The Federal Government has announced that it will be establishing the Commonwealth’s first Chief Allied Health Officer to support the sector.

“Allied health professionals make up about 20 per cent of the health workforce in Australia, providing vital services to patients and the establishment of a Chief Allied Health Officer will further strengthen and support their work,” Federal Health Minister Tanya Plibersek said.

“They play a key role in patient care, especially for people with chronic and complex conditions, and the services that they provide are becoming increasingly important with an ageing population.

The establishment of the Chief Allied Health Officer forms part of the Government’s response to the Senate Community Affairs References Committee, following its inquiry into the factors affecting the supply of health services and medical professionals in rural areas.
The committee found that allied health professionals face additional challenges in delivering services to regional, rural and remote Australia.