Australian Rotary Health

Find out about Australian Rotary Health

Australian Rotary Health (ARH) is one of Australia’s largest independent health research charities, supported by Rotary Clubs nationwide. It focuses primarily on mental health research while also funding initiatives in Indigenous health, rural health, and general medical research.

History & Background

  • Founded in 1981 following an Australia wide fundraising campaign for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) research that was initiated by Ian Scott of the Rotary Club of Mornington, Victoria.
  • Adopted mental health as its primary research focus in 2000, and from 2023 has focused on mental health of children aged 0–12 years.

Key Program Areas

  • Mental Health Research – Grants, fellowships and PhD scholarships focused on preventing and treating mental illness, particularly among young Australians.
  • Indigenous Health Scholarships – Support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students studying health-related degrees.
  • Rural Medical & Nursing Scholarships – Encourage medical and nursing students to undertake placements in rural and remote communities.
  • General Health Research – Co-funded studies into diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

Impact & Funding

  • Since inception, ARH has invested over AUD $55 million in health research and scholarships.
  • Early research into SIDS contributed to public awareness and reduced infant mortality rates.
  • The ‘Lift the Lid’ campaign raises awareness and funds for mental health research.

Governance

  • ARH is a project of the Rotary Districts of Australia and operates as a not-for-profit charity.
  • It is managed by a Board of Rotarian members and recognised as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR).

Why It Matters

  • Addresses critical health gaps, especially in mental health and early prevention.
  • Builds research capacity by supporting emerging health researchers and professionals.
  • Connects Rotary’s community-based service with national-level health impact. 

Getting Involved

  • Rotary Clubs and individuals can donate or fundraise for ARH programs.
  • Support community awareness events such as the ‘Lift the Lid’ campaign.
  • Encourage students and researchers to apply for ARH scholarships or grants.