16 March 2022

Australia’s first LGBTIQ+ health centre in Sydney is part of the NSW Government’s landmark $12 million investment to improve health outcomes for this community.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard, together with Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich, today launched the NSW LGBTIQ+ Health Strategy at St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney.

“Hundreds of people within the LGBTIQ+ community contributed to this breakthrough health strategy which aims to address longstanding inequities,” Mr Hazzard said.

“The ACON-run LGBTIQ+ Health Centre will offer people a wide range of services, such as expert sexual and mental health care that is safe, inclusive and specific to community needs.”

Mr Greenwich said LGBTIQ+ people experience more stigma, discrimination, suicidal ideation and social isolation in comparison to the broader community.

“Members of the LGBTIQ+ community have distinct health and service access needs, which is why I am proud to endorse this ground-breaking centre and strategy. This is a significant investment in the health and wellbeing of LGBTIQ+ people across NSW and I thank NSW Health for working so diligently.”

The $12 million strategy will set the direction for services to 2027 and includes:

  • $4.2m to ACON to establish a new LGBTIQ+ health centre to deliver primary care and GP, mental health, sexual health and cancer screening services
  • $3.4m annually for NSW Health’s Specialist Trans and Gender Diverse Health Service to support trans youth and adults
  • $2.65m to support NSW Health workforce education and training, and to kickstart local initiatives delivered jointly with LGBTIQ+ organisations
  • $1.78m to ACON and Twenty10 for mental health and suicide prevention initiatives.

ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill AM said the strategy is an historic milestone in advancing the health of LGBTIQ+ communities.

“We commend the NSW Government for its leadership and we are particularly grateful of its support in establishing the Health Centre, which will create vital infrastructure to improve health outcomes in our communities.”

LGBTIQ+ launch event