Women's Health in The South East

What Women's Health in The South East does

Women's Health in The South East (WHISE) is the government-designated Regional Women's Health Service for the Southern Metropolitan Region of Melbourne, incorporated in Victoria, Australia in 1992 as a not-for-profit under the legal name Women's Health In The South East Incorporated. The organisation delivers evidence-based primary prevention and health promotion services focused on the prevention of violence against women, gender equity, sexual and reproductive health, and gender-lens mental wellbeing, with explicit attention to intersectional populations including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, women with disabilities, culturally and linguistically diverse women, and older women.

WHISE's core programmatic portfolio spans Preventing Violence Against Women programs (anchored by the Preventing Violence Together regional strategy), Sexual & Reproductive Health services (via the Good Health Down South strategy), Gender Equality initiatives, and Gender & Mental Wellbeing programs, complemented by a Training & Capacity Building practice (including Gender Equity Training and the Training for Respect VET-sector program), campaign toolkits, and recurring public campaigns (16 Days of Activism, International Women's Day, EndoMarch, Let's Talk Respect). WHISE does not develop proprietary technology products; its work is delivered through workshops, training, consultancy, resource publication, and multi-stakeholder regional coordination.

The organisation operates a grant-funded not-for-profit business model, with revenue under A$3 million generated primarily through Victorian government grants and contracts, supplemented by donations and membership fees. Its go-to-market is community-led and place-based: WHISE coordinates a regional network of 35+ partner organisations — local councils, community health services, NGOs, TAFEs, and schools — that act as both customers (purchasers of training and consultancy) and embedded distribution channels for community-facing programming. WHISE is led by CEO Kit McMahon (appointed November 2017) and governed by a member-elected Board.

Name

Women's Health in The South East

Legal name

Women's Health In The South East Incorporated

Website

https://whise.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

WHISE is the government-designated Regional Women's Health Service for Melbourne's Southern Metropolitan Region, delivering evidence-based primary prevention, gender equity, and sexual and reproductive health programs through partnerships with 35+ local councils, community health services, and NGOs across Victoria.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Women's Health and Primary Prevention Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Human Rights Organizations (813311), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGABAF

Gender Equality & Women’s Empowerment

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/International Development & Poverty Alleviation

SECONDARYBPAGAFAD

Gender Equality & Women’s Rights Advocacy

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Civil Rights, Advocacy & Public Policy Organizations

SECONDARYEDALAFAG

Sexual & Reproductive Health Services

Education/Student Services & Campus Operations/Student Health, Counseling & Wellness Services

Keywords

• Gender equity promotion
• Primary prevention services
• Women's health programs
• Violence prevention training
• Community health promotion

Headquarters

HQ city

Moorabbin

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Contracts: WHISE is a not-for-profit organisation with a turnover of less than $3 million, funded primarily through government grants and contracts to deliver women's health, primary prevention, and gender equity programs across the Southern Metropolitan Region of Melbourne.
2. Donations and Memberships: WHISE generates supplementary revenue through donations and membership fees, as reflected in the site's 'Donate Now' and 'WHISE Membership' options.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

WHISE delivers evidence-based primary prevention, gender equity, sexual and reproductive health, and gender and mental wellbeing programs for women, girls, and gender-diverse people in Melbourne's Southern Metropolitan Region. Offerings include direct community workshops, training and capacity building, consultancy, regional strategy coordination (Preventing Violence Together; Good Health Down South), online toolkits, and annual campaigns such as 16 Days of Activism, International Women's Day, Let's Talk Respect, and EndoMarch.

