NACCHO Sector News: 26 March 2025

The NACCHO Sector News is a platform we use to showcase the important work being done in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, focusing on the work of NACCHO, NACCHO members and NACCHO affiliates.

We also share a curated selection of news stories that are of likely interest to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector, broadly.

Some good news for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health

The National Aboriginal Community-controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) is pleased to hear of measures which should have a positive effect on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.

The Chair of NACCHO, Donnella Mills, speaking in Melbourne this evening said, ‘We knew what was coming for our sector from the announcements related to the $842m package (over six years) that the Government negotiated with our colleagues at APONT in the Northern Territory. And we were also aware of some injections of funding in critical programs such as rheumatic heart disease (RHD). There is also funding for the Coalition of Peaks, which we are pleased to see. These are welcome announcements.’

In Canberra last night, Pat Turner, the CEO of NACCHO said, ‘The big thing for our sector in this Budget is the increased access to Medicare and the PBS. The $8.5b Medicare package will not only help our ACCHOs, but the better access to bulkbilling and medicines will directly benefit the half a million or so Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who access our 550 clinics. It was also pleasing to hear that the Coalition supports this critical announcement.’

Notwithstanding the measures in tonight’s Budget, more needs to be done if we are serious about closing the health gap. NACCHO has been working with the Department of Health for over seven years on a new funding model for the ACCHO sector. Currently, most of the funding is tied to historical decisions, which can no longer be justified. So, we are on the cusp of instituting a new and fairer model which represents the best chance we have had in a generation to deliver real reform.

Read the full media release here.

Nunkuwarrin Yunti’s new medical facility

The Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia (AHCSA) were proud to attend the official opening of Nunkuwarrin Yunti’s new medical facility.

Designed with multiple consulting rooms for GPs, nurses, counsellors, and other health practitioners, this space will undoubtedly make a positive impact on the community.

“We look forward to seeing the continued growth and success of Nunkuwarrin Yunti as they serve the health and wellbeing of the community,” AHCSA wrote on social media.

Image source: AHCSA.

‘Excited to serve the community’: new gym is a first of its kind for Orange

Based out of the Orange Aboriginal Medical Service, a new gym specifically aimed at the disabled community opened on Tuesday.

Some of the equipment on offer includes attachments which allow users to lift weights as well as a ceiling hoist and plinth to tackle balancing exercises to work core muscles.

The gym will be operated by Neuromoves – a specialised service from Spinal Cord Injuries Australia – and will be open to all members of the public, not just OAMS patients.

Read more here.

The new gym for Orange’s disabled community, located out of the Orange Aboriginal Medical Service. Picture by Carla Freedman

Good Medicine Better Health: Understanding and Managing Vaping

Vaping is on the rise, and understanding its risks is more important than ever. The latest Good Medicine Better Health module on Understanding and Managing Vaping is here to help.

Gain the knowledge and skills to support clients who vape and help prevent uptake in your community – plus, earn National Association of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health Workers CPD points along the way.

To complete the GMBH module, go here.

After support to quit vaping or smoking? Reach out to Quit on 13 78 48, or go here.

‘Inspiring’ basketball program keeps young people out of prison system

First Nations-led basketball program Hoops 4 Health gave peer mentor Aaron Hyde the boost he needed to chase his dreams while serving time in prison.

The recently paroled 28-year-old now runs workshops for young people and adults in the Alice Springs men’s prison and in communities to help them tackle trauma.

Founded in Darwin in 2001 by Warumungu and Nyikina man and former pro-baller Timmy Duggan, the basketball program was rolled out in the territory’s youth detention centres in 2016.

Mr Duggan said the initiative combined peer-led emotional regulation sessions, basketball and money skills.

“It’s a traumatic experience going to prison, and what a lot of our participants have faced might have been intergenerational trauma as well, so we’re using this model around healing-centred sport to address it,” he said.

Read the full article here.

Aaron Hyde (left) and Timmy Duggan run trauma-informed basketball workshops in communities and prisons. (ABC News: Michael Donelly)

Sector Jobs – you can see sector job listings on the NACCHO website here.

Advertising Jobs – to advertise a job vacancy click here to go to the NACCHO website current job listings webpage. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find a Post A Job form. You can complete this form with your job vacancy details – it will then be approved for posting and go live on the NACCHO website.