Department of Health

Victorian Population Health Survey

Find out how the survey data is collected, what is it used for and access the results of past surveys.

Victorian Population Health Survey 2024

The Victorian Population Health Survey 2024 statewide survey is currently underway with 7,500 participants to be interviewed over the coming months. The survey will close on 1 November 2024.

Data from the 34,000 participants who undertook the 2023 Victorian Population Health Survey is currently being analysed with the dashboard to be published in early 2025.

If you would like more information on the survey, you can call our hotline number on 1800 658 830.

The Victorian Population Health Survey is conducted annually by the Department of Health. The survey is the primary source of insight 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 and lifestyle. This information helps track changes over time and inform the development of plans and programs.

Every three years, the survey expands to include approximately 34,000 people. This larger sample size allows us to report estimates for First Peoples in Victoria, LGBTIQA+ Victorians, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Victorians, and at the local government area (LGA) level.

Information that is collected

Information is collected on:

  • Health and Wellbeing outcomes, such as self-reported health status and life satisfaction.
  • Lifestyle risk factors, such as tobacco smoking and vaping, alcohol consumption, diet, physical activity, and sun-protective behaviours, etc.
  • Biomedical risk factors, such as hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, and body weight status.
  • Other health risk factors, including psychological distress, food insecurity, discrimination and racism, loneliness, and family violence).
  • The prevalence of common chronic diseases, such as asthma, anxiety or depression, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer, osteoarthritis etc.
  • Use of health services.
  • The social determinants of health, such as socioeconomic status, civic and social trust, social exclusion, work, unemployment, and social support.

How the information is collected

Information is collected via computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI).

Adults who reside 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 (Victoria). Additionally, 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.

Besides English, interviews can also be conducted in foreign languages commonly spoken in Victoria, to ensure 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 on key indicators of the DH 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.

If you would like more information on the survey, you can call the Department's hotline number on 1800 658 830.

Victorian Population Health Survey

Reviewed 17 July 2024

Health.vic

Contact us

Population Health Insight Unit Victorian Agency for Health Information

Was this page helpful?