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NACCHO Sector News: 13 October 2025

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health News

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.

Air Force, NACCHO partnership supports Indigenous health in Far North Queensland

The Royal Australian Air Force is visiting Mareeba, Queensland, from 1 October to 6 November for Exercise Kummundoo 2025. The initiative will deliver essential health services and deepening ties with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Far North Queensland.

Now in its 11th year, Exercise Kummundoo is a community engagement initiative delivered in partnership with the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO). The program supports Air Force’s reconciliation commitments while contributing to better health outcomes in regional and remote Indigenous communities.

NACCHO CEO Pat Turner AM, emphasised the importance of community control in improving health outcomes.

“Through Exercise Kummundoo, the Air Force is walking alongside our sector, listening, learning, and contributing in practical ways that make a difference. This is how we strengthen trust, improve health, and create real opportunities for our communities,” Ms Turner said.

Read more here.

Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, DSC, CSC, OAM (right) and National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Chairperson Donnella Mills formalise a renewed Memorandum of Understanding between the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and NACCHO.

Help shape the new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Body for Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence – Survey deadline extended

You now have until 17 October to help shape the new National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Body for Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence.

Find out more and take the surveys now, here.

Your expertise – whether in response, prevention, early intervention or advocacy – is crucial in building a Peak Body that genuinely serves our communities and sector needs.

Understanding consultation fatigue, previous consultations have been used as a starting point. Specific feedback is now being sought on the Peak Body’s operational model and priorities. These surveys, together with a series of online workshops and sector engagement, will help shape how family violence is collectively addressed in our communities.

Image source: Coalition of Peaks

Ballarat Aboriginal Co-op becomes first ACCO to lead early years management in Victoria

The Victorian Government has announced the establishment of the first Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisation (ACCO) to operate as an Early Years Management (EYM) authority.

The Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative (BADAC) has been officially registered as the state’s first ACCO EYM.

BADAC currently oversees kindergartens at Perridak Burron in Brown Hill, Yirram Burron in Sebastopol, and Yaluk Burron in Ballan, providing culturally inclusive early learning programs to local families.

“We are very proud of the Early Years centres that we have established and the growth within the community over the past five years,” BADAC chief executive Karen Heap said.

“Becoming the first ACCO EYM enables us to guide, support and inspire other ACCOs across the state, ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and children are supported in Early Years Education.”

Read more here.

Universities Australia welcomes more places for First Nations medical students

Universities Australia has welcomed the federal government’s decision to remove caps on Commonwealth Supported Places for First Nations medical students through the Education Legislation Amendment (Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2025.

“If passed by the Parliament, it will be a really important reform that will change the lives of First Nations students, their families and communities, as well as our health system,” Universities Australia, Chief Executive Officer, Mr Luke Sheehy said this week.

The number of First Nations students studying medicine continues to grow, with 489 enrolled in 2024; a 17 per cent increase since 2021, including 124 new students.

“The growth in First Nations medical student numbers shows what’s possible when governments and universities work together to expand opportunity and support success,” Mr Sheehy said.

Read more here.

Indigenous medical school graduates celebrating, 2025.

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.

Email us your story with some images to: NACCHOCommunicationsandMedia@naccho.org.au and we will feature it in the news.

Email us your story with some images to: NACCHOCommunicationsandMedia@naccho.org.au
and we will feature it in the news.

NACCHO Sector News: 1 October 2025

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health News

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.

NACCHO welcomes Maari Ma (NSW) and Indigenous Wellbeing Centre (Qld), growing the ACCHO network to 148

The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) has welcomed two new members, Maari Ma (New South Wales) and the Indigenous Wellbeing Centre (Queensland), bringing the national network to 148 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs).

ACCHOs are locally governed, community-owned services that deliver comprehensive, culturally informed primary health care. They are built on a model of trust and accountability to community. This approach has consistently delivered better access, better engagement, and better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for over 50 years.

NACCHO Chair, Donnella Mills, said the milestone is more than an increase in numbers; it is a story of community strength and determination.

“Every ACCHO begins with communities coming together and saying: we deserve better health, and we will take charge of it ourselves. To welcome Maari Ma and the Indigenous Wellbeing Centre into our fold is to welcome the voice and leadership of two more communities.

