Victorian Aboriginal Health Service

What Victorian Aboriginal Health Service does

Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) founded in 1973 and headquartered at 186 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia. It delivers culturally safe, comprehensive primary healthcare to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through five locations - Fitzroy (headquarters with medical, dental, allied health, and a respiratory clinic), Preston (family counselling, women's and children's services), South Morang, St Albans, and Bunjilwarra in Hastings (a 12-bed statewide youth residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation service operated with Youth Support + Advocacy Service). Service lines include general medical, dental, family counselling and social emotional wellbeing, women's and children's health, men's health, preventive health, allied health (physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dietetics, podiatry), NDIS support, and the 24/7 Yarning SafeNStrong telephone counselling helpline.

The organisation is a registered charity under the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) and is community-governed by an elected Board of Directors drawn from the Aboriginal community; it is a member of NACCHO and VACCHO. Revenue derives primarily from Medicare bulk billing (no out-of-pocket costs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients with valid Medicare cards) supplemented by Commonwealth and State government program funding covering HACC, NDIS, health promotion, and youth AOD services, with incentive vouchers ($30 for 715 health checks, $20 for GP Management Plans) used to drive preventive uptake. Distribution combines fixed-site clinic access with outreach, home visits, medication drop-off, 30km patient transport, and statewide referral pipelines into Bunjilwarra and the helpline.

The technology stack is not publicly disclosed beyond use of an electronic medical record with patient-confidentiality security restrictions. There is no parent company, no subsidiaries beyond Bunjilwarra, no funding rounds, no M&A activity, and no patents. Marketing is community-led through Facebook, YouTube, newsletters, NAIDOC events, and media releases. Headcount sits in the 101-250 range across five sites.

Name

Victorian Aboriginal Health Service

Legal name

Victorian Aboriginal Health Service

Website

https://vahs.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Victorian Aboriginal Health Service is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation founded in 1973 that delivers culturally safe primary medical, dental, mental health, and allied health services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Victoria through five clinic locations and statewide programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Health Services

NAICS

Health Care and Social Assistance (62), Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities (623220), Home Health Care Services (62161)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Home Health Care Services (8082)

akta.pro primary industry

Primary Care for Underserved Populations (e.g., migrant, homeless, refugee clinics) (HLAFAGAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) & Public Behavioral Health Providers (HLAFACAI)

Keywords

• Aboriginal health services
• Primary healthcare delivery
• Community controlled health
• Bulk billing medical
• Mental health counselling

Headquarters

HQ city

Fitzroy

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Medicare Bulk Billing: VAHS operates as a bulk billing service where all services are directly charged to Medicare, eliminating out-of-pocket costs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. This is the primary revenue mechanism for clinical services.
2. Government Funding: As an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, VAHS receives Commonwealth and State government funding for specific health programs including HACC (Home and Community Care), NDIS services, and various health promotion initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) that provides comprehensive primary healthcare, dental, mental health, allied health, family counselling, women's and children's health, men's health, NDIS, and youth residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Victoria. Services are delivered through clinic locations (Fitzroy, Preston, South Morang, St Albans) and the Bunjilwarra residential facility, with bulk billing via Medicare, home visits, transport support, and a 24/7 counselling helpline.

Product overview

The Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) operates as an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) providing a comprehensive, holistic range of integrated health services to the Aboriginal community. The service operates multiple clinic locations (Fitzroy, Preston, South Morang, St Albans) offering medical, dental, family counselling, mental health, allied health, and specialist services. Key services include the Medical Clinic, Dental Unit, Family Counselling Service, Women's and Children's Unit, Men's Unit, Preventative Health Unit, and Community Programs (Allied Health). VAHS also operates specialized programs including Yarning SafeNStrong (24/7 counselling helpline), Bunjilwarra (youth residential rehabilitation), NDIS services, and health promotion resources like Deadly Dan and Koori Parenting Resources. The organization provides bulk billing services with transport support and home visit capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bunjilwarra: Koorie Youth Alcohol and Drug Healing Service - a 12-bed residential rehabilitation service for Aboriginal young people aged 16-25 with alcohol and other drug issues, situated in Hastings, Mornington Peninsula.

