We transform healthcare challenges into opportunities for rural communities. Our collaborative approach and focus on research bridges gaps and creates sustainable health solutions across Australia.
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Founding partner
Empowering communities to thrive through equitable health and wellbeing
Communities, the health sector, Governments, industry, corporates, philanthropists, research partners, peak bodies and innovation partners
We create systems change across the lifespan with a focus on childhood development, living well in community and ageing well
Thriving rural communities through increased access and improved health outcomes
We are working with partners who share our vision of building a legacy for rural Australia through investment and design of credible health solutions
We are creating the rural health workforce of the future equipped to deliver innovative, evidence-based solutions
We are translating research into practice and scaling proven solutions to build sustainable change
We are working with researchers to track outcomes and mobilise learnings to drive improvement, investment and advocacy
mhi hub is operated by Marathon Health, a registered charity, not-for-profit organisation with Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status. Every donation is 100% tax deductible.
We were established in 2015 to address gaps in access to community-based health and wellbeing services for people living in regional, rural and remote Australia.
We have grown to become one of the largest not-for-profit employers of allied health professionals in regional NSW, contributing more than $25 million into the regional economy.
22,073 clients annually
27% First Nations
90+ LGAs reached nationwide
70% services delivered face-to-face
The Hub was established with Westfund as the founding partner - providing early funding and support to establish and sustain the hub's mission and improve the health outcomes of regional Australians.
Westfund Health is a not-for-profit organisation with a 140-year history looking after regional Australia.
We aim to create systems change that achieves equity in access to healthcare services and health outcomes through partnerships, innovative service delivery, workforce development, technology, research and evaluation. We offer researchers a unique platform to design, test, and deliver health solutions that matter – based on need and aimed at promoting equity in healthcare.
Over the last 3 years, we have delivered over $1.2m worth of research. Over the last 5 years we have authored or co-authored 12 journal articles with a further 7 in the pipeline. We are currently participating in $9.4m of research activity in projects such as the Headspace Outreach Project and Equally Well Mind & Body Care Navigators.
mhi hub is built on a firm foundation of evidence-based innovation, human-centred design and strategic collaboration. Below are some examples of projects designed and tested with community, and investment ready for impact.
Our holistic early intervention Flying Start model provides children in rural Australia much needed face-to-face access to Paediatricians, allied health and care coordination – without having to travel long distances.
An investment of $350,000 per year provides a rural community the support kids need close to home.
Our targeted mental health workforce development initiative attracts provisional psychologists to live and work in regional Australia and supports them to become Registered Psychologists.
An investment of $45,000 supports us to bring a psychologist to regional Australia to live and work.
Our chronic disease outreach model places our multidisciplinary team (diabetes educators, dietitians, pharmacists and care coordinators) in General Practices and Aboriginal Medical Services to increase access to care in rural communities. Our face-to-face model is focused on delivering integrated patient-centred care and capacity building of practice staff.
Team-based care models are designed to meet the needs of practices.
We bring together communities, Government, the health sector, industry, charities, universities and innovation partners to solve health challenges for rural Australia. Together, we are reimagining rural health by turning good solutions into better care, delivered where it is needed most.
While our partners support the mission, research integrity and publication remain independent.
For more than 10 years, Marathon Health has been the go-to for health system solutions. Below are some examples of our work. They are solutions designed and delivered with ruralcommunities, and sustained through our trusted networks.
The headspace Outreach Project provides free, culturally-safe mental health and wellbeing support for young people aged 12-25 across Western NSW.
We worked in partnership with communities to build the workforce, codesign the service model and establish delivery. The service is now providing vital supports to young people in 10 Western NSW communities.
Our Flying Start Paediatric Program provides free access to paediatricians for children living in rural and remote communities – providing equity in access to vital supports for families, closer to home.


Designed in partnership with Variety – The Children’s Charity (NSW/ACT) and community, this is a great example of a face-to-face, community-based model that enhances access to clinical services for rural families.
Our Aboriginal Workforce Development Initiative has supported 29 First Nations people gain a health qualification while earning a living wage in their community.
Learners complete a Certificate III or IV qualification in a priority skills area over twelve months while employed by a local host employer to gain relevant work experience.
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