When communities run their own health services, they bring lived experience, culture, and deep knowledge of local needs to the centre of care. That is why ACCHOs have stood the test of time, because they are built by community, for community.

Reaching 148 members shows the resilience and growth of our sector. It’s proof that the community-controlled model not only works, it thrives. That is something to be proud of, and something Australia should celebrate.”

NACCHO CEO, Pat Turner AM, said the growth of the sector underscores the need for sustained investment in community-controlled health if Australia is to meet Closing the Gap targets.

“Community control is not just an idea; it is a proven model that delivers results. For over five decades, ACCHOs have shown that when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples design, deliver, and govern their own health services, health outcomes improve. That is why the growth to 148 ACCHOs is so important.

More ACCHOs mean more access to culturally safe, comprehensive primary health care. This is Priority Reform Two in action: building the community-controlled sector to deliver services where they are needed most.

If governments are serious about Closing the Gap, they must continue to invest in what works. Our communities have spoken; they want community-controlled health care, and our sector is ready to deliver. We have the solutions, and we are growing stronger every day.”

NACCHO now represents 148 ACCHOs, operating more than 550 clinics nationwide and delivering over 3.6 million episodes of care annually. With Maari Ma and the Indigenous Wellbeing Centre joining the network, NACCHO’s reach is deeper than ever, and its message clearer: community control saves lives, strengthens communities, and is the path to health equity.

Now you can get PBS 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.

First Nations Economic Partnership formally signed at Parliament House

This week’s signing by Treasurer Chalmers represents a significant milestone in our journey toward economic self-determination.

The Partnership is a national commitment to fundamentally shift how governments and First Nations peoples work together to create secure and meaningful jobs in communities, grow Indigenous businesses through improved access to capital, and improve our people’s economic security.

The agreement emerged from extensive national engagement led by the Coalition of Peaks. Every commitment made was informed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander insights and experiences.

Learn more.

Image source: Coalition of Peaks.

Strengthening diabetes care in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

At the National Medicines Symposium 2025, hear from Dr Jason Agostino, NACCHO Senior Medical Advisor, as he explores how integrated care models can improve outcomes where diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and kidney disease frequently overlap.

This keynote will highlight:

  • Opportunities to improve access to new medicines
  • The role of integrated pharmacists in primary care teams
  • How culturally safe care supports quality use of medicines

Learn more here.

Image source: Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care

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.

Email us your story with some images to: NACCHOCommunicationsandMedia@naccho.org.au and we will feature it in the news.

Email us your story with some images to: NACCHOCommunicationsandMedia@naccho.org.au
and we will feature it in the news.

NACCHO Sector News: 22 September 2025

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health News

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.

New Tennant Creek health worker accommodation opens

New staff accommodation at an aged-care facility in Tennant Creek has been officially opened, delivering a boost for the local health workforce.

The housing, built at the Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation, is part of the federal government’s commitment to invest in remote communities and Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health services.

The accommodation will be available to both local and visiting clinical staff who provide primary health care to Indigenous people in Tennant Creek and surrounding communities. It is expected to help address workforce shortages and improve continuity of care.

National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) CEO Pat Turner said the new facilities reflected investment in the “foundations of care,” enabling health professionals in the Barkly to remain close to home.

The project was co-designed with the First Nations health sector and aligns with Priority Reform Two of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap — building the Community-Controlled sector.

Ms Turner said this approach reflected this, arguing it was “led locally, supported nationally, with the Australian Government; working in genuine partnership with our community-controlled sector and strong co-investment from Anyinginyi”.

“When our workforce has appropriate and supportive accommodation, they can stay longer and provide the consistent, culturally safe, comprehensive primary health care our people deserve, and that’s how we Close the Gap in Tennant Creek,” she added.

Read the full article here.

New staff accomodation at Tenant Creek’s Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation.

AIDA conference sponsorship

NACCHO is proud to support three Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors to attend the AIDA 2025 Conference on Gadigal Country this November!

To be considered for sponsorship, applicants must:

  • Be a current AIDA member
  • Be employed at an ACCHO
  • Be PGY2+
  • Complete the two-step application process before the deadline
  • Have CEO support for both the application and conference attendance

Successful applicants will receive:

  • 4 nights’ accommodation in Sydney (26–30 November)
  • Return flights from their nearest major airport
  • On-ground transfers to/from Sydney airport
  • Full conference registration

The application deadline has been extended to 5PM AEST, Friday 26 September 2025.

