Better Partnerships, Better Health: What a New Report Means for Engagement Practitioners

A new report from the Centre for Policy Development (CPD) is calling for stronger partnerships between local, state and federal governments to improve health and wellbeing outcomes across Australia. While the report focuses on public policy, it also offers valuable insights for engagement professionals working across the health sector.

Better Together: Fostering Local-State Partnerships for Healthier Communities argues that local councils are increasingly delivering services well beyond their traditional responsibilities, often becoming the first point of contact for communities seeking support. At the same time, councils are facing growing expectations with limited resources, making collaboration across all levels of government more important than ever.

For engagement practitioners, one message stands out: strong partnerships begin with meaningful engagement.

The report identifies four ingredients for successful collaboration:

• Establish clear, formal partnerships.
• Design for long-term sustainability.
• Invest in capability building.
• Centre local knowledge and expertise in decision-making.

These principles closely align with good engagement practice. Building trusted relationships, involving communities early, and recognising local knowledge are all essential to designing health initiatives that are responsive, equitable and sustainable.

The report also highlights successful examples from South Australia, where Preventive Health SA’s Wellbeing Hubs and Regional Preventive Health Partnerships bring together state government, local councils and communities to co-design initiatives that improve physical, mental and social wellbeing. Activities range from multicultural sporting events and youth connection programs to nutrition education and mental health support, demonstrating the value of locally led, place-based approaches.

As health systems continue to address increasingly complex challenges, engagement professionals have an important role to play in strengthening collaboration between governments, service providers and communities. Effective engagement doesn’t just inform decisions—it helps build the partnerships that make healthier communities possible.

Further Reading

Centre for Policy Development – Better Together: Fostering Local-State Partnerships for Healthier Communities

Centre for Policy Development – Better Together (Report PDF)