Governance Structure
The Australian Health Promotion Association (AHPA) is governed by a Board at the national level with operational branches representing all states and territories.
The Board Directors nominate and are accepted at the Association’s Annual General Meeting. They assume responsibility for the governance and strategic direction of the Association ensuring that it is meeting its Constitutional requirements.
View the current AHPA Board of Directors.
As a Company Limited by Guarantee AHPA is required to comply with the requirements of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) as well as those of the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC). The trademark “AHPA®” was registered in Australia by the Australian Health Promotion Association in 2009 (1314173; Class 35- Association services being the promotion of the interests of members of the association).
View AHPA's Constitution and By-Laws of Constitution.
AHPA's six branches include: New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria/Tasmania and Western Australia.
Branches provide professional development opportunities to members, including workshops and training courses on a wide range of topics. Some branches also provide scholarships, mentoring programs as well as regular communication to their members including health promotion events and job opportunities.
Visit Branches.
Committees and Groups
AHPA has a range of Standing Committees, working groups and practice groups that oversee and deliver areas of work as per the Association's strategic plan and priorities.
View the current Committee and Groups.
Executive Officer
AHPA's Executive Officer leads and oversees Association activities including the Commonwealth Government Health Peak Advisory Body contract.
Rebecca Zosel has been the AHPA Executive Officer since May 2021 and currently works two days per week.
Secretariat
The AHPA Secretariat responds to membership and general queries and supports the day-to-day operations of the Association. The Secretariat function is delivered by Not For Profit Accounting Specialists.
Members
Our member driven national Association represents over 1,000 members and subscribers.
Membership of the Association is diverse, and includes designated health promotion practitioners, researchers and students, as well as others involved in promoting physical, mental, social, cultural and environmental health, whose primary profession or area of study may be something different, but whose responsibilities include promoting health. Members represent a broad range of sectors including health, education, welfare, environment, transport, law enforcement, town planning, housing and politics. They are drawn from government departments and agencies, universities, non-government organisations, community-based organisations and groups, private companies, and students.
History of AHPA
The Association has its origins in the ANZAAS Congress held in Perth in 1983. The planning committee for the Health Education Section of the Congress recognised the need for an organisation that could unify the growing number of people involved in health promotion and health education throughout Western Australia and promote liaison between them. This resulted in the formation of the Western Australian Professional Health Educators' Association (WAPHEA) in 1985.
In response to interest shown in the organisation from health promotion professionals throughout Australia, WAPHEA changed its name, and in 1990 was nationally constituted as the Australian Association of Health Promotion Professionals. Western Australia was the first Branch and was formed in 1992. There are now Branches representing all states and territories.
In May 1999 members voted to change the name of the Association to the Australian Health Promotion Association thereby reflecting the more inclusive and broader approach to its work. A new mission statement, objectives, and a new membership structure were developed to reflect the change in direction.
Today the Australian Health Promotion Association continues to evolve to be a contemporary professional body representing the health promotion profession and its members Australia wide. It upholds the highest of governance standards and collaborates at a National and State and Territory level to provide strategic and operational leadership for health promotion in Australia. In 2022 AHPA received Commonwealth Government funding under the Health Peak Advisory Body Program and is proud to be the peak body for health promotion in Australia.