SARRAH is nationally recognised as the peak body representing rural and remote allied health professionals (AHPs) working in the public, private and community sectors. SARRAH exists to support equitable and sustainable health and well-being across regional, rural and remote Australia.
SARRAH develops and provides services for AHPs to carry out their professional duties confidently and competently in providing clinical and health education services to people living in rural and remote Australia.
SARRAH’s representation comes from a wide range of tertiary qualified allied health professions who apply their skills in preventing, diagnosing and treating diseases, health conditions, illnesses and injuries.
Allied health professionals are critical to patient centred and enabling health care, in the management of clients’ health needs including chronic disease and complex care needs.
SARRAH maintains that every Australian should have access to equitable health services wherever they live, and that allied health services are fundamental to the well-being of all Australians.
- Creates and facilitates important networks for rural and remote allied health professionals across the countrySARRAH has always been about networking, bringing people together with common cause to try to improve health services for rural and remote Australians.
- Represents the interests of rural and remote communities and allied health professionalsSARRAH has an effective seat at the table so, as rural and remote AHPs, we are no longer ‘out of sight, out of mind.
- Nurtures the development of rural and remote allied health leadershipSARRAH provides opportunities for its members to engage actively at the political level, and to advocate for a better deal for rural and remote Australians
- Provides important forums for rural and remote Allied health practitioners, including the biennial conferences and summitsThe SARRAH conferences have been pivotal in bringing people together to share information, debrief, and empower one another to take opportunities to step into leadership roles.
- Promotes and implements rural and remote workforce development strategiesSince 2010 SARRAH has implemented several workforce development programs funded by the Australian Government.
- The allied health component of the Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship and Support Scheme (2010 - 2021)
- The Allied Health Rural Generalist Educaiton and Training Scheme (2021 - 2025)
- Building the Rural and Remote Allied Health Assistant Workforce (2021 - 2025)
- Produced useful resources for rural and remote allied health professionalsSARRAH's online learning program includes Rural and Remote Practice Foundations for AHPs new to rural and/or remote health care roles.
- Supports innovative allied health projects in the fieldTwo projects cited as being recipients of pivotal support from SARRAH have been the Indigenous Diabetic Foot project and the North-west Queensland Allied Health project.