Rainbow Health Australia

What Rainbow Health Australia does

Rainbow Health Australia is a non-profit program within the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS) at La Trobe University in Bundoora, Victoria, that supports lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) health and wellbeing through research translation, training, and service accreditation. The organisation operates a portfolio of fee-for-service training programs — True Colours (introductory online module), Work with Pride (interpersonal skills), How2 (seven-week whole-of-organisation strategy program), Silver Rainbow/Rainbows Don't Fade with Age (aged care), and How2 for ACCOs (Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations) — delivered via Zoom, an LMS, and on-site at client workplaces. Its flagship offering is the Rainbow Tick, a national quality framework comprising six standards for LGBTIQ cultural safety in health and human services, with accreditation delivered exclusively through two independent accrediting bodies (QIP and ACHS). The organisation also runs initiatives including Rainbow Network (youth services), Val's Ageing and Aged Care, the LGBTIQ Family Violence Prevention Project (Pride in Prevention), and the Rainbow Tick Implementation Program. The core technology is not software but rather a proprietary accreditation framework, evidence-based training content, and a national research translation capability anchored by landmark studies (Private Lives 3, Writing Themselves In 4).

Rainbow Health Australia is funded primarily by the Victorian Government — Family Safety Victoria, the Department of Families Fairness and Housing, and the Department of Health — with additional Commonwealth funding via the Department of Social Services. A recent $2.1 million three-year partnership with the Victorian Government (announced June 2026) supports family violence prevention activities across five delivery partners. Customers are predominantly health and human services organisations (Thorne Harbour Health, VincentCare, Star Health, ACCOs, aged care providers, family violence organisations, peak bodies), with government as both funder and policy customer. The go-to-market is sales-led and community-led: direct enterprise outreach, expression-of-interest enrolment, government-funded subsidised access for eligible Victorian organisations, and Community of Practice-driven referrals within the LGBTIQ and family violence sectors. Distribution spans direct sales, online LMS self-service, on-site training delivery, and a two-partner reseller channel for accreditation assessments.

Name

Rainbow Health Australia

Legal name

Rainbow Health Australia

Website

https://rainbowhealthaustralia.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Rainbow Health Australia is a university-affiliated non-profit that supports LGBTIQ health and wellbeing through evidence-based training programs and the Rainbow Tick accreditation framework for Australian health and human services organisations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

LGBTIQ Health and Inclusion Training and Accreditation

NAICS

Social Assistance (624), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Child and Youth Services (624110)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

LGBTQ+ Rights & Advocacy Organizations (BPAGAFAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sexual Health & Relationship Wellness Education (EDAAAHAM), Inclusive Education (Disability, Gender Equity, Marginalized Learners) (BPADAKAI), Minority, Indigenous & Disability Rights (BPADAGAH)

Keywords

• LGBTIQ health training
• Cultural safety accreditation
• Inclusive practice training
• Rainbow Tick accreditation
• Family violence prevention

Headquarters

HQ city

Bundoora

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Funding: Rainbow Health Australia is funded primarily by the Victorian Government. Core funding comes from Family Safety Victoria, the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, and the Department of Health. A recent $2.1 million three-year partnership with the Victorian Government (announced June 2026) funds family violence prevention activities. Additional federal funding from the Department of Social Services supports the national partnership with Our Watch.
2. Training Program Fees: Fee-for-service training programs delivered to organisations. True Colours online module is priced at $150 per individual (GST inclusive) with group pricing on a sliding scale. Work with Pride workshops cost $2,112 (GST inclusive) for up to 30 participants. Some programs (How2 for ACCOs, programs within the Rainbow Tick Implementation Program) are free or subsidised for eligible Victorian organisations.
3. Rainbow Tick Accreditation Fees: Organisations pay fees for assessment and accreditation against the Rainbow Tick standards. Assessment is conducted by independent accrediting bodies QIP and ACHS. The Rainbow Tick Implementation Program offers subsidised fees for accreditation for eligible Victorian organisations. Costs vary based on staff numbers, sites, location, and service areas.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Rainbow Health Australia supports LGBTIQ health and wellbeing through research translation, training programs, and service accreditation. Its core offerings include a portfolio of fee-for-service training programs (True Colours, Work with Pride, How2, How2 for ACCOs, Silver Rainbow), the proprietary Rainbow Tick accreditation framework for health and human services organisations, and capacity-building initiatives (Rainbow Tick Implementation Program, Rainbow Network, Val's Ageing and Aged Care, Pride in Prevention).

