Victorian Department of Health
The Victorian Department of Health is a state government department that plans, funds, regulates, and delivers public healthcare across Victoria, Australia, operating through 300+ hospitals, 900+ pharmacies, digital platforms (Virtual Emergency Department, Virtual Hospital, Chemist Care Now), and statewide mental health, women's health, and harm reduction programs serving the entire Victorian population.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersMelbourne, Australia
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Victorian Department of Health does
The Victorian Department of Health is a state government department of the State Government of Victoria, headquartered at 50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne. It is responsible for healthcare policy, planning, funding, regulation, and direct service delivery across the state of Victoria, Australia. The department oversees 300+ hospitals and health services, funds over 500 health organisations, and operates across hospitals and health services, primary and community health, public health, mental health, alcohol and other drugs, and ageing and aged care. Its customer base is the entire Victorian population, with particular targeted programs for women and gender-diverse people, children and families, regional and rural communities, people experiencing mental illness or substance dependence, and people experiencing social isolation.
The department's service portfolio spans physical infrastructure (hospitals, pharmacies, community clinics) and an expanding digital health platform. Core digital products include the Virtual Emergency Department (24/7 telehealth urgent care handling 940,000+ presentations since 2020, ~1,000 daily), the Virtual Hospital Pilot (hospital-at-home care launched December 2025 with Royal Melbourne Hospital and Austin Health), Chemist Care Now (free pharmacist consultations at 900+ pharmacies for conditions including UTIs, contraception, and travel vaccines), the Victorian Pill Testing Service (fixed site plus mobile harm reduction), SafeScript (real-time prescription monitoring), the Digital Green Book (child health records via Service Victoria app), and the Local Connections social prescribing program. Supporting infrastructure includes the Better Health Channel consumer website, Chief Health Officer alerts system, and the Engage Victoria public consultation platform.
The department is funded entirely through Victorian Government appropriations (public taxation), with all services provided free or low-cost to eligible Victorians. Revenue is not publicly disclosed. Strategic direction is shaped by Royal Commission recommendations (notably mental health reform) and a reform agenda that includes establishment of 12 Local Health Service Networks (July 2025), creation of Safe Food Victoria as an independent food safety regulator, and a 10-year statewide Families where a Parent Has a Mental Illness program. Leadership includes Chief Health Officer Dr. Caroline McElnay, who publishes health alerts and advisories.
Victorian Department of Health firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Victorian Department of Health
- Legal name
- Department of Health (Victorian Government)
- Website
- https://health.vic.gov.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- The Victorian Department of Health is a state government department that plans, funds, regulates, and delivers public healthcare across Victoria, Australia, operating through 300+ hospitals, 900+ pharmacies, digital platforms (Virtual Emergency Department, Virtual Hospital, Chemist Care Now), and statewide mental health, women's health, and harm reduction programs serving the entire Victorian population.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Victorian Department of Health industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Healthcare Services
- NAICS
- Administration of Public Health Programs (92312), General Medical and Surgical Hospitals (6221), Home Health Care Services (621610)
- SIC
- Services-General Medical & Surgical Hospitals, Nec (8062), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Home Health Care Services (8082)
- akta.pro primary industry
- State/Provincial/Regional Health Departments (HLAJAAAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- State/Provincial Health Department & Public Health Administration (BPAIABAH), Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion Departments (HLAJAAAN), Maternal, Child & Family Health Departments (HLAJAAAK)
Keywords
Where Victorian Department of Health is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Melbourne
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
Victorian Department of Health business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Government Funding: The Department of Health is a Victorian Government department funded through public taxation and government appropriations. It plans, develops policy, regulates and funds over 500 health services and organisations across Victoria.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Free healthcare services for all Victorians |
| Subscription | Annual | Free vaccines for eligible groups |
| Subscription | Annual | Free and confidential pill testing service |
| Subscription | Annual | Free pharmacy consultations for common conditions |
| Subscription | Annual | Free advance care planning forms |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels8 records
Marketing channels8 records
Victorian Department of Health product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Victorian Department of Health is a state government agency that plans, funds, regulates, and delivers public healthcare services across Victoria, Australia. It operates a network of more than 300 hospitals and health services and runs community-based and digital health programs including the Virtual Emergency Department, Chemist Care Now pharmacy program, the Victorian Pill Testing Service, immunisation programs, women's health clinics, mental health and wellbeing locals, and public health alerts.
