VAHPA Unity
Stability
Experience
Integrity
VAHPA Unity
VAHPA Unity
Where we've come from.
Some of our achievements.
Clean Sweep Team Arrives
When the team was elected in 2012, VAHPA was emerging from one of the most significant governance crises in Australian union history. The union faced severe reputational damage, financial uncertainty, declining member confidence and substantial organisational challenges.
Over the next decade, the team successfully rebuilt VAHPA into a strong, democratic, financially secure and highly respected union.
Successfully removing the previous leadership following the governance crisis that engulfed the union.
Holding those responsible for the misuse of union funds to account and assisting investigations and legal proceedings arising from the scandal
Restoring members’ confidence in VAHPA and rebuilding the union’s standing within both the Allied Health workforce and the broader trade union movement
Returning the branch to long-term financial stability and sustainability
Implementing sound financial management policies, rigorous internal controls and prudent budgeting practices
Establishing robust governance structures that significantly improved accountability, oversight and decision-making
Introducing a culture of transparency through regular financial reporting
Preserving VAHPA’s independence and democratic control through numerous organisational and political challenges
The Transformation
The team transformed VAHPA from a small organisation into the most influential Allied Health union in Australia.
Growing membership from 2,800 members in 2012 to nearly 8000 members in 2026
Expanding staffing from 6 employees to 21 employees
Building highly skilled teams across organising, industrial representation, membership services, communications, administration and occupational health and safety
Developing the strongest Allied Health delegate network in Australia.
Expanding representation across more than 50 Allied Health professions.
Strengthening workplace organisation and member engagement throughout Victoria
One of the most significant achievements of the VAHPA team was securing structural reforms that transformed Allied Health careers within the Victorian public health system.
Unifying multiple Allied Health salary schedules into a single Allied Health
Professional classification structure
Protecting and strengthening the Allied Health Chiefs structure within Victorian public health services
Establishing clear and recognised career pathways for Allied Health Professionals
Negotiating the introduction of dedicated career streams for:
Clinical Practice
Management and Leadership
Research
Clinical Education
Improving career progression opportunities across all Allied Health professions
Recognising the importance of education and supervision in developing the future workforce, the VAHPA team secured major investments in clinical education.
Negotiating the creation of 321 additional Clinical Educator positions across Victoria
Cementing Clinical Education as a recognised Allied Health career pathway in the public sector Enterprise Agreement
Improving support for student supervision and workforce development
The VAHPA team successfully advanced the recognition of research as a core component of Allied Health practice.
Negotiating the creation of two dozen dedicated Allied Health Research positions.
Establishing Research as a recognised Allied Health career stream
Creating new opportunities for Allied Health Professionals to pursue research careers within the public health system
Strengthening Allied Health contributions to evidence-based practice and innovation
The VAHPA team played a central role in strengthening Allied Health leadership throughout Victoria’s health system.
Negotiating the establishment of additional Director of Allied Health positions throughout Victorian health services
Securing additional Deputy Director of Allied Health positions
Fighting for Allied Health representation at executive and organisational leadership levels
Improving recognition of Allied Health as a critical component of the Victorian healthcare system
Establishment of the Victorian Centre for Advancement of Allied Health (VCAAH).
Recognising the need for a strong collective Allied Health voice, the VAHPA team successfully negotiated the creation of the Victorian Council of Allied Health.
Negotiating the establishment of VCAAH
Creating a formal statewide forum for Allied Health leadership
Strengthening Allied Health influence in workforce planning and policy development
Enhancing collaboration between Allied Health leaders across Victoria
Supporting the development of a stronger and more coordinated Allied Health sector
The VAHPA team secured significant improvements in the recognition of Allied Health expertise and professional contribution.
Improving classification structures and progression pathways
Improving recognition of advanced practice and specialist roles
Strengthening recognition of senior clinical, leadership and management positions
Improving recognition of professional qualifications, experience and expertise
Supporting the development of modern Allied Health career frameworks
Across multiple Enterprise Agreements across the different health sectors, such as Stand Alone Community Health Centres, Private Disability Providers, Private Radiology Practices, Oral Health Therapies, CASAs, Palliative Care Centres, and more, the team secured significant improvements.
Wages and salary structures
Professional development entitlements
Study leave provisions
Family violence leave
Flexible working arrangements
Occupational health and safety protections
Workload management provisions
Career progression opportunities
Classification structures
Leave entitlements and employment conditions
The VAHPA team significantly strengthened union’s role in workplace health and safety.
Establishing dedicated Occupational Health and Safety organising capacity
Supporting Health and Safety Representatives across Victorian workplaces
Leading successful workplace safety campaigns
Improving protections for Allied Health Professionals exposed to workplace risks
Strengthening workplace consultation and safety systems
The team established VAHPA as the leading voice for Allied Health Professionals in Victoria
Successfully advocating for greater recognition of Allied Health within the Victorian healthcare system
Influencing workforce planning and health policy
Building strong relationships across the trade union movement
Strengthening VAHPA’s reputation with government, employers and professional stakeholders
Raising the profile of Allied Health as an essential part of patient care and health system delivery
Stability
Experience
Integrity
Proven Experience
Proven Experience