Product overview

Rainbow Health Australia is a program within the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS) at La Trobe University that supports LGBTIQ health and wellbeing through research, training, and service accreditation. The organization offers a portfolio of training programs including True Colours (foundational online module), Work with Pride (interpersonal skills training), How2 (7-week organizational strategy program), Silver Rainbow/Rainbows Don't Fade with Age (aged care training), and How2 for ACCOs (custom training for Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations). The flagship accreditation offering is the Rainbow Tick, a national quality framework for health and human services organizations, supported by the Rainbow Tick Implementation Program. Additional initiatives include Rainbow Network (youth services), Val's Ageing and Aged Care, and the LGBTIQ Family Violence Prevention Project. The organization is funded primarily by the Victorian Government and serves to build partnerships with government, researchers, community, and service providers to create equity and inclusion.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• True Colours: Introduction to LGBTIQ+ Inclusive Practice Online introductory module providing foundational understanding of LGBTIQ+ people's identities, their health and wellbeing, and unique service needs. Duration: 2 hours. Individual registration cost is $150 including GST. Group pricing available on a sliding scale. Delivered via online LMS.
• Work with Pride: LGBTIQ+ Affirmative Interpersonal Skills Interactive training that guides staff teams through activities to apply affirming practice in their own role and organisational context. Prerequisite: True Colours. Duration: 4 hours. Cost: $2,112 (GST inclusive) per workshop for up to 30 participants. Delivered via Zoom.
• How2 A seven-week interactive program where participating organisations gain knowledge, skills and tools to develop a whole-of-organisation LGBTIQ+ strategy. Comprises online modules, workshops, mentoring sessions, and Communities of Practice. Minimum time commitment is 3 hours per week over 6 months. Free for eligible Victorian organisations through the Rainbow Tick Implementation Program.
• How2 for Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations A version of How2 training exclusive for ACCOs that addresses the ways of working inside Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and the needs of Rainbow Mob when accessing their services. Free for eligible Victorian ACCOs. Organisations can send between 2 to 6 staff. ACCOs outside Victoria can request a quote. Co-developed with VACCHO.
• Rainbows Don't Fade with Age (Silver Rainbow Training)

