About us

The Latrobe Health Services Foundation

The Latrobe Health Services Foundation, launched in 2025, is a $10 million foundation funding health programs in rural and regional Australia. It is one of the largest of its kind in the Australian health insurance industry. We back local projects that improve health literacy, access, equity and affordability, for members and non-members alike.

The foundation’s funding goes two ways: the Latrobe Health Small Grants Program, and strategic partnerships with organisations working on rural and regional health.

The Latrobe Health Services Foundation makes health happen.

What does the foundation fund?

The Latrobe Health Services Foundation funds work across four health pillars in regional, rural or remote areas. A project needs to make a real difference to at least one of them (one is enough).

A volunteer helping two people use a free health check station at a community event — Literacy of health careUnderstanding health information and services to make informed decisions about your health.

A mobile health van parked in outback scrubland at sunset — Accessibility of health careEnsuring everyone can easily reach and use health services when needed.

Two young women looking closely at a health check screen — Equity of health careProviding fair and just health services to all, regardless of background or circumstances.

A woman having a free health check at a pink Legacy Health Check station — Affordability of health careMaking sure health services are financially manageable for everyone.

How is the foundation improving mental health in rural Australia?

The Latrobe Health Services Foundation has a strategic partnership with Phoenix Australia, the National Centre of Excellence in Posttraumatic Mental Health. Together we’re developing and testing an innovative mobile phone app, called SOLAR-R, to help people in rural and regional communities manage stress and navigate challenging life circumstances.

In many rural and regional areas, mental health support is hard to reach. The app is being built to help close that gap, and to show what digital tools can do for health outcomes in places where services are limited.

The SOLAR-R app is evidence-based and has been built with people from rural and regional communities and reflects the communities that actually need it. It provides practical tools you can use privately, flexibly and at your own pace.

Over the next couple of years, Phoenix Australia will run a randomised controlled trial to test two versions of the app to see which is more effective for people in rural and regional areas.

Can my organisation apply for a grant?

Yes. The Latrobe Health Services Small Grants Program funds community health initiatives across rural and regional Australia, and applications open multiple times a year.

Grants go to registered charities and not-for-profit community groups whose work impacts at least one of the four health pillars. Eligibility criteria, the grant guidelines and the current closing date are all on the Latrobe Health Small Grants Program page.

Why does a health insurer fund community health?

Latrobe Health Services is a not-for-profit, member-owned health insurer. Profits are reinvested in members and community programs, not paid to shareholders.

As a regionally based health insurer, Latrobe Health Services sees the gap in rural and regional health every day, and The Latrobe Health Services Foundation is how we contribute to closing it.

Here are some of the great organisations we’ve supported through the foundation.

Who can I talk to about the foundation?

Email us at foundation@lhs.com.au and we’ll get back to you within 10 business days.

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