health across Australia. WAPHA works in partnership with the Agency to progress healthcare in Western Australia through digital initiatives including My Health Record, secure messaging, electronic prescribing, and telehealth.
• Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and AgeingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary funder of WAPHA's operations as part of the national PHN program. Partnership involves planning, guiding and directing investment towards primary care services.
• Department of Health WAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState government health department and joint partner in the WA Collaborative Commissioning Partnership to deliver better integration of health care across Western Australia.
• Aboriginal Health Council of WAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeak body for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services in WA and joint partner in the WA Collaborative Commissioning Partnership to deliver better integration of health care.
• Gold Coast PHNcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal developer of Primary Sense clinical decision support tool in 2018. WAPHA led the expansion of Primary Sense to national capability in 2021 across 15 PHNs.
• Queensland HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmergency care data collaboration project using Primary Health Insights platform for secure data sharing between Queensland Health and Queensland PHNs.
• Queensland PHNscoreTechnology or IntegrationAll Queensland PHNs adopted Primary Health Insights platform for data storage and governance. Collaboration on emergency care data sharing project.
• Australian Institute of Health and WelfareminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunder of Primary Health Insights platform along with participating PHNs.
• WA Mental Health CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState government mental health commission working collaboratively with WAPHA on suicide prevention programs, aftercare services, and headspace services. Joint funder of universal aftercare services from January 2023.
• Black Dog InstitutecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTraining partner for depression management and suicidality education courses supported by WAPHA under the Australian Government's PHN Program. Also delivers Advanced Training in Suicide Prevention and 'Dealing with Depression in Rural Australia' program.
• Rural Clinical School of WAcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDeveloped GP Management of Patient Depression and Suicidality course in collaboration with psychiatrist Dr Mat Coleman, in partnership with WAPHA.
• Telethon Kids InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with WAPHA to obtain information specific to GP needs through the WA Aftercare Survey for suicide prevention program development.
• Universities and Primary Care Industry BodiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPHNs collaborate with universities and primary care industry bodies to develop and maintain Primary Sense tool suitable for PHNs and general practices across Australia.
• eMHPracminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDelivers Digital Mental Health Training roadshow for GPs and primary care clinicians across WA, providing face-to-face digital mental health presentations.
• Wesley LifeForceminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDelivers Suicide Prevention Training for Primary Care Support Staff Workshops supported by WAPHA under the Australian Government's PHN Program.
• APNA (Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLeads Mental Health First Aid Training for Primary Health Care Nurses in general practice with virtual workshops in regional WA.
• Johns Hopkins UniversitycoreTechnology or IntegrationPrimary Sense uses the Johns Hopkins ACG System tool for analysing population health data and predicting patients' risk of hospitalisation - unique within general practice support software in Australia.
• European Alliance Against Depression (EAAD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWAPHA was first to bring the Alliance Against Depression framework to Australia, using the EAAD 4-pillar evidence-based approach for optimising care of people with depression and preventing suicidal behaviour.
• Aboriginal Community Controlled Health OrganisationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWAPHA works closely and collaboratively with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations resulting in initiatives such as the Integrated Team Care: Country to City report and joint reconciliation efforts.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Brisbane North PHN: Operates one of Queensland's 31 Primary Health Networks with an identical commissioning and primary-care coordination remit to WAPHA, funded by the same federal PHN program and adopting WAPHA-led platforms such as Primary Sense.
• Murray PHN: Operates across northern Victoria and parts of southern NSW — a multi-region PHN structure that closely mirrors WAPHA's three-PHN model and similarly serves large rural/remote populations.
• Central and Eastern Sydney PHN: NSW metropolitan PHN with the same federal commissioning mandate as WAPHA and significant focus on under-served multicultural and disadvantaged communities, making it a strong operational peer.
• North Coast PHN: NSW PHN covering a rural/regional catchment with the same primary-care commissioning remit and adoption of national platforms such as Primary Sense and Primary Health Insights.
• Hunter New England and Central Coast PHN: One of Australia's largest PHNs by geography and budget, performing the same primary-care commissioning and digital enablement functions as WAPHA across a rural-heavy catchment in NSW.
• Country SA PHN: South Australian PHN serving rural and remote populations with a comparable commissioning and primary-care model to WAPHA's Country WA PHN.
• North Western Melbourne PHN: Victorian PHN performing the same primary-care planning, commissioning and digital enablement functions as WAPHA across its catchment, making it a directly comparable peer for funding scale and operating model.
• Gold Coast PHN: Original developer of the Primary Sense clinical decision support tool, which WAPHA subsequently scaled nationally; a directly comparable PHN operator and a key technology partner.
• South Eastern Melbourne PHN: Metropolitan Victorian PHN with an equivalent primary-care commissioning mandate and similar digital health programs to WAPHA, including use of Primary Health Insights.

Broad incumbents

• Healthdirect Australia: National public-funded digital health services provider (including telehealth, health information and service directories) that operates adjacent to WAPHA's digital enablement remit and shares the Australian Government as principal funder.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/wapha_phns

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about WA Primary Health Alliance