Please visit the AIDA conference webpage for further details and to apply.  

Become a cyber champion: Strengthening Australian healthcare’s cyber resilience

Australia’s healthcare sector is facing ever-evolving cyber threats, and now more than ever, building a strong cyber security culture is vital. The Cyber Champions Network is a community of healthcare professionals with the collective goal to foster a proactive, engaged, and security-conscious healthcare ecosystem. Together, members are strengthening Australia’s collective cyber defences and enhancing the sector’s ability to respond to emerging threats.

How Does the Program Work?

Participants join five interactive fortnightly sessions, each running 1 to 2 hours. The program is designed to build positive cyber behaviours, including:

  • Understanding the types of cyber security threats and risks that are currently affecting Australian healthcare organisations.
  • Learn about the best practices to secure your systems.
  • Recognise that cyber security is everyone’s responsibility and learn about the impact of social media and your digital footprint, as well as supply chain risk and vendor management.
  • Learn how to build cyber resilience, including creating a cyber incident response plan and cyber security awareness program.

Participant feedback 

“The presenters create an atmosphere where no question is too basic, which helps build confidence for participants who may feel less experienced with technology. Real case studies are woven into each session using plain English and relatable analogies such as comparing strong passwords to infection control.

“In today’s environment, cybersecurity in healthcare is patient safety. The Cyber Champions Network webinars have shown that when staff are supported with approachable presenters, real stories, and ready-to-use tools, they don’t just learn — they become advocates for cyber awareness in their own right.”

-Venjie Diola, AMSANT Information system Manager

Ready to Join?

Participation in the Cyber Champions Program is free, and no technical skills are required.  New sessions are commencing in the new year starting on the 3rd February 2026. Don’t miss this opportunity to become a leader in cybersecurity within your healthcare organisation.

Take the next step to protect your organisation and join the Cyber Champions Network today! Register your interest here.

Venjie Diola presenting at the AMSANT Digital Health forum held in Mbantua (Alice Springs).

Knowledge Translation Summit

Lowitja Institute invites you to our Knowledge Translation Summit 2025, an online event that will bring together First Nations peoples, communities, researchers, and policymakers to share knowledge, highlight innovation, and influence systems change.

The Summit will showcase presentations from Lowitja Institute’s 4th International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference, giving those who couldn’t attend on Kaurna Country the opportunity to hear from First Nations peoples leading national and international programs and research.

Learn more and register here.

Image source: Lowitja Institute

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.

Email us your story with some images to: NACCHOCommunicationsandMedia@naccho.org.au and we will feature it in the news.

Email us your story with some images to: NACCHOCommunicationsandMedia@naccho.org.au
and we will feature it in the news.

NACCHO Sector News: 12 September 2025

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health News

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.

Sector leadership this FASD Awareness Month

“Our communities have led the way in responding to FASD for decades. We know what works: culturally informed care, early diagnosis, and wrap-around support for families.” – Pat Turner, NACCHO CEO.

Tuesday 9 September marked international FASD Awareness Day – a day to increase awareness, reduce stigma and celebrate the leadership of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) in FASD support and prevention.

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, or FASD, describes the range of developmental disabilities in children due to alcohol exposure during pregnancy. To represent 9 months of pregnancy, September is FASD awareness month. It’s a time to build understanding about FASD and open discussions about the importance of creating supportive communities for alcohol-free pregnancies.

A couple of weeks ago, NACCHO attended the FASD Awareness Month event at Parliament House. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders, health experts, and policy makers gathered wearing red shoes and socks to discuss the importance of FASD and its interaction with the justice system.

The event highlighted the importance of FASD education, early diagnosis, cross-sector partnerships in the areas of health and justice, as well as support for families. Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon Mark Butler spoke to the importance of ongoing health promotion for FASD, and a panel discussion followed which included NACCHO Board Chair Donnella Mills and FASD Working Group Member, Jenni Rogers from Ord Valley Aboriginal Health Service (OVAHS).

