Senior Consultant

Lara Johnston

With an academic background in psychology and public health, Lara Johnston brings a wealth of experience in health research and evaluation to her role as a Senior Consultant at HealthConsult. Her diverse experience across government, not-for-profit, and university sectors provides her with a comprehensive understanding of the health landscape in Australia.

Lara’s superpower

Lara's superpower lies in her ability to design and implement robust research methodologies while engaging effectively with stakeholders. Her expertise in mental health and public health, combined with her skills in project management and data analysis, allows her to tackle complex health issues with a holistic approach.

How she got here

  • Led and contributed to numerous high-profile projects at HealthConsult, including expanding the National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program into new staff indicators for residential aged care
  • Designed and evaluated Consumer Experience Interviews in Residential Aged Care
  • Evaluated the Pathways to Home lapsing program for the Victorian Department of Health
  • Assessed Care Coordination for TAC clients with complex wellbeing needs
  • Evaluated RANZCO supervisor training modules
  • Evaluated the rollout of a regional network of Department of Health Staff
  • Evaluated the Home Care Workforce Support Program
  • Evaluated the National Dementia Support Program
  • Joined HealthConsult as a Senior Consultant, bringing her expertise in health research and evaluation
  • Served as a Senior Project Officer at the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, further honing her skills in health policy and quality improvement
  • Worked as a Research Officer and Research Assistant at the Black Dog Institute, focusing on mental health research and initiatives
  • Coordinated a Corporate Health Management Program, gaining experience in workplace health promotion
  • Began her career as an Administration Officer / Quality Assurance Officer at Medicins Legale, developing foundational skills in healthcare administration and quality assurance
  • Completed a Master of Public Health at the University of Melbourne, building on her psychology background to develop a comprehensive understanding of public health issues.