About APHA > Brief History of the APHA

A Brief History of the APHA

The Australian Private Hospitals Association (APHA) was formed in June 1981 as the peak national body representing private hospital interests in Australia.

Prior to it inception, six separate State Private Hospitals Associations - each autonomous bodies - met infrequently to discuss issues of national importance, but without any cohesive national focus.

Between 1981 and 1986, the Association provided a forum for national action when the need arose, but had no employed staff and no office facilities. During that period the Association proved effective in representing the industry, but with little attention being paid to the Association by outside agencies.

Following the recommendation of an all-State Task Force in 1985, to enhance its national presence, the APHA established a National Office in Canberra in August 1986. The staff consisted of the Executive Director, and a secretary, with operations initially accommodated in the Executive Director's home.

In November 1987, 87 square metres of rented office space were secured. Over the next two years the workload of the Association increased exponentially resulting in a rapid need for larger accommodation. The Association was incorporated in 1987.

The APHA Board made the decision to build its own offices, and following a joint venture with a Canberra-based developer, the Association moved into its own 500 square metre National Headquarters in March 1990.

In 1993 APHA won the prestigious Association Management Institute Award for the Best Non-Profit Organisation in Australia.

The APHA has unified the private hospital sector and, with strong leadership and loyal, highly competent staff, has transformed a loose knit group of State organisations into a respected, influential and high profile peak federal body.

APHA is recognised by politicians, the media and other health organisations as 'the' premier private health Association.

In October 1995 the APHA's Articles of Association where amended to make APHA a much more representative body, with hospitals and groups of hospitals becoming direct members of the Association - rather than the States.

Accordingly, the APHA was restructured in 1996 presenting a unique opportunity for hospitals to have direct input into APHA policy development. Previously, with only the State Associations being members of the APHA, hospitals had only a vicarious link with the national body.

Following a change of membership in the late 90s the Association's Secretariat underwent a structural reorganisation.

What emerged was a sharper focus on being 'the' leading national voice for lobbying and advocacy, as well as in driving improvements in private health care.

Following this review, the Association has thrived.

And due to the Association's significant achievements membership is now at an historically high level, with the APHA representing 75% of the private hospital sector. At no other stage in its history has APHA been more active or more committed in representing private hospitals.

Now more than ever, it is essential private hospitals continue to speak with one voice. While the achievements of the APHA have been substantial, the challenges ahead for the private health sector are great and the political landscape is ever-changing.

It is our profound desire to see the Association's ability to lobby, advocate, liaise and effectively lead private hospitals further bolstered, taking critical issues and concerns to key decision-makers.