WA Centre for Rural Health

In June 1998, all 5 Western Australian
Universities formed a consortium
to help establish the Western
Australian Centre for Rural
Health (at the time known
as CUCRH) in Geraldton.
The consortium entered
into an agreement with the
Commonwealth Department
of Health and Ageing to
establish and operate the Centre.
The Commonwealth has identified that the
principal objective of WACRH (as for all
UDRHs) is to improve access for rural and
remote communities to appropriate services
through the promotion of professional support,
education and training for rural and remote
health workers and support city-based health
professionals interested in furthering their
training and practising their clinical skills in a
rural or remote setting.
A public health philosophy, partnerships,
and strong links with government and health
organisations underpin the operation of
WACRH.

WACRH works in partnership with
The University of Western Australia
(UWA). UWA’s corporate guidelines
and organisational standards are
translated through WACRH’s
administrative processes and
policies.
We adhere to UWA’s financial
governance but remain
independent in sourcing
funding and establishing new
collaborations to progress health
opportunities for regional Western
Australia.

Our professional support activities, research areas and undergraduate education initiatives are spearheaded
by more than 40 highly-committed staff based in Geraldton, Mt Magnet and Perth. Our staff
pool consists of award-winning and early-career researchers, educators and dedicated administrative
staff.
Both our research and education objectives coincide to ‘grow our own’ base of health professionals by
encouraging young people in rural areas to consider health careers.
We also aim to provide strong support networks and continuing professional development opportunities
for rural health professionals, improve delivery of primary health care for our communities’ and address
disparities in health for Aboriginal people living in our regions.