Expressions of interest sought for representatives to join the North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN) Community Council.
NWMPHN is seeking individual community members to join its Community Council, a key advisory body that provides the organisation with insight and guidance into the unique needs of the region, and mechanisms for engaging local communities.
The Council’s membership reflects different voices, backgrounds and beliefs, and plays an integral role in directing our work and community participation.
The person we seek must live in one of the 13 local government areas that comprise the NWMPHN region. These are Brimbank, Darebin, Hume, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Melbourne, Melton, Merri-bek, Moonee Valley, Wyndham, Yarra and parts of Macedon Ranges and Moorabool. See this map for more detail.
What is NWMPHN?
There are 31 primary health networks (PHNs) across Australia, which are key partners in implementing the Australian Government’s national health reforms. PHNs focus on commissioning, coordinating and building the capability of primary health care, including general practice, allied and community health.
PHNs are committed to:
- Improving the patient journey through developing integrated and coordinated services.
- Providing support to clinicians and service providers to increase the capacity of general practice and primary care, and improve patient care and population health.
- Identifying the health needs of local areas, and commissioning and supporting the development of locally focused, effective and responsive services.
- Facilitating implementation and successful performance of primary health care initiatives
- Being efficient and accountable with strong governance and effective management.
NWMPHN is one of the largest and most active PHNs in the country. Its catchment covers 3,200 square kilometres, and is home to 1.9 million people who collectively speak more than 200 languages.
It is run by Melbourne Primary Care Network Limited (MPCN), an independent, locally run, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving primary health care.
The role of Community Council
The Community Council currently comprises 11 members, drawn from the region. It provides advice and support to NWMPHN which assists the organisation in two important ways:
1. Shaping a robust and sustainable framework for effective community engagement in NWMPHN’s work. This is particularly important given the commissioning role of NWMPHN.
This includes providing insight and direction to NWMPHN on the service needs of the region, and principles and mechanisms for engaging consumers and carers, local communities, community groups and social care providers.
2. Providing a focal point for regional community engagement and advocacy to support NWMPHN’s objectives and work across the commissioning cycle.
This may include giving advice in relation to:
- population health priorities
- planning service and system improvements
- improving the quality of care
- facilitating effective primary health care provision
- reducing avoidable hospital presentations and admissions
- efficient use of existing health and community resources
- championing integrated and community care pathways
- improving health outcomes and the health care experience.
What’s involved in Community Council membership?
Meetings:
- The Council meets four times per year. Members are required to attend at least 75 per cent of the meetings.
- Currently these meetings are held via teleconference and/or in-person, and are scheduled to take place from 4pm to 6pm (a portion taking place after usual business hours to enable maximum participation).
- Once per year, one of the four meetings may take place as a joint session with the Clinical Council (NWMPHN’s other key advisory body) and the MPCN Board of Directors. This session is held in-person only and will sometimes run longer to incorporate a networking component.
- Members are expected to review materials prior to meetings to ensure they are well prepared to contribute. The Stakeholder Reimbursement Policy (see below) includes reimbursement for preparation time.
Other contributions:
- Between scheduled meetings, ad-hoc items may be shared seeking Council member input, such as to provide advice on emerging issues, review and provide feedback on documents, or to share items within networks. Active participation is appreciated where possible.
- On occasion, members may be invited to participate in voluntary topic-focused workshops or other activities during or outside of business hours.
- An annual review seeks Council members’ views on what works well, what could be done differently, and any other feedback members may wish to provide anonymously. Providing feedback is voluntary – however, as it helps inform future ways of working, contributions are strongly encouraged.
Membership:
- Members are recruited for a two-year term, with the opportunity to extend for a second two-year term.
- NWMPHN is committed to ensuring that the Community Council includes representatives with a diverse mix of skills and expertise. On joining, all members must complete NWMPHN’s Council Capability and Diversity Matrix which guides future membership planning and recruitment.
Essential personal attributes of Community Council members
The person NWMPHN seeks must be:
- Committed to the purpose for which NWMPHN was established and operates, and to its ongoing success
- An effective listener and communicatorable to hear and respectfully consider varying viewpoints, and develop clear arguments in response;
- Able to ask questions in a constructive and appropriate way.
- An active contributor, bringing information and ideas to meetings and items shared in between them, making a genuine and significant contribution to NWMPHN.
Reimbursement for time
- All members are eligible to be reimbursed for their attendance and preparation time in accordance with the NWMPHN Stakeholder Reimbursement Policy (.pdf).
- If members are otherwise salaried or remunerated for their time on the Council by other organisations, then no further remuneration from NWMPHN shall apply. Prospective members are required to declare this when responding to the EOI.
How to submit your expression of interest
If you are interested in joining the Community Council, please complete this online application form by 5pm AEST on Friday, 31 July 2026.
Questions
Please contact councils@nwmphn.org.au or call Bianca Bell or Naomi Baldwin on 03 9347 1188.
