NACCHO Sector News: 14 August 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.

Southern Cross University project aims to improve cervical cancer screening for First Nations women

A project led by NSW’s Southern Cross University is aiming to overcome systemic and cultural barriers which have left Indigenous women at significantly higher risk of cervical cancer.

SISTASCREEN, a federally-funded initiative, will receive almost $2.5 million over three years from Cancer Australia’s Partnerships for Cancer Research grant program. The project will co-design and deliver strategies to increase cervical screening uptake during pregnancy and the postpartum periods for First Nations women.

The project will see Southern Cross University (SCU) work in close partnership with the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), with plans to reach 50 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) nationwide over the next three years.

NACCHO chief executive officer Pat Turner AM said the initiative was vital to ensuring equity in cancer care.

“For too long, our women have faced barriers to lifesaving screening and care—barriers rooted in systems not designed for us,” Ms Turner said.

“SISTASCREEN is about putting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women at the centre of solutions. This is a chance to provide care in a culturally safe, empowering way that builds trust and saves lives.”

Six “early adopter” sites, including Ballina’s Bullinah Aboriginal Health Service on the NSW North Coast, will help co-design the resources while playing a critical role in shaping the program’s nationwide rollout.

Read the full National Indigenous Times article here.

Southern Cross University has been awarded $2.5 million over three-years through Cancer Australia’s Partnerships for Cancer Research grant program for the innovative project, SISTASCREEN. (Image: Jeferson Santu/SCU)

Celebrating 25 years of CAAFLU

Central Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Unit (CAAFLU) celebrated 25 years. Last week, dedicated CAAFLU staff, board members, Sister Organisation, and key individuals who have helped shape CAAFLU came together to reflect on and celebrate the incredible impact made across Central Australia and the Barkly Region.

Image source: CAAFLU

Prof. Pat Dudgeon’s groundbreaking life and work on social emotional wellbeing

In this inspiring instalment of Never the Same, host Dr Tony Pisani welcomes Professor Pat Dudgeon, the first Aboriginal psychologist in Australia and a global voice for First Nations mental health.

Pat describes how confronting the racism in the system sparked her mission to “decolonise” psychology and build a new framework called Social and Emotional Wellbeing, a model that places self, family, community, culture, and Country at the centre of healing.

Across the episode, Pat and Tony revisit moments such as the Ways Forward national report, discuss why Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide demands distinct responses, and celebrate community-led successes, from Indigenous Rangers caring for land to universities rewriting psychology curricula.

Listen here.

Calling the next generation of First Nations leaders

Applications for the Queensland Indigenous Youth Leadership Program (QIYLP) close soon, 17 August 2025.

From 22-28 November 2025, this program offers:

  • Leadership workshops led by respected First Nations leaders
  • Networking with politicians, elders, and community leaders
  • Career development pathways and mentoring
  • A seat in the Eric Deeral Indigenous Youth Parliament

To apply, go here.

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.