Originally established in 1992, the Rural Health Education Foundation is an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to delivering free health education to healthcare teams in remote and rural Australia and their communities. One-third of the population resides in regional, remote and rural areas yet people living in these areas generally have poorer health.
Our innovative and interactive health education helps remote and rural healthcare practitioners keep their skills up to date without having to leave their families, their clients and the communities who rely on them. Over the past 20 years the Foundation has provided free educational programs, reaching more than 50,000 health professionals.
The Foundation collaborates with health professionals, often leaders in their respective fields, to deliver more than 20 programs each year. These programs reflect key national health priorities and are professionally accredited or endorsed. Increasingly we have also been providing high-quality community educational resources. We pay particular attention to the health, medical and education needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
As a non-profit organisation, all donations greater than $2 are tax deductible. Click here for details on how to support our work.
View a short video about the Foundation
Health Education via Satellite TV, online and available on DVD
The Rural Health Education Foundation broadcasts health education on the Rural Health Channel – a free-to-air digital satellite TV channel. Foundation produced programs are also available to purchase on DVD or free to view and listen online through the www.rhef.com.au website.
The Rural Health Channel is available on the Viewer Access Satellite Television service. The Foundation operates a network of more than 670 satellite receiving sites throughout rural and remote Australia. These sites all have access to VAST and the Rural Health Channel.
The Rural Health Channel was officially launched in June 2012. Read more...
Board of Directors and Strategic Plan
As a non-profit organisation, the Rural Health Education Foundation is governed by a six-person Board of Directors, all of whom serve in a voluntary capacity.
The Board of the Rural Health Education Foundation has endorsed and updated the Foundation’s revised Strategic Plan for the period 2010-2014.
Our Patron – Mr Tom Calma
Dr Tom Calma AO holds the position as inaugural National Coordinator for Tackling Indigenous Smoking. He was previously the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner at the Human Rights Commission until January 2010. DR Calma was appointed Patron of the Rural Health Education Foundation in April 2010.
Support the Rural Health Education Foundation
The Rural Health Education Foundation is an eligible tax deductible organisation (deductible gift recipient, or DGR). Any gifts you make for the amount of $2 or more are tax deductible. You can support the work of the Foundation through your direct gift. See How to Support Us section.