Around Australia, ACCHO’s continue to put on amazing FASD awareness events using the Strong Born resources. Through this campaign, NACCHO works with ACCHOs across Australia to deliver strengths-based health information, culturally safe conversations, and locally led prevention strategies, breaking down the shame, blame, and stigma that can prevent families from seeking help.

Localised Strong Born events have supported conversations about FASD across the country. The Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre created Ngayapi Rrala – we are Palawa, we are Strong Born a localised campaign to support babies to grow up with a clear spirit, strong bodies, and ready to strengthen Culture and community into the future. On Wannaruah country, Ungooroo Aboriginal Corporation hosted a Community Health and Wellbeing Expo with NRL Players modelling Strong Born t-shirts and messages. In WA on the lands of the Noongar Boodjar people, South West AMS held staff and community training on FASD to help the team stay up to date on the latest research and support pathways. New bubs and families at the Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Service participated in a Welcome & Smoking ceremony to connect, promote protection and show acknowledgement of births.

So, what can you do for FASD Awareness Month? 

  • Download free Strong Born resources from the NACCHO website. Click here to find posters, booklets and social media tiles for your service.
  • Run a local FASD awareness campaign using the Strong Born resources – take photos and tag NACCHO on social media.
  • Share NACCHO’s posts and fellow member services’ great work on social media.

Image source: NACCHO

Early bird registrations for the 2025 NACCHO Members’ Conference close tomorrow!

Early bird registrations for the 2025 NACCHO Members’ Conference close tomorrow, Saturday 13 September.

This year’s program includes the NACCHO Members’ Conference, National Youth Conference, and AGM – taking place from 8-10 December at the Royal Randwick Racecourse on Bidjigal & Gadigal Country, Sydney. The 2025 theme is: Strength Comes from Community Control.

Don’t miss out – secure your place today at the early bird rate! Register here.

Early Bird Registration close 13 September.

Early Bird Registration Close 13 September.

Bringing passion and purpose to men’s health in Mparntwe

A chance encounter with some dear friends after a holiday in Mparntwe/Alice Springs led Queenslander Jacob Murray, a proud Noonuccal and Kombumerri man from the Quandamooka Nation, to a new chapter in his nursing journey, and one that’s already having a visible impact on the lives of Aboriginal men in Central Australia.

Mr Murray, a registered nurse with experience working across rural and remote Queensland, recently joined the team at the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, Ingkintja, a men’s health clinic in Mparntwe/Alice Springs.

For the past six months, he’s been supporting Aboriginal men with their health needs, from comprehensive check-ups and sexual health conversations to helping them understand medications and their cultural and social wellbeing.

Read more here.

Image source: National Indigenous Times

New Medicare mental health centre for Alice Springs

A new Medicare Mental Health Centre will soon open in Mparntwe/Alice Springs, providing free support for people in distress without the need for an appointment, referral or treatment plan.

Central Australia Aboriginal Congress (CAAC) CEO, Donna Ah Chee, said it was crucial that Australia’s health system improves access to care — particularly for people with severe mental illness.

“The impact of intergenerational trauma means that Central Australia has a high prevalence of severe mental illness, and these people need better community-based, ongoing care. Their families also need a place they can more easily turn to for support,” she said.

The Northern Territory Primary Health Network is commissioning the centre, with CAAC and Neami National selected as providers.

Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Emma McBride, said: “Alice Springs residents will soon be able to walk in and access the free support and care they need from a multidisciplinary care team. The centre will be led by Congress and Neami, delivering strong cultural and community connections across Alice Springs and Central Australia.”

Ms Ah Chee said CAAC welcomed the partnership with Neami National to establish a “really accessible new Mparntwe Medicare Mental Health Centre”.

Raed more here.

A new Medicare Mental Health Centre is set to open soon in Mparntwe/Alice Springs. (Image: AAP)

Alarm about impact of aged care reforms upon Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders

The Federal Government has been urged to abandon aged care reforms amid concerns they will cause deep hardship and suffering for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders.

Dr Jill Gallagher AO, the CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO), has called on the Government to immediately exempt Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders from income-tested fees and co-contributions under the new Support at Home program.

It is also critical that Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) are involved in the design and delivery of aged care, she writes below.

“Our Elders deserve aged care systems that honour their dignity, history and sovereignty,” she says. “They are the holders and keepers of the oldest living culture in the world, and they do not deserve more policies that once again leave them behind.”

