• Now you can get medicines for less or free through the Closing the Gap PBS Program
• QAIHC Members’ Conference 2025
• The Beautiful Shawl Project: Empowering breast screening
• Kambu Health Social Health Team take home 2025 Queensland Mental Health Award
• 2025-26 Higher Risk Weather Season Preparedness Briefing – First Nations peak bodies and stakeholders
• Sector Jobs

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.

Now you can get medicines for less or free through the Closing the Gap PBS Program

The Closing the Gap (CTG) PBS Program helps Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and families access the medicines they need, wherever they live in Australia.

Once you’re registered, the price of most PBS medicines is reduced, and in some cases, they are even free. Registration is a one-time, for-life process. Yarn with your clinic, pharmacist or Aboriginal Health Practitioner to check your status and get registered.

Learn more here.

QAIHC Members’ Conference 2025

QAIHC Members’ Conference 2025 has officially begun, and Day 1 was filled with culture, connection, and deep conversations.

From data sovereignty and workforce planning to funding reform and policy influence; every discussion centred on helping our communities live long, happy, healthy lives.

• Explored the vital role of data in telling our stories, identifying service gaps, and guiding investment where it matters most.
• Heard from our NT colleagues about the Northern Territory Forum model and how Queensland’s ACCHO sector can coordinate efforts across regions.
• Had an engaging session with Melinda Turner, First Assistant Secretary, First Nations Health Division, Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, on how our sector can influence national programs and priorities.

For more information, go here.

The Beautiful Shawl Project: Empowering breast screening

The Beautiful Shawl Project is a collaborative, Community-led initiative providing safe and empowering breast screening for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in Victoria.

In 2023, The Beautiful Shawl Project was spotlighted in a short film, capturing the stories of the staunch Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who brought it to life.

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, VACCHO celebrates the Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and other Aboriginal-led services working tirelessly to ensure that Community has access to culturally safe screening.

Learn more here.

Kambu Health Social Health Team take home 2025 Queensland Mental Health Award

The Kambu Health Social Health Team have won the 2025 Queensland Mental Health Award, Workplace Award – Community Wellbeing.

Kambu Health wrote on socials:

“This incredible achievement recognises the hard work and dedication of our team in uplifting and empowering our people, and in fostering resilience and strength across our community.

Our holistic approach to wellbeing is made possible through the collaboration of all Kambu Health teams — including our clinical health team, allied health professionals, and program areas — who work together to create safe, supportive, and empowering spaces for our community.”

Read more here.

2025-26 Higher Risk Weather Season Preparedness Briefing – First Nations peak bodies and stakeholders

A preparedness briefing for First Nations peak bodies and stakeholders will be held on Friday 31 October from 10:00am – 11:00am (AEDT) ahead of the 2025-26 Higher Risk Weather Season (HRWS). This briefing will provide the national seasonal outlook and an overview of Australian Government capabilities.

In addition to providing the sectors with the seasonal outlook and overview of Australian Government capability, this briefing will provide participants with the opportunity raise any concerns and ask questions relating to Australian Government preparedness, response and recovery.

This meeting will be chaired by Joe Buffone, Deputy Coordinator General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

Please note that this meeting will be recorded for NEMA administrative purposes and may be shared with Australian Government colleagues to inform their 2025-26 HRWS preparedness activities.

Meeting details:

Microsoft Teams

• Join the meeting now
• Meeting ID: 487 936 591 900 2
• Passcode: 3ov2FE2W

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.