Quantifiable outcome

• Writing Themselves In 4 — largest ever study on LGBTQA+ young people aged 14-21 in Australia with 6,418 participants
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Zoe Belle Gender CollectivecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 June 2026Zoe Belle Gender Collective is a partner in the three-year, $2.1 million Victorian Government-funded partnership coordinated by Rainbow Health Australia. The Collective will deliver specialised prevention campaigns to build community capacity to intervene in instances of transphobia and homophobia. Also a longstanding partner in the Pride in Prevention project and pilot prevention initiatives including Transfemme (respectful relationships resource).
• Thorne Harbour HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 June 2026Thorne Harbour Health is a partner in the $2.1 million family violence prevention partnership. They will work with unions in male-dominated industries to improve understanding of the impacts of gender-based violence, and deliver a prevention project in the Latrobe Valley working with local organisations and regional sporting bodies. Also a partner in the Pride in Prevention project, pilot prevention initiatives (Safe Always), and an early adopter of Rainbow Tick accreditation.
• Switchboard VictoriacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 June 2026Switchboard Victoria is a partner in the $2.1 million Victorian Government-funded family violence prevention partnership. They will develop a podcast mini-series exploring the drivers and impacts of family violence on LGBTIQA+ young people, and resources for families on positive parenting of LGBTIQA+ young people.
• Proud 2 PlaycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 June 2026Proud 2 Play is a partner in the $2.1 million Victorian Government-funded partnership. They will work with more than 40 sports clubs across regional Victoria to ensure they are inclusive and safe for LGBTIQA+ communities, addressing inclusion in sport settings.
• Safe and EqualcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 June 2026Safe and Equal (the peak body for family violence services in Victoria) is the sole mainstream partner in the $2.1 million family violence prevention partnership. They will support staff in LGBTIQA+ organisations to design and lead primary prevention initiatives and activities. Also a longstanding partner in the Pride in Prevention project and co-developed the Pride in Prevention Partnership Guide with Rainbow Health Australia.
• Our WatchcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 April 2024A landmark three-year partnership (until 2027) between Rainbow Health Australia/ARCSHS and Our Watch (national leading organisation for primary prevention of violence against women and their children). The organisations will develop a national framework to prevent gender-based violence against LGBTIQA+ people and communities, building on RHA's Pride in Prevention work and Our Watch's 'Change the story' framework. Funded by the Department of Social Services through the 2nd National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022–2032.
• VACCHO (Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRHA and VACCHO partnered to develop the Rainbow Mob Are My Mob best practice model for Rainbow Mob inclusion in ACCOs, along with a range of resources. The How2 for ACCOs training stream was co-developed specifically for ACCOs and speaks to the ways of working inside ACCOs as well as the needs of Rainbow Mob when accessing their services. VACCHO's involvement ensures cultural appropriateness and community ownership.
• ARCSHS at La Trobe University (host institution)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRainbow Health Australia is located within the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS) at La Trobe University. This provides the organisation with direct access to cutting-edge research, the ability to translate research directly into practice, and institutional support. ARCSHS houses Australia's largest research program focused on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing and has led landmark studies including Private Lives 3 and Writing Themselves In 4.
• Quality Innovation Performance (QIP)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerQIP is one of two independent accrediting bodies that conduct Rainbow Tick assessments for organisations. QIP is a highly experienced provider in community service accreditation and primary and secondary health care accreditation across Australia. QIP and Rainbow Health Australia have collaborated to develop FAQs and adaptations for Rainbow Tick accreditation during COVID-19.
• Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerACHS is one of two independent accrediting bodies that conduct Rainbow Tick assessments for organisations. ACHS is a highly experienced accreditation provider across the health and community services sectors in Australia. Organisations can choose QIP or ACHS for their Rainbow Tick assessment, or bundle Rainbow Tick with existing accreditations they hold through either body.
• Inclusion DesignlabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInclusion Designlab collaborated with Rainbow Health Australia to create 'Our Rainbow Lives', an introduction to LGBTIQA+ identity, experiences, sexuality, gender and bodies for people with intellectual disability and their supporters. This resource was co-created to address a specific inclusion gap for people with intellectual disability.
• Health Equal Youth (HEY) PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRainbow Network is delivered in partnership with the Health Equal Youth (HEY) partnership, funded by the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services. The HEY partnership supports organisations working with young people to provide safe, welcoming and inclusive services for young LGBTIQ+ Victorians.
• Rainbow NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRainbow Network empowers health and human services that work with young people to provide safe, welcoming and inclusive services for young LGBTIQ+ Victorians. It offers training, resources, secondary consultation, forum opportunities, and a Community of Practice. The network was launched with support from Rainbow Health Australia and ARCSHS. Writing Themselves In 4 received support from Rainbow Network.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ACON: Leading Australian LGBTIQ+ health organisation specialising in HIV prevention, mental health, and inclusion across NSW. Comparable in mission (LGBTIQ health and wellbeing), research translation, and delivery of training and community programs targeting health and human services sectors.
• Our Watch: Australia's national leader in primary prevention of violence against women. Comparable as a research- and evidence-led organisation that develops national frameworks (Change the Story) and convenes cross-sector partnerships — directly analogous to Rainbow Health Australia's Pride in Prevention work via their formal 2024 partnership.
• Minus18: Australian organisation championing LGBTIQ+ youth inclusion through events, training, and resources. Comparable as an LGBTIQ-focused training and capability-building provider serving schools, communities, and organisations — overlapping with Rainbow Health Australia's Rainbow Network youth segment.
• Safe and Equal: Victorian peak body for family violence services and the sole mainstream partner in Rainbow Health Australia's Pride in Prevention project. Directly comparable in delivering primary prevention capacity-building, training, and practice resources to family violence and LGBTIQ organisations.
• Zoe Belle Gender Collective: Victoria-based trans and gender diverse advocacy organisation and core partner in Rainbow Health Australia's $2.1M family violence prevention partnership. Comparable as a community-controlled LGBTIQ organisation delivering prevention campaigns, training, and resources alongside Rainbow Health Australia.
• Thorne Harbour Health: Australia's largest LGBTIQ-controlled health organisation and a Rainbow Tick accredited partner. Directly comparable as a LGBTIQ health promotion and service delivery body, and shares overlapping mission, government relationships, and Rainbow Health Australia's training ecosystem.
• LGBTIQ+ Health Australia: National peak body for LGBTIQ+ health organisations in Australia. Closely comparable as a federally-recognised LGBTIQ health advocacy and capacity-building body that convenes member organisations and shapes national policy — overlapping significantly with Rainbow Health Australia's national coordinating role.
• Switchboard Victoria: Victorian LGBTIQ community organisation providing peer support, counselling, and resources. Direct peer within the same Rainbow Tick and Pride in Prevention partnership network, with overlapping delivery of community-facing training and resources for LGBTIQ Victorians.

Broad incumbents

• Stonewall UK: The UK's leading LGBTIQ rights charity operating a comparable (now-discontinued) Diversity Champions accreditation programme and broader training and policy work. Functionally analogous at greater scale — provides a benchmark for how a national LGBTIQ inclusion accreditation and training body can scale.
• The Trevor Project: US-based LGBTIQ youth organisation delivering crisis support, research, and training/accreditation (e.g., ally training). Comparable in operating research-driven training and education programs targeting safer, more inclusive services for LGBTIQ young people — overlapping with Rainbow Network's youth focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rainbow-health-australia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

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 Rainbow Health Australia