Media Releases
Media Release: LHA welcomes new requirements to strengthen inclusion in health and medical research
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (LHA) welcomes the announcement by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the Health and Medical Research Office at the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing that, from 2026, all NHMRC and Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) grant programs will be required to embed the principles of the Statement on Sex, Gender, Variations of Sex Characteristics and Sexual Orientation in Health and Medical Research.
Media Release: LHA welcomes the launch of the Government’s Bulk Billing Incentive Program
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (LHA) welcomes the launch of the Government’s Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program and expanded eligibility for existing Medicare Benefits Schedule bulk billing incentives which now apply to all Medicare-eligible patients.
Statement in response to recent media regarding data on the lifetime rate of suicide attempt for trans and gender-diverse young people
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (LHA) has noted recent media comments indicating data retrieved from the LHA website and used in a speech by Minister Jacinta Allan, Premier of Victoria was not referenced. An investigation into this matter can confirm that the figure used related to the lifetime rate of suicide attempts, is noted in multiple locations on our website, and all LHA reports are referenced.
Media Release: LHA calls on new government to deliver lasting change for LGBTIQ+ people
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (LHA), the national peak body for LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing, congratulates the re-elected Albanese government on its success in the 2025 federal election.
Media Release: Time to Deliver - Election Commitments Needed for LGBTIQ+ Health and Wellbeing
Ahead of the 3 May federal election, LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (LHA) has launched its policy priorities for the 2025 federal election, calling for concrete commitments and actions to improve the health and wellbeing of LGBTIQ+ people.
Media Release: LGBTIQ+ Health Australia welcomes Budget investment in LGBTIQ+ health and broader healthcare reforms
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (LHA) welcomes the Albanese Government’s commitment to quality, accessible and affordable healthcare in the 2025-2026 budget, including continued funding for QLife, with $0.4 million allocated for 2025–26.
Joint Statement: LGBTIQ+ community groups and health experts cautiously welcome treatment review for trans and gender diverse young people
Medical experts, health bodies and LGBTIQ+ groups have cautiously welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement it will review the treatment guidelines for trans and gender diverse young people.
But they said the process must be led by the experts, remain free of political interference and not block continued care across the country.
Qld decision on gender-affirming care puts lives at risk, research shows
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (LHA) calls for the Queensland Government to immediately reverse its decision to stop the provision of medical gender-affirming care for trans and gender diverse young people.
Experimental LGBTI Population Estimates a Step Forward Ahead of 2026 Census
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today released experimental estimates on LGBTI+ populations in Australia, derived from four recent population-based surveys.
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia welcomes launch and financial investment in the first 10-Year National Action Plan for LGBTIQA+ health and wellbeing
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (LHA), the national peak body for LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing, congratulates the Government on the launch of Australia’s first 10-Year National Action Plan for the Health and Wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ People (Action Plan), and the significant investment of $15.5 million.
Lack of LGBTIQ+ inclusion in the next census will adversely impact health outcomes
The Albanese Government’s decision that it will not include questions counting LGBTIQ+ Australians in the 2026 Census (as reported by Sky News) shows a shameful lack of commitment to addressing the health and wellbeing disparities experienced by LGBTIQ+ people. This will have a lasting negative impact on people’s lives for many years.
Focus Needed on Reducing Harms among LGBTQ+ People Who Use Drugs
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (LHA) has called for urgent action to reduce harms associated with the use of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and other sexuality, gender, and bodily diverse people (LGBTQ+), responding to new data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s (AIHW) National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2022-2023[1].
New study examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on LGBTQ+ people
A new joint study has revealed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on LGBTQ+ people in Australia and their mental health, as well as rates of family and domestic violence and economic situations.
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia calls on candidates to commit to tackling health disparities
With a federal election due to be called, LGBTIQ+ Health Australia is calling on all parties and independent candidates to commit to nine priorities to improve the health and wellbeing of LGBTIQ+ people and communities.
New national survey targets palliative care needs of LGBTIQ+ people
A new online survey asks LGBTIQ+ people and/or health professionals to share their views on palliative care for LGBTIQ+ communities in Australia.
MEDIA STATEMENT: National Suicide and Self-harm Monitoring System website
The National LGBTI Health Alliance welcomes the launch this week of the Department of Health funded website by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), noting that the new system will not be able to monitor everyone.
Media Statement: The National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2019 Key Findings
While there are some signs of improvement for lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people since 2010 there is still work to be done.
Federal Government’s Religious Discrimination Bill Entrenches Discriminative Access Barriers to Healthcare for LGBTI People
The National LGBTI Health Alliance (the Alliance),the national peak health organisation in Australia for organisations and individuals that provide health-related programs, services and research focused on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex people (LGBTI) calls for the immediate removal of the Bill’s provisions relating to conscientious objections for health practitioners as they will act as discriminative barriers to LGBTI people in accessing the health care they need.