- Queensland Health and Health and Wellbeing Queensland jointly led Health Innovation Challenge as part of Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation Private Sector Pathways Program
- AI-powered solution to help users find and access prevention programs to receive funding up to $200,000
- 73 applicants presented potential solutions designed to improve Queensland’s preventive health efforts
- Almost 40% of the burden of disease in Australia is potentially preventable by reducing risk factors, yet many Queenslanders face challenges finding, understanding or connecting with the right preventive health programs and services.
An innovative solution designed to make Queensland’s free and low-cost preventive health programs both easy to find and simple to access has won the 2026 Supporting the Health and Wellbeing of Queenslanders Private Sector Pathways (PSP) Challenge.
The solution submitted by Melanie MacDonald, from Charter Studio, came out on top of the 73 applicants – the biggest response to a PSP Challenge to date. Queensland Health partnered with Health and Wellbeing Queensland to jointly lead the Health Innovation Challenge, which was delivered through the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation’s Private Sector Pathways Program.
Through the Queensland Government’s Private Sector Pathways program, the Challenge invited innovative Queensland-based organisations to submit practical and scalable solutions to support the health and wellbeing of Queenslanders, and help reduce pressure on the public health system, with up to $200,000 available to pilot the winning solution over 6-8 months.
Signpost Health (the working title of the winning solution) proposes to make Queensland’s free and low-cost preventive health programs easier to find and simpler to access.
By creating a trusted, auditable register of preventive health programs and services, Queenslanders would be able to find and access the right health and wellbeing support sooner, with current, accurate and easy-to-navigate information reducing confusion and delays.
Using AI, the solution would automate and strengthen the maintenance of a program and service directory, replacing a time-intensive manual process with an evidence-based approach supported by AI and human verification.
Instead of relying on staff to manually check and update program information, the system would use AI to identify changes, flag outdated or inconsistent details and suggest updates, with human review ensuring quality and oversight, resulting in a more accurate, current and easier-to-maintain directory.
Developed by Woodford-based business, Charter Studio, Signpost Health builds on existing services such as Health and Wellbeing Queensland’s Wellness my Way program, by addressing a key challenge: making program information accurate, accessible, up to date and easy to understand and use.
Up to 40% of chronic disease is preventable, yet many Queenslanders face challenges finding, understanding or connecting with the right preventive health programs and services.
The Private Sector Pathways Challenge sought solutions that could:
- improve access to preventive health programs and services
- make it easier for people to navigate available support
- deliver personalised, accessible and user-friendly experiences
- support better prevention and early management of chronic disease.
Through the pilot project, Charter Studio will work alongside Health and Wellbeing Queensland and Queensland Health to test and refine the solution, with the goal to help more Queenslanders connect with the great health and wellbeing programs and services already on offer.
The pilot outcomes will help inform future approaches to strengthening preventive health pathways and connecting more Queenslanders with support that can improve their health and wellbeing no matter where they live.
Charter Studio showcased Signpost Health at the 2026 Queensland Prevention Symposium on Tuesday 1 September 2026.
Quotes
Melanie MacDonald, Founder and Director, Charter Studio
‘Queensland has some great preventive health programs. Signpost Health will supercharge their availability.’
‘This is AI doing the tedious part, not the deciding part. Nobody makes a career in preventive health because they love checking whether a phone number still works – but it is an essential detail.’
‘Signpost Health uses our already proven model to take that off their plate so they can spend more time looking after Queenslanders, and leaves the judgement calls with the people qualified to make them. Nothing reaches a Queenslander without a person checking it against the source.’
Health and Wellbeing Queensland Chief Executive Dr Robyn Littlewood
‘Charter Studio has shown how innovation and collaboration can help break down the barriers that prevent people from accessing support.’
‘This is a strong example of how partnership and innovation can make prevention more accessible by actively helping connect Queenslanders with the services they need.’
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, Tim Nicholls
‘Innovation is strengthened through collaboration, and this challenge shows what can be achieved when Queensland Health, Health and Wellbeing Queensland and the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation work together to improve access to support for Queenslanders.’
‘This initiative is helping us explore practical ways to make preventive health services easier to find and easier to access.’
‘That is an important part of delivering better health services and better outcomes for Queenslanders.’
Minister for the Environment and Tourism and Minister for Science and Innovation, Andrew Powell
‘Signpost Health will make it easier for Queenslanders to find the support they need, when they need it.’
‘This is exactly the kind of innovation we’re backing, homegrown solutions that deliver better outcomes for Queenslanders.’
Media contact: Catherine Gale-Stanton, Senior Media Advisor, Health and Wellbeing Queensland, 0439 599 210