Product overview
The Victorian Department of Health operates a comprehensive platform of interconnected health services and programs rather than a single commercial product. Core offerings include the Virtual Emergency Department (VED) providing 24/7 telehealth urgent care, the Virtual Hospital Pilot delivering hospital-level care at home, and Chemist Care Now enabling pharmacy-based treatment for common conditions. The department's portfolio spans digital health services (pill testing, health alerts), community health programs (Local Connections social prescribing, Women's Health and Wellbeing Program, Families where a Parent Has a Mental Illness program), clinical support tools (Advance Care Planning forms, Immunisation Program), and health sector guidelines (Victorian Guideline on Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers). These services work together to provide accessible, comprehensive healthcare across Victoria's public health system.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Virtual Emergency Department (VED) 24/7 free telehealth urgent care via video call for non-life-threatening health issues, available to all Victorians. Handles more than 1,000 patients daily.
- Virtual Hospital Pilot Hospital-level care delivered to patients in their own homes through partnership between Royal Melbourne Hospital and Austin Health, freeing up hospital beds. Has served over 500 patients.
- Chemist Care Now Pharmacy-based program providing free consultations at 900+ participating chemists for common conditions including UTIs, hormonal contraception resupply, shingles, psoriasis, school sores, travel vaccinations, acute/mild musculoskeletal pain, and direct access to oral contraceptive pill. Patients pay only for medication.
- Victorian Pill Testing Service Free, legal, and confidential drug checking service with a fixed site in Fitzroy and a mobile service across Victoria. Provides harm reduction support and issues drug notifications about concerning substances.
- Local Connections (Social Prescribing) Social prescribing program connecting adults experiencing loneliness or social isolation to community activities and social groups through Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals.
- Advance Care Planning Forms Free downloadable advance care directive, medical treatment decision maker appointment, and support person appointment forms under the Medical Treatment Planning and Decisions Act 2016.
- Immunisation Program Victorian immunisation schedule providing free vaccines through the National Immunisation Program and Victorian Government-funded programs including MMR, Hepatitis B, Rabies, Japanese encephalitis, Mpox, and RSV monoclonal antibody for eligible groups.
- Families where a Parent Has a Mental Illness Program Statewide initiative providing mental health and wellbeing support for families where a parent has a mental illness, including peer support groups, referral to services, and financial support through Program Coordinators and Community Workers in each Area Mental Health Service.
- Women's Health and Wellbeing Program Program providing free or low-cost expert women's healthcare through Women's Health Clinics, Virtual Women's Health Clinic, Mobile Women's Health Clinic, Aboriginal Women's Health Clinic, and sexual and reproductive health hubs.
- Health Alerts and Advisories Chief Health Officer alerts and advisories issued to the Victorian public and health sector on current health issues including respiratory infections, disease outbreaks, and drug alerts.
Quantifiable outcome
- 940,000+ patient presentations handled by Virtual Emergency Department since 2020
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Victorian Department of Health
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Victorian Department of Health technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Victorian Department of Health partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- The Royal Melbourne HospitalminorThe Royal Melbourne Hospital allowed the Department to use their 'Viral Haemorrhagic Fever Management Guideline' as a foundation for the Victorian guideline on viral haemorrhagic fevers.
- Local Public Health Units (LPHUs)coreLPHUs collaborated in development of Victorian VHF guidelines alongside health services, Primary Health Networks, Ambulance Victoria, VIDRL, and EPA Victoria.
- Royal Melbourne Hospital and Austin HealthcorePartnership between Royal Melbourne Hospital and Austin Health leads Victoria's first Virtual Hospital Pilot, delivering hospital-level care at home and expanding virtual care access. Pilot launched December 2025, has cared for 500+ patients.
- Wellways (Benalla, Wangaratta, Mansfield, Frankston)coreWellways delivers Mental Health and Wellbeing Local services in Benalla, Wangaratta, Mansfield, and Frankston regions as part of Victoria's mental health reform. These services provide community-based mental health support including social prescribing through the Local Connections program.
- cohealth (Brimbank)corecohealth delivers Mental Health and Wellbeing Local services in Brimbank, providing community mental health support including social prescribing through the Local Connections program.