Read more here.

Dr Jill Gallagher AO and her mother, Francis Gallagher.

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.

Email us your story with some images to: NACCHOCommunicationsandMedia@naccho.org.au and we will feature it in the news.

Email us your story with some images to: NACCHOCommunicationsandMedia@naccho.org.au
and we will feature it in the news.

NACCHO Sector News: 22 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.

What happens when strong voices, shared purpose, and the right partnerships come together?

Last week on Turrbal and Yuggera Country in Meanjin (Brisbane), NACCHO, in partnership with Bupa, brought together 16 outstanding trainers and assessors to strengthen diabetes education across our communities.

Grounded in culture, connection and lived experience, they shared knowledge, explored best practice, and began shaping national training resources that reflect the strength, diversity, and realities of mob.

This gathering wasn’t just about ticking compliance boxes; it was about empowering local leaders to drive change, build capability, and deliver training that truly speaks to community.

Together, we’re building a workforce ready to make a lasting impact in diabetes prevention and care.

Meet the Worimi doctor fighting high rates of cervical cancer among First Nations women

For the past 20 years Dr Marilyn Clarke has worked on Gumbaynggirr Country as an obstetrician and gynaecologist.

The rate of cervical cancer among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in Australia is more than double the rate among non-Indigenous women. Cultural barriers, lack of awareness, logistical challenges, and historical and systemic issues contribute to under-screening and late detection of pre-cancerous lesions, representing a system failure for Aboriginal women.

Dr Marilyn Clarke hopes to see those statistics change for the better. SISTASCREEN is a co-designed strategy being developed which aims to increase cervical screening rates by offering the test during routine antenatal checkups at Aboriginal-led health services.

“Antenatal visits at their local Aboriginal community-controlled health service is an opportune time to engage First Nations women in cervical screening in a way which ensures culturally safety and empowerment,” Dr Clarke said.

The project is set to be led by Southern Cross University in partnership with the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), with $2.4 million in funding over three-years from the federal government through Cancer Australia.

The project will see six “early adopter” sites established from the outset: the first is the Bullinah Aboriginal Health Service in Ballina on the New South Wales Coast.
Its goal is to establish 50 sites at Aboriginal community controlled health organisations across the country over the next three years.

NACCHO CEO Pat Turner AM has welcomed the partnership.

“For too long, our women have faced barriers to lifesaving screening and care, barriers rooted in systems that weren’t designed for us, by us,” Ms Turner said.

“We cannot eliminate cervical cancer in Australia while Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women continue to be left behind.”

Read the full article here.

Worimi woman Dr Marilyn Clarke currently works for the Southern Cross University Faculty of Health at the Coffs Harbour campus.

Wuchopperen’s $2.6m air quality upgrade helping control respiratory diseases

A Far North primary health provider was awarded $2m in government funds to upgrade its clinic’s air quality, but the measure is unlikely to be rolled out across other centres in the region.

Wuchopperen Health Service tipped in about $600,000 of its own funds to upgrade air conditioning in three of its eight buildings at the Manoora clinic.

The improved filtration system, which features negative pressure rooms, will help prevent the spread of airborne infectious diseases through the centre’s ducts – an issue heightened during the Covid pandemic.

Wuchopperen chief executive Joy Savage said the project dubbed “breathe easy” was helping deliver the highest standard of air ventilation and quality, often reserved for hospitals’ acute care providers.

“We all now realise even in a primary care setting … how the air quality, how the ventilation can play an added protective weight in containing infection,” Ms Savage said.

“It is always the ambition of any health care provider to have the latest facilities available to both aid the provision of service and to keep the visitors and patients in an environment that is certainly not going to cause any harm or add any risk to their health.”

Read the full article here.

Wuchopperen chief executive Joy Savage, Assistant Health Minister Rebecca White and Member for Leichhardt, Matt Smith.

Aboriginal-led organisations honoured for suicide prevention work

Waterlily Healing Indigenous Corporation and Perfectly Imperfect Consulting, based on Larrakia Country in Darwin, have received the ‘Community’ Award at the 2025 Barbara Hocking Memorial Awards.

Hosted by suicide prevention organisation R U OK?, the awards recognise efforts to create a world where we are all connected and protected from suicide across four categories: Workplace, Education, Community and Conversation Leader.

