In 2019, responsibility for population-level surveillance of non-communicable diseases and their determinants in Victoria moved to VAHI from the Department of Health and Human Services. With the move, VAHI assumed responsibility for the Victorian Population Health Survey (VPHS) and other surveillance reports.
Population health surveillance is the ongoing systematic collection, assembly, analysis, and interpretation of population health data, and the communication of the information derived from these data. Information collected about the health status of the Victorian population is used to inform policy development and assist planning efforts to improve health services. This population-level information will allow VAHI to provide a fuller picture of Victoria’s health.
VAHI collects population health data through large-scale population surveys. Health surveys are important tools to identify, capture and manage a growing evidence base for health. Measuring the health of the Victorian population helps build the evidence on how the work of health services, the Department and the health system as whole, impacts the lives of Victorians.
Victorian Population Health Survey
The Department of Health runs the Victorian Population Health Survey (VPHS) every year, as required by the Victorian Public Health and Wellbeing Act (2008). It’s the main source of information on the health and wellbeing of adults in Victoria, including the factors that influence their health.
The survey collects information on:
• Overall health and chronic conditions
• Mental health and wellbeing (e.g. psychological distress, depression, anxiety, life satisfaction)
• Lifestyle risk factors like smoking, vaping, alcohol use, and physical activity
• Other health risks such as food insecurity, racism and discrimination, and loneliness
• Social determinants of health, including income, employment, social inclusion, and trust in others
• Protective factors like emotional and social support
• Use of healthcare services and trust in Victoria’s health system
The information is used to:
• Support evidence-based policy and planning by the Department of Health
• Guide local councils in developing their Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plans
• Contribute to the Chief Health Officer’s report, which is published every two years and shared with the public
• Identify vulnerable communities and locations to better target health services and resources
• Track health trends and detect new or emerging health issues over time
Latest releases
The Victorian population health survey 2023 dashboard is now available.
Bendigo Health have created a video on How to use the 2023 VPHS Dashboard - LMPHU, available on YouTube.
The VPHS 2025
TKW Research – an independent agency working on behalf of the Department of Health – will begin calling adults across Victoria to take part in the 2025 survey. The survey is done over the phone.
Taking part is completely voluntary, and your privacy is protected by law under the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014. The survey's questions and methods have been approved by the Department of Health’s Human Research Ethics Committee.
To learn more about TKW Research, visit: https://tkwresearch.com.au
For questions about the survey, call the Department of Health on 1800 658 830 More information about the VPHS prior to 2017 is available here.
Previous VPHS reports and dashboards
The Victorian population health survey 2022 dashboard is now available.
The Victorian population health survey 2020 dashboard is now available.
The Victorian population health survey 2019 summary of findings and dashboard is now available.
The Victorian population health survey 2018 summary of findings and dashboard is now available.
More information about the VPHS prior to 2017 is available here.
Popular resources
- Family violence in Victoria: findings from the Victorian Population Health Survey 2017
- The health and wellbeing of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer population in Victoria - Findings from the Victorian Population Health Survey 2017
- Health system performance: how does Victoria fare nationally and internationally
- Challenges to healthy eating: food insecurity in Victoria
- The health and wellbeing of Aboriginal Victorians: findings from the Victorian Population Health Survey 2017
- End of life and palliative care: a community perspective
- Healthcare in Victoria: How do older Victorians fare?
Information for you
Victorian Population Health Survey
The Victorian Population Health Survey (VPHS) program was established in 1998 and collects information about the health, lifestyle and wellbeing of adult Victorians aged 18 years and over. The information is reported at state, regional and local government area levels to inform planning and policy development.