- Barwon Health (Greater Geelong and Queenscliffe)coreBarwon Health delivers Mental Health and Wellbeing Local services in Greater Geelong and Queenscliffe regions as part of the social prescribing trial and mental health reform.
- Neami National (Latrobe, Whittlesea)coreNeami National delivers Mental Health and Wellbeing Local services in Latrobe and Whittlesea regions, providing community mental health support including social prescribing.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Victorian Department of Health competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- SA Health: SA Health is the South Australian state health authority, responsible for hospitals, health services regulation, and public health programs. It is directly comparable in scale and statutory function to the Victorian Department of Health.
- Queensland Health: Queensland Health is the state health department serving Queensland, with a similar mix of hospital governance, public health programs, and regional service delivery. Like the Victorian Department, it manages a large distributed hospital network across metropolitan and regional areas.
- NSW Health: NSW Health is the equivalent state-level health department for New South Wales, Australia's most populous state. It operates a comparable portfolio of public hospitals, community health, mental health, and digital health initiatives, making it the closest functional peer to the Victorian Department of Health.
- Department of Health Tasmania: Tasmania's Department of Health oversees the state's public hospitals, community health, mental health, and public health functions. It is a smaller but structurally identical state-level health department peer.
- Northern Territory Department of Health: The NT Department of Health runs the public health system across the Northern Territory, including hospital services, remote primary care, and public health programs. It is a directly comparable state/territory-level health authority operating under similar statutory mandate.
- Western Australia Department of Health: WA Health operates the public health system for Western Australia, overseeing hospitals, mental health, public health, and digital health services. It faces similar geographic dispersion challenges and provides comparable statewide stewardship of a publicly funded health system.
- ACT Health Directorate: The ACT Health Directorate administers public health services for the Australian Capital Territory. While serving a smaller jurisdiction, it performs the same statutory role of hospital governance, public health, and digital service delivery as the Victorian Department of Health.
Regional players
- California Department of Public Health: The California Department of Public Health is a sub-national public health authority in the United States with comparable responsibilities in disease prevention, health alerts, immunisation programs, and population health regulation. It parallels the Victorian Department's public health and regulatory functions, though it does not directly deliver hospital services.
Broad incumbents
- NHS England: NHS England commissions and oversees publicly funded healthcare across England, including hospitals, primary care, and digital health services. It is a comparable public-sector health steward operating a universal healthcare system at population scale, similar in mandate to Victoria's Department of Health.
- Australian Department of Health and Aged Care: The federal Department of Health and Aged Care sets national health policy, funds Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, and operates aged care programs. It is a higher-level incumbent that funds and partially overlaps with state departments like Victoria's, but operates at national rather than state level.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Victorian Department of Health social profiles
Digital presenceVictorian Department of Health financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Victorian Department of Health leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Victorian Department of Health funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Victorian Department of Health M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments2 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Victorian Department of Health
What does Victorian Department of Health do?
The Victorian Department of Health is a state government agency that plans, funds, regulates, and delivers public healthcare services across Victoria, Australia. It operates a network of more than 300 hospitals and health services and runs community-based and digital health programs including the Virtual Emergency Department, Chemist Care Now pharmacy program, the Victorian Pill Testing Service, immunisation programs, women's health clinics, mental health and wellbeing locals, and public health alerts.
Is Victorian Department of Health a public or private company?
Victorian Department of Health is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Victorian Department of Health founded?
Victorian Department of Health was founded in 2015. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is Victorian Department of Health based?
Victorian Department of Health is headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Victorian Department of Health make money?
One revenue line is on record: government Funding.
Who are Victorian Department of Health's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are SA Health, Queensland Health, NSW Health, Department of Health Tasmania, Northern Territory Department of Health, Western Australia Department of Health and ACT Health Directorate. California Department of Public Health is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are NHS England and Australian Department of Health and Aged Care.
Does Victorian Department of Health have an API?
No public API is recorded for Victorian Department of Health.
What industry is Victorian Department of Health in?
Victorian Department of Health's product category is Public Healthcare Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAJAAAA, State/Provincial/Regional Health Departments, with a secondary code of BPAIABAH, State/Provincial Health Department & Public Health Administration. Its NAICS code is 92312 and its SIC code is 8062.