Help patients turn clinical advice into outcomes
by Guest Author,
- March 19, 2026
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Content provided by Better Health Co. For more information about their services, and to see if they’re active in your state visit https://betterhealthcoaching.com.au/
Commissioned by the Western Australian Department of Health, the Better Health Coaching Service is a free, telephone-based health coaching service designed to support adults in Western Australia to prevent or better manage chronic health conditions. Through personalised, evidence-based health coaching, the service provides guided sustainable lifestyle change support that is best placed to address behavioural risk factors commonly associated with chronic disease and complement primary health care.
Participants receive up to 10 FREE individual health coaching sessions, approximately 30 minutes each, delivered via telephone to use within a 6-month period. Appointments are scheduled on patient preference or clinical need.
Coaching is provided by qualified health professionals with backgrounds in dietetics, exercise physiology and health psychology, and trained in behaviour change, motivational interviewing, and chronic disease prevention.
Developed and delivered by the Better Health Company, the service is available statewide and is intended to reduce barriers to care for patients who may benefit from additional support beyond a consultation with their primary care provider.
Service overview
- Healthier food choices and nutrition habits
- Increasing physical activity
- Stress management and mental wellbeing
- Improving sleep quality
- Reducing alcohol consumption
- Smoking cessation
- Building social connection and routine
- Self-management of chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and related comorbidities
Who is the service for?
The service is appropriate for adults who:
- Are 18 years or older
- Are living in Western Australia
- Are seeking support to prevent or manage chronic health conditions
- Would benefit from structured lifestyle behaviour change support
- May face barriers to in-person programs (e.g. time, transport, rural location, mobility, confidence or language)
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The service is designed to be inclusive and accessible for all participants. Support options include:
- Free interpreting services
- Access to the National Relay Service
- A team of Aboriginal‑identified health coaches to support First Nations participants
The service supports people who are at risk of developing a chronic condition, have recently been diagnosed, or are living with a long-term health condition and require support to make healthy lifestyle changes.
Chronic health conditions include, but are not limited to:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Hypertension
- High cholesterol
- Obesity
- Stroke
- Musculoskeletal conditions
- Cancer
- Respiratory conditions
- Mental health conditions
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
This service is particularly beneficial for patients who benefit from regular accountability, goal setting, and problem-solving support.
What patients can expect
Patients enrolled in the Better Health Coaching Service can expect a person-centered, collaborative approach focused on achievable and meaningful change.
Key components include:
- Individualised goal setting aligned with patient priorities and readiness to change
- Problem-solving strategies to address barriers such as time constraints, motivation, stress or confidence
- Support to build sustainable habits, rather than short-term behaviour change
- Access to practical resources, including factsheets, tools and healthy recipes
- Ongoing encouragement, reflection and accountability over the 6-month period
Health coaches work alongside patients to identify realistic actions that fit within their daily lives, reinforcing autonomy and self-efficacy.
On average, participants on the service from 2024-2025 saw the following outcomes:
- 62% reported an increase in total active time per week
- 68% reported an increase in vegetable intake
- 75% reported they reduced the amount they smoke per day
- 80% reported they felt they had achieved their health and wellbeing goals during the service
Integration with primary care
The Better Health Coaching Service is designed to complement, not replace, existing primary care. With patient consent, regular progress updates are shared with referring Health Professionals, including information on patient engagement, goals and progress over time. This supports continuity of care and enables Health Professionals to reinforce lifestyle changes during routine consultations, aligning coaching support with broader chronic disease management and preventive care plans.
If cohorts are interested, monthly reports can be provided with high-level insights such as overall uptake, engagement, and commencement with the service.
Who can refer?
Referrals to the Better Health Coaching Service can be made by:
- General Practitioners
- Practice Nurses
- Allied Health Professionals
- Aboriginal Health Practitioners
- Community Health Workers
- Self-referral
Patients can sign up themselves for free, and do not require a Medicare card to access the service, meaning it can be offered to all adults currently living in Western Australia.
Service accessibility
To maximise access, coaching appointments are available:
- Monday to Friday
- 9am – 9pm
- Delivered entirely by telephone
This extended accessibility allows patients to engage outside standard business hours, supporting those who work, care for others, or those who live in regional and remote areas.
This service is funded for several years and we have no waitlists, meaning patients can access the service immediately.
Refer your patients
For online referrals to the Better Health Coaching Service, please visit: betterhealthcoaching.com.au/health-professional-referrals/
For indirect referrals, or for more information, patients can be directed to: betterhealthcoaching.com.au/wa
For other referrals or patient sign-ups, please call: 1300 822 953 or email info@betterhealthcompany.org.
If your cohort is interested in receiving regular reports on referral uptake, please contact leila.m@betterhealthcompany.org to arrange a unique referral link for your location.
