Australian-first digital health platform offers free sign-up for health providers

A groundbreaking digital health platform designed to support rural mothers is now offering free memberships for health professionals, organisations, and service providers across Australia.

Motherland Connect, a national online health platform launched by charity Motherland in September 2024, connects women living in rural and remote areas with a growing database of mental and physical healthcare services. To date, more than 170 businesses have set up profiles on the platform, and the network continues to expand.

Thanks to ongoing support from major partner nbn, Motherland is now calling on health service providers, practitioners, and organisations nationwide to list their services for free at motherlandconnect.org.au.

“Motherland’s mission is to reduce isolation for rural mothers and improve mental health outcomes,” said Motherland Founder and CEO, Stephanie Trethewey.

“Our data shows that over 70% of rural mums have delayed seeking healthcare because they couldn’t access or find the right services. The fact that 30% told us they don’t have access to mental health support in their nearest town shows just how vital this platform is.”

Bridging the rural healthcare gap

Since launching in September 2024, Motherland Connect has become the country’s first digital resource hub designed specifically for rural mums – a centralised, trusted directory where users can search by location, postcode, or category to find in-person or Telehealth services that can support rural women, and understand the challenges of rural life.

Motherland Connect is used by an average of 380 rural mums each month and features organisations offering a wide range of services including mental health support, relationship counselling, pregnancy and birth care, matrescence education, allied health, fitness, nutrition, and parenting support. The directory includes private businesses, government entities, not-for-profits, and charities.

Trusted by rural mums

Motherland’s recent survey found that:

• 95% of rural mums who have used the platform feel confident the listed services are trustworthy and safe.
• 85% said they previously relied on Google to find health services, and 15% used social media.
• Users highly rated the platform’s ease of use, speed, and design, and said they valued the option of Telehealth to avoid long travel times.

“I was surprised to find a lot more services available than I thought,” said Melinda Carroll, a mum of two from the Southern Tablelands in NSW. “I also trust these services and businesses and would be more likely to use them from the Motherland Connect site than Google.”

A call to Australia’s health community

Motherland is now focused on growing the platform’s reach and expanding the services available to rural women. The charity is encouraging health professionals and organisations that provide physical or mental health support (in-person or online) to join the directory for free and help make healthcare more accessible for rural women.

“If your work supports the health and wellbeing of rural mothers in any way, we invite you to list your services. Every new listing helps a rural mum find the right care, faster,” said Trethewey.

“At nbn, we’re committed to connecting people across the country to the digital opportunities that define modern life, helping families to stay in touch, supporting businesses to thrive and empowering communities to grow. That’s why we are proud to support Motherland Connect and the incredible work it is doing to foster digital inclusion and community connection,” said Sam Dimarco, General Manager nbn Regional and Remote.

Join the movement: Health professionals and organisations can register their services for free and help bridge the rural healthcare divide at motherlandconnect.org.au.