The judging panel recognised Karyn Anne Moyle and her team for “empowering those in their world to meaningfully connect and lend support to each other when they are struggling with life, particularly through culturally safe, trauma-informed programs that empower Aboriginal communities to speak openly about mental health, grief, and suicide”.

Read the full article here.

If this article brought up anything for you or someone you love, please reach out to, call or visit the resources listed below for support.

Image: supplied.

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.

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.

NACCHO Sector News: 4 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.

Like writing in the sand: government promises of transformational change fail to eventuate

The latest Closing the Gap data has backed up earlier reviews showing that, when governments do relinquish total control and share decision-making with First Nations organisations, change is possible.

The latest update from the Productivity Commission found just four of the 19 targets were on track to be met by 2031. Closing the Gap targets are part of a national agreement aimed at reducing First Nations peoples’ disadvantage.

The findings echo those of the Independent Review of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, released in June, which found that governments are falling short in their obligations and need to urgently shift how they work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“Governments need to stop, take stock, and change their approach,” said Pat Turner, NACCHO CEO and lead convenor of the Coalition of Peaks, which represents Aboriginal community-controlled organisations.

“We now have two independent reports telling us the same thing: where our organisations lead and are properly supported, we see progress.

“But when governments fail to meet their commitments, the gap doesn’t just remain, it widens.”

Read the full article here.

NACCHO CEO Pat Turner says when governments share power with First Nations organisations Closing the Gap is possible. Source: AAP / LUKAS COCH/AAPIMAGE

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children celebrated as leaders of tomorrow

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children took centre stage today as communities across the country came together to honour their strength, voice and deep cultural identity on National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day.

Catherine Liddle, CEO of SNAICC – National Voice for our Children, said Children’s Day plays a vital role in recognising, uplifting and raising the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

“It’s a day where our next-generation leaders get to share their culture and celebrate how special they are, how deeply they belong and how important their voice is, now and into the future,” Ms Liddle said.

“Our children carry the world’s oldest living culture. That’s something all Australians should take pride in.

“Celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children is how we protect and grow that legacy.

“We celebrate on August 4 as it has historically been used to communally celebrate the birthdays of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were taken from their families without knowing their birthday – the Stolen Generations.”

Read the full media release here.

Image source: SNAICC – National Voice for our Children

Key health organisations stand with community sector for urgent climate action

Prominent health organisations have joined a call by Australia’s community sector for the Albanese Government to aim for net zero emissions by 2035. A statement signed by 88 organisations says that to protect people and the planet, “waiting until 2050 is too late”.

Signatories to the statement include the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), Consumers Health Forum of Australia, the Australian Health Promotion Association, Public Health Association of Australia, and community health service provider cohealth.

Read more here.

Image source: Croakey Health Media

Champion of truth-telling Sue-Anne Hunter appointed Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People

The federal government has appointed Australia’s first permanent National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People.

Late on Sunday, Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, and Minister for Social Services, Tanya Plibersek, announced Adjunct Professor Sue-Anne Hunter will take on the role, commencing later this year.

A proud Wurundjeri and Ngurai Illum Wurrung woman, Professor Hunter brings more than 20 years of experience in the family services sector, including senior roles at SNAICC – National Voice of Our Children, the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA), and as a social worker.

Read more here.

Sue-Anne Hunter at the tabling of a Yoorrook Justice Commission report in September, 2023. Image: Joel Carrett (AAP).

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.

NACCHO Sector News: 31 July 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.

Launch of the National Lung Cancer Screening Program

This week, Donnella Mills, NACCHO Chair and NACCHO Cancer Team members joined the Hon. Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health, Disability and Ageing, Cancer Australia and an incredible group of experts, clinicians and lived experience advocates at Parliament House to celebrate the launch of the National Lung Cancer Screening Program.

The National Lung Cancer Screening Program is the first new national cancer screening program in nearly 20 years. NACCHO’s partnership with the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing highlights the value of prioritising equitable, accessible and culturally safe cancer care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

If you’re aged 50-70 years and currently smoke or have quit in the past 10 years, yarn with your doctor or health worker about being screened.

Learn more about the NLCSP here.

Donnella Mills, NACCHO