Victorian Population Health Survey

The Department of Health conducts the Victorian Population Health Survey annually. The survey is the primary source of insights about the health and wellbeing of Victorian adults aged 18 and over, and what affects their health and wellbeing.

Each year, approximately 7,500 Victorians undertake the survey to share information on their health, wellbeing, lifestyle, and the social determinants of their health and wellbeing. This information is used to track changes over time and inform policymaking, service planning and the development of interventions to improve the health of Victorians.

The survey is expanded every 3 years to include approximately 34,000 people. This larger sample size allows us to report on minority populations including First Peoples, people who identify as LGBTIQA+, and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) people. It also helps to provide estimates down to the local government area (LGA) level.

Information that is collected

Information is collected on:

• The prevalence of chronic diseases and conditions and how these change over time.
• Mental health and wellbeing, such as psychological distress, depression and anxiety, and life satisfaction.
• Lifestyle risk factors, such as tobacco smoking and vaping, alcohol consumption, diet, physical inactivity, and sun-protective behaviours.
• Biomedical risk factors, such as hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, and body weight status.
• Other health risk factors, such as psychological distress, food insecurity, experiences of racism and discrimination, and loneliness.
• The social determinants of health, such as socioeconomic status, civic and social trust, social exclusion, and work and unemployment.
• Protective factors, such as connection to culture, and social and emotional support.
• Health literacy, beliefs, and attitudes, including trust in Victoria’s health system.
• Use of healthcare services.
• Unmet healthcare need – healthcare services sought but not received.

How the information is collected

We collect information by computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI).

Adults who live in private dwellings across Victoria are randomly selected and invited to participate. Participation is entirely voluntary, and the confidentiality and identity of all survey participants is protected by law under the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic). The Department of Health's Human Research Ethics Committee has approved the methodology and questionnaire for the survey.

The data are weighted to the Victorian population to reflect the population distribution by age, gender, educational attainment, and geographic location.

Interviews are also conducted in other languages commonly spoken in Victoria to ensure that individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are represented.

How we use the information

The Victorian Population Health Survey (VPHS) is conducted every year in accordance with the Victorian Public Health and Wellbeing Act (2008):

• To provide members of the public with access to ‘reliable information’ in appropriate forms to facilitate a good understanding of public health issues' (Part 2, Section 8[2.a]).
• To inform the development of Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing plans (Part 3, Section 26) and the biennial Chief Health Officer's report (Part 3, Section 21c)
• To report on the health and determinants of health of Victoria’s First Peoples, Victorians who identify as LGBTIQA+, culturally and linguistically diverse Victorians, and vulnerable Victorians.
• To provide data for key indicators of the DH Priority Outcomes framework and the Victorian Public Health and Wellbeing Outcomes framework to inform policymaking and planning.
• To monitor changes over time and identify any new and emerging health concerns.

For more information, call the Department's hotline on 1800 658 830.