WHO safe city accreditation

Melbourne is internationally recognised as a safe community, by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Melbourne was the first Australian capital city to be designated a Safe Community by WHO in 2000, and it remains the only Australian capital city and the first capital city in the Southern hemisphere to achieve and maintain this status.

In order to be designated a Safe Community by the WHO Safe Community Network, the following six criteria must be met:

1. An infrastructure based on partnership and collaborations, governed
   by a cross-sectional group that is responsible for safety promotion in
   their community.
2. Long-term, sustainable programs covering both genders and all ages,
   environments, and situations.
3. Programs that target high-risk groups and environments, and
   programs that promote safety for vulnerable groups.
4. Programs that document the frequency and causes of injuries.
5. Evaluation measures to assess programs, processes and effects of
   changes.
6. Ongoing participation in national and international Safe Communities
   networks.

Every five years, the last being 2006, the City of Melbourne submits a formal application highlighting how each of the six WHO criteria is being met and maintained within the local community.

Safe city accreditation websites

• Department of Public Health Sciences
• Safe Communities Foundation NZ
• Victorian Safe Communities Network