Products and services

• Medical Clinic Provides comprehensive primary healthcare services including GP consultations, health checks, chronic disease management, specialist referrals, and visiting medical specialists (cardiologist, ophthalmologist, general surgeon, ENT surgeon, gynecologist, geriatrician, dermatologist) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Includes duty doctor system and home visit capabilities.
• Dental Services Offers general dentistry including check-ups, cleans, fillings, extractions, root canal treatments, surgical extractions, periodontal treatment, dentures, mouthguards, and children's dental programs (Smile Squad and CDBS).
• Family Counselling Service Provides culturally safe social emotional wellbeing and mental health counselling, cultural healing and recovery programs, care coordination and outreach support through Adult Social Emotional Wellbeing, Koori Kids, Financial Wellbeing, and Ice Pilot Program.
• Women's and Children's Services Delivers services including Koorie Maternity Service, Maternal Child Health Services, ENT Clinic and Audiology, Speech Therapy, Balert Gerrbik Koorie Families as First Educators, Paediatric Clinic, and Aboriginal Health Checks for children and young people.
• Men's Unit Provides health support for Aboriginal men including health checks, health plans, counselling, case work, fathering support, relationships advice, anger management, family violence groups, and men's camps.
• Preventative Health Unit Provides health promotion services including The Koori Way Program focused on smoking cessation and healthy lifestyle choices.
• Allied Health Services HACC-funded services for older and frail Aboriginal people and those with disabilities, providing physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dietetics, podiatry, Aboriginal Health Workers, and Active Koories physical activity programs.
• South Morang Clinic Satellite medical clinic providing GP services, health assessments, patient support, outreach services, and referrals to services at the Fitzroy Medical Clinic including diabetes educator, optometry, physiotherapy, and mental health services.
• Yarning SafeNStrong Helpline A free and confidential 24/7 telephone counselling service (1800 959 563) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples providing support with social and emotional wellbeing, financial wellbeing, medical support including COVID-19 testing, and drug and alcohol counselling.
• Bunjilwarra Residential Rehabilitation A 12-bed residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation and healing service for Aboriginal young people aged 16-25, operating as a statewide service in Hastings. Follows Aboriginal-defined healing framework with trauma-informed practice and therapeutic community approach, operated in collaboration with Youth Support + Advocacy Service (YSAS).
• NDIS Services National Disability Insurance Scheme services including allied health services (podiatry, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dietetics, community nursing, counselling) with an Aboriginal Disability Liaison Officer to help determine eligibility and guide through the application process.

Quantifiable outcome

• More Aboriginal children are being born with healthy birthweight, nationally and in Victoria - target on track to be met

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Youth Support + Advocacy Service (YSAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVAHS operates Bunjilwarra Koorie Youth Alcohol and Drug Healing Service in collaboration with YSAS. Bunjilwarra is a 12-bed residential rehabilitation service for Aboriginal young people aged 16-25, situated on a 1.7 hectare site in Hastings, Victoria. YSAS provides expertise in youth alcohol and drug services supporting the healing program.
• Odyssey HouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Aboriginal Metropolitan Ice Partnership initiative, an 18-month pilot project addressing ice-related issues impacting Aboriginal people and families in North West Metropolitan Melbourne.
• Uniting Care ReGenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Aboriginal Metropolitan Ice Partnership initiative providing coordinated approach towards care and recovery for users and families affected by ice and other alcohol/drug issues.
• Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Aboriginal Metropolitan Ice Partnership initiative for Eastern Melbourne region.
• Ringwood Eastern HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Aboriginal Metropolitan Ice Partnership initiative for Eastern Melbourne.
• Ngwala WillumbongminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Aboriginal Metropolitan Ice Partnership initiative for Southern Melbourne.
• Monash HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Aboriginal Metropolitan Ice Partnership initiative for Southern Melbourne region.
• Royal Children's Hospital Mental Health ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership established in 1999 for mental health services collaboration.
• Royal Dental HospitalminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerReferral destination for specialist dental treatments not available within VAHS public dental system.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services (KAMS): Regional ACCHO in remote Western Australia providing comprehensive primary healthcare and member support to affiliated Aboriginal medical services. Same community-controlled governance and integrated service delivery as VAHS, though in remote rather than urban setting.
• Tasmanian Aboriginal Health Service: ACCHO providing primary healthcare, dental, and community programs to Aboriginal communities in Tasmania. Operates multi-site model with bulk billing and Aboriginal community governance — direct peer to VAHS in scale and service mix.
• Danila Dilba Health Service: ACCHO based in Darwin, Northern Territory, providing comprehensive primary healthcare, dental, mental health, and family services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Operates multiple clinic sites with bulk billing model analogous to VAHS.
• Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services: ACCHO serving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the ACT region. Offers primary healthcare, mental health, AOD services, and justice support under Aboriginal community control — comparable urban ACCHO model to VAHS.
• Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH): Regional ACCHO network in South East Queensland operating multiple clinic sites with integrated primary healthcare, dental, allied health, and family services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Larger scale than VAHS but same community-controlled model and multi-site delivery.
• Aboriginal Medical Service Redfern: Australia's first Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (founded 1971), located in inner-city Sydney. Provides comprehensive primary healthcare, dental, mental health, and drug and alcohol services to Aboriginal communities — the original model and most direct peer to VAHS.

Broad incumbents

• National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO): National peak body for the 140+ ACCHO network. VAHS is a member. NACCHO operates at policy, advocacy, and sector-support level rather than direct clinical service delivery but is the overarching body governing VAHS's operating model.

Regional players

• Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW: NSW peak body representing ACCHOs across the state. Comparable to VACCHO (Victoria) which sits alongside VAHS. Represents regional peer structure rather than direct clinical service delivery.

Others

• Royal Flying Doctor Service (Victoria): Provides primary healthcare and aeromedical services to rural and remote communities in Victoria. Overlaps with VAHS's community health mission but focuses on rural/remote access rather than Indigenous-specific cultural care; a thematic adjacent peer in community health delivery.
• Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO): Victorian state peak body for ACCHOs. VAHS is a member through VACCHO's network. Provides sector advocacy and support functions but does not deliver direct clinical services comparable to VAHS.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCII7Aca2lGrdLZSwYg4cy_Q
• Facebookfacebook.com/victorianaboriginalhealthservice
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/victorian-aboriginal-health-service-co-op

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Victorian Aboriginal Health Service