Community-led health innovation · Rural Australia
Bringing people together to improve rural health.
We help rural and remote communities access the care, support and opportunities they need to live healthy, fulfilling lives.
Who we are
Communities are not simply recipients of health services — they are active partners in designing, delivering and improving them.
Why it matters
The rural health gap is real — and closable
- 2.5×
- more likely to die from potentially avoidable causes in remote areas
- ~2×
- the suicide rate in remote areas compared with major cities
- 6
- local health & community partners we already work alongside
- 100%
- community-led — solutions designed with communities, not for them
Sources: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare; Big Sky Health charitable purpose statement.
Our flagship initiative
Balonne Rural Health Living Lab
A place-based approach that brings community members, clinicians, service providers, researchers and decision-makers together to understand local challenges and co-design practical solutions — from primary-care access to workforce, prevention and service navigation.
Discover the Living LabOur work
What we're focused on right now
Health workforce support
Rural clinical placements, training partnerships and attraction-and-retention strategies built for remote settings.
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Community-led research
Local advisory groups and needs assessments so services address what communities actually need.
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Prevention & wellbeing
Chronic-disease prevention, mental-health and social-connection programs across the Balonne.
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“Our work is about connecting the dots, strengthening what's already working, and activating community leadership to build something better.”
Our approach
Five principles guiding everything we do
The Living Lab approach ensures solutions are developed with communities rather than for them.
More about us- 01
Community-Led
Local people help shape priorities and solutions.
- 02
Collaborative
Complex challenges require collective action.
- 03
Evidence-Informed
Guided by data, research and lived experience.
- 04
Place-Based
Solutions reflect local context and community strengths.
- 05
Future-Focused
Sustainable improvements with long-term impact.
Working together
Collaborating across community, health, research & government
Be part of the story
Community members, partners, researchers, volunteers and supporters — there's a place for you in Big Sky Health.