Healthy Places Healthy Futures creates environments for children and young people in Victoria to thrive

Date: 2 July 2026

The refreshed Healthy Places Healthy Futures initiative launched today supports more than 2,500 Victorian schools and services to create environments that promote health, learning and lifelong wellbeing — where good health is part of everyday life for all Victorian children and young people.

The initiative, formerly known as the Achievement Program makes it easier for schools and early childhood services to take action on what matters most for children’s health and wellbeing, including nutrition, physical activity, mental wellbeing, smoking and vaping prevention, sun protection, and sustainability.

More than half (54%) of registered member schools and services are located in the most disadvantaged areas of the Victoria, helping ensure that all children and young people can benefit.

The initiative brings current and future health and wellbeing activity together under one practical framework along with curated resources, professional learning opportunities and support from more than 200 health promotion practitioners across the state.

Overport Primary School in Frankston uses Healthy Places to unify its approach to student health and wellbeing. The ~700 student school, is a longstanding Healthy Places member, with local support from the health promotion team at Bayside Health – Peninsula Care Group.

Assistant Principal Jill Wathen led the school’s adoption of the Healthy Places Framework.

“As part of Healthy Places, we’ve made meaningful changes across our school – from strengthening key policies, to empowering students to lead real change. What’s made the biggest difference is having the clear Healthy Places Framework that brings our leadership team, students and community together, so we take a consistent, whole-school approach to health and wellbeing,” Mrs Wathen said.

“Healthy Places recognises the work we already have in place. It's helped to align our leadership team, our students and our community to make sure we're all on the same page and working towards the same goal, which is to promote health and wellbeing across our school,” she added.

Overport Primary School’s Student Health Ambassador program is a shining example and has empowered students to take an active role in promoting wellbeing.

Cancer Council Victoria CEO, Todd Harper AM acknowledged the Victorian Government’s continued commitment to prevention and supporting children’s health and wellbeing through Healthy Places.

“Schools and early childhood services are among the most powerful places to shape lifelong health. Healthy environments support children’s wellbeing today and help prevent chronic disease, including cancer, later in life,” Mr Harper said.

Head of Healthy Places, Dimity Gannon said the initiative supports a growing network of schools and early childhood services across Victoria.

“Healthy Places is supporting health, wellbeing and learning in both regional and metropolitan schools and services, reaching over 550,000 children and young people across almost every Victorian local government area,” Ms Gannon said.

To become a Healthy Places school or service visit www.healthyplaces.health.vic.gov.au.