Product overview

WHISE (Women's Health in the South East) is the Regional Women's Health Service for the Southern Metropolitan Region of Melbourne, providing a comprehensive suite of health promotion and primary prevention services. The organization operates as a coordinated portfolio of interconnected programs including core women's health services, Preventing Violence Against Women programs, Sexual & Reproductive Health services (via the Good Health Down South strategy), Gender Equality initiatives, and Gender & Mental Wellbeing programs. These are supported by Training & Capacity Building services, the Training for Respect program for the VET sector, and various campaign toolkits including 16 Days of Activism, International Women's Day, Let's Talk Respect, EndoMarch, Parents as Partners in Prevention, Mastering Menopause, and Bridging the Gender Pain Gap initiatives. WHISE functions as a service organization rather than a technology product company, delivering community health promotion, education, training, and advocacy services to improve the health and wellbeing of women in the region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Women's Health Services A core program of primary prevention, health promotion, and gender equity services delivered to women, girls, and gender-diverse people in the Southern Metropolitan Region of Melbourne.
• Preventing Violence Against Women Programs Primary prevention initiatives to prevent gender-based violence against women, including the regional Preventing Violence Together strategy developed in collaboration with partner organisations.
• Sexual & Reproductive Health Services Services promoting optimal sexual and reproductive health through the 'Good Health Down South' regional strategy, increasing knowledge of and access to safe and appropriate services.
• Gender Equality Initiatives Programs challenging gender inequality that impacts women, strengthening actions to support equity and equality across the Southern Metropolitan Region.
• Gender & Mental Wellbeing Programs Support for mental wellbeing with a gender lens, addressing the intersection of gender and mental health for women in the region.
• Training & Capacity Building Services Programs supporting growth, awareness raising, and skill building in prevention of violence against women, sexual and reproductive health, and gender equity for partner organisations, workplaces, and community groups.
• Training for Respect (VET Sector Program) A training program for the vocational education and training (VET) sector, targeting students and professionals in Registered Training Organisations with respectful relationships content, supported by WorkWell Respect.
• Mastering Menopause Program Program providing education and support about menopause for women in the Southern Metropolitan Region of Melbourne.
• Bridging the Gender Pain Gap Initiative Initiative addressing gender disparities in pain assessment and treatment, developed in response to the Victorian Government's Inquiry into Women's Pain.
• Gender Equity and Family Violence Consultancy Services Consultancy services to organisations seeking to embed gender equity, prevent family violence, and build workforce capability in primary prevention.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 30 organisations partnered in the Preventing Violence Together regional strategy, reaching across local government and community health services in the Southern Metropolitan Region.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• La Trobe UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 April 2025WHISE was successful in securing funding through La Trobe University's Partners in Prevention of Sexual Violence Project — a national initiative focused on strengthening the evidence base for what works to prevent sexual violence in Australia. The funding supports the pilot and evaluation of Parents as Partners in Prevention, a new program helping parents navigate teen consent and sexuality conversations.
• The Women's Spirit ProjectcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 March 2021WHISE announced a partnership with The Women's Spirit Project to empower women experiencing disadvantage in the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula area. WHISE provides advocacy and administrative support for the Women Spirit Project and the major event Why Women Walk from Frank to Schanck — a 70km three-day walking challenge for women's health and wellbeing. An evaluation conducted with Monash University demonstrates improved self-esteem, connectedness, and resilience among participants.
• Gender Equity VictoriaflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 February 2021WHISE is a key partner in the Action for Gender Equality Partnership announced by the Commission on Gender Equality in the Public Services. Gender Equity Victoria (GEN VIC) is the Victorian peak body for gender equity, women's health, and the prevention of violence against women. WHISE collaborates with GEN VIC on campaigns including the 40 Years Strong celebration of Victorian women's health services.
• Chisholm TAFEcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 April 2020A landmark partnership between Women's Health and TAFE Women's Health in the South East (WHISE) and Chisholm TAFE was announced to advance gender equity across the Southern Metropolitan Region of Melbourne. The formal partnership represents a collaboration between the women's health sector and vocational education to drive grassroots change in the community.
• Bentleigh Bayside Community HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBentleigh Bayside Community Health is an annual partner in WHISE's International Women's Day awards ceremony. WHISE, Bentleigh Bayside Community Health, Bentleigh Secondary College, Rotary, and Moongala Community House co-host the annual awards to honour outstanding women in the Southern Metropolitan Region across categories including Inspirational Woman, Community Contributor, Social Change Agent, Future Leader, and Outstanding Women's Action Group.
• Victorian Women's Health Services Network (WHSN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWHISE is a member of the Victorian Women's Health Services Network (WHSN). In February 2025, WHISE participated in the WHSN Conference at Melbourne Town Hall, joining women's health leaders from across Victoria to deepen collaboration and strengthen the collective approach to gender equality. Key themes included the power of lived experience in shaping services.
• Southern Melbourne Primary Care Partnership (SMPCP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSMPCP is a key regional partner in WHISE's delivery of gender equity training and primary prevention programs. WHISE has partnered with SMPCP to deliver Gender Equity Training to Connect Health and Community, Bayside City Council, Central Bayside Community Health Services, Glen Eira City Council, and Jewish Care. SMPCP also collaborated with WHISE on the Gender Equity Workplace e-Learning Module.
• Southern Melbourne Integrated Family Violence Partnership (SMIFVP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSMIFVP is a regional partnership that WHISE works closely with on the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign and broader family violence prevention initiatives. The partnership includes SECASA, Safe Steps, Salvation Army Family Violence Crisis Service, Victoria Police, Stonnington, City of Melbourne, and Port Phillip. Linda Watson coordinates SMIFVP.
