About information partnership

Healthdirect Australia works with a select group of leading Australian health organisations which provide trusted content that can be accessed through our range of online services. An information partnership reflects a shared vision to provide relevant and reliable health and related information to Australian consumers.

Information Partners are assessed for the clinical quality and governance processes of their online resources. They include organisations such as peak bodies, government agencies, research institutes, educational institutes and not-for-profit organisations.

We share partner content via the healthdirect website and mobile app and the Pregnancy, Birth and Baby website. They also support the healthdirect helpline nurses (1800 022 222) known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria.

The types of resources that can be accessed include:

• fact sheets and articles
• videos
• apps, tools and widgets
• online programs
• social media
• information about offline services such as support groups

Organisations seeking information partnership must:

• align with Healthdirect Australia’s goal of improving access to health information and services for all Australians
• provide consumer health information and advice designed for the general public
• offer subject matter expertise and specialised content
• provide relevant and reliable health information online
• produce balanced, unbiased content created and/or reviewed by subject area experts in Australia
• cite reliable sources for all published health information

Information partnership is not appropriate for:

• organisations whose information sits behind a portal or pay wall
• organisations based outside of Australia
• organisations whose primary function is to sell content or education programs to consumers
• organisations whose primary function is to generate income through product or service sales
• organisations that provide services but do not have online health information that meets the above criteria
• media, marketing, communications and PR agencies

Millions of people in Australia search for online health information every day. A majority of these searches refer people to sources from other countries, with no guarantee the information is relevant or appropriate to the Australian healthcare system.

Our online services operate as gateways to information on our Information Partners’ websites. Through our partnerships, we’re able to share specialist content to collectively reach more Australian consumers and provide people with the trusted information and advice they are looking for.

For partner organisations, the benefits include:

• recognition as a trusted source by a government website
• exposure of brand, content and services
• enhanced site authority through deep linking from the healthdirect.gov.au domain
• networking and information sharing with Healthdirect Australia and other Information Partners
• access to tools, specialist advice and shared promotional opportunities that can enhance the value of your website
• access to a national community of other information partners who share the common goal of improving health outcomes

• Information partnerships are formed in accordance with our strategic plan and priorities.
• Information Partners must meet the Healthdirect Australia publishing standards.
• Prospective Information Partners are subject to a formal assessment.
• Being found to meet the criteria in the assessment will not guarantee an organisation will be invited to become an Information Partner.
• Healthdirect Australia may, at its discretion, exclude organisations from an information partnership without necessarily having to explain why.

The only cost involved in information partnership is the time taken to go through the assessment process and in keeping digital content up to date. Information Partners will be asked to:

• identify online resources that are suitable for access through Healthdirect Australia’s online services and helplines
• ensure accuracy and currency of information through approved clinical and editorial governance processes
• apply relevant metadata to online resources for effective data sharing
• notify partner managers when new resources or URLs are added or deleted
• where possible, create reciprocal links to one or more of Healthdirect Australia’s online services (whether via a logo or contextual link)

Complete the Become an Information Partner form. Our Information Partner team will review your application and contact you with further instructions.