• City of Greater DandenongcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity of Greater Dandenong is a core partner in WHISE's regional strategies and campaigns. The organisation is featured in WHISE's partner logo section and participates in violence prevention and gender equity initiatives across the Southern Metropolitan Region.
• City of KingstoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity of Kingston is a core partner in WHISE's regional strategies. Kingston collaborated with WHISE, Port Phillip, Bayside, Glen Eira, Monash, and Stonnington on the Gender Equity Workplace e-Learning Module focused on building workforce knowledge on primary prevention of family violence.
• City of Port PhillipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity of Port Phillip is a core partner in WHISE's regional strategies and has participated in initiatives including the Annual Walk Against Family Violence at Federation Square alongside Safe Steps, Salvation Army, Victoria Police, Stonnington, SECASA, and City of Melbourne.
• Cardinia Shire CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCardinia Shire Council partnered with Family Life and WHISE on the Together We Can Community Leadership Summit, bringing together 126 community leaders and 11 sectors. Cardinia also ran the Together We Can campaign, provides media support on best practice violence reporting, and is a regular participant in regional prevention initiatives.
• Glen Eira City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlen Eira City Council partnered with WHISE and other councils on the Gender Equity Workplace e-Learning Module. Glen Eira has also been involved in the Walk Against Family Violence March and other 16 Days of Activism events.
• Bayside City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBayside City Council joined the One Million Stars initiative in collaboration with SMPCP, with 34 community organisations and 500 community members reached. Bayside has also received Gender Equity Training from WHISE and SMPCP and participated in the 2017 Walk Against Family Violence.
• City of FrankstoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity of Frankston is a core partner in WHISE's regional initiatives, including the 16 Days of Activism campaign and the Why Women Walk partnership with The Women's Spirit Project. WHISE has worked with Frankston-based schools on gender equality activities.
• Central Bayside Community Health ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCentral Bayside Community Health Services (CBCCHS) is a partner in gender equity training delivered by WHISE, SMPCP, and the Bayside Peninsula IFV Partnership. CBCCHS represents a key community health link in the regional prevention network.
• South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault and Family Violence (SECASA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSECASA participates in the Southern Melbourne Integrated Family Violence Partnership with WHISE and is a partner in the 16 Days of Activism campaign. SECASA also participated in Strengthening Hospitals Responses to Family Violence, presenting at Monash Medical Centre.
• Connect Health and CommunitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConnect Health and Community received Gender Equity Training from WHISE in partnership with SMPCP and the Bayside Peninsula IFV Partnership. Following training, Connect Health and Community's leadership team and Board implemented a Workforce Employee and Organisation-wide Family Violence Policy and Procedure to support staff, clients, and community members.
• Uniting (Victorian Tasmanian Synod)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniting is listed as a partner organisation in WHISE's footer partner logo section. Uniting provides community services across Victoria and is part of the broader network of organisations WHISE collaborates with.
• WindermereminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWindermere is listed as a partner organisation in WHISE's footer partner logo section. Windermere is a community services organisation operating in the southern Melbourne region.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Sexual Health Victoria (formerly Family Planning Victoria): Victorian provider of sexual and reproductive health education, training, and clinical information. Direct peer in WHISE's sexual and reproductive health stream (Good Health Down South strategy), delivering comparable education, training, and capacity-building services.
• Women's Health West: Melbourne's western regional women's health service. Direct peer operating under the same government-designated Regional Women's Health Service model as WHISE, serving an adjacent Melbourne metropolitan region with the same portfolio of primary prevention, gender equity, and sexual and reproductive health programs.
• Gender Equity Victoria (GEN VIC): Victorian peak body for gender equity, women's health, and prevention of violence against women. Direct peer and explicit WHISE partner, coordinating the same statewide gender equality agenda including the 40 Years Strong campaign referenced in WHISE's records.
• Multicultural Centre for Women's Health: National organisation focused on the health and wellbeing of migrant and refugee women. Direct peer in women's health promotion and sexual and reproductive health, with comparable intersectional and CALD-focused service delivery that overlaps with WHISE's priority populations.
• Women's Health Grampians: Regional women's health service for the Grampians area of western Victoria. Direct peer under the same Regional Women's Health Service funding framework, delivering an analogous portfolio of women's health promotion, primary prevention, and gender equity programs to a regional population.
• Women's Health in the North: Melbourne's northern regional women's health service. Direct peer under the Victorian Regional Women's Health Service framework, delivering the same suite of women's health promotion, primary prevention, and gender equity programs in the northern metropolitan region.
• Gippsland Women's Health: Regional women's health service covering Gippsland in Victoria. Direct peer under the same Regional Women's Health Service framework, delivering an analogous portfolio of gender equity, violence prevention, and sexual and reproductive health programs in a regional Victorian setting.

Broad incumbents

• Our Watch: Australia's national violence prevention organisation. Comparable because both WHISE and Our Watch drive evidence-based primary prevention of violence against women, though Our Watch operates nationally and at a policy/standards level while WHISE delivers regionally.
• YWCA Australia: National women's organisation delivering housing, advocacy, leadership, and safety programs. Broad incumbent serving overlapping beneficiary populations and addressing comparable issues including gender-based violence and women's empowerment, but operating at significantly larger scale and broader scope.
• Women's Health Victoria: The state-wide peak body for women's health in Victoria and WHISE's network counterpart. Comparable because both operate within Victoria's Women's Health Services Network and deliver gender equity and women's health policy and advocacy work, though Women's Health Victoria operates at state rather than regional level.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCMbxv8EUDKUsjGpk3TSjE6A
• Facebookfacebook.com/whisewomen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/whisewomen
• Instagraminstagram.com/whisewomen
• Xx.com/whisewomen

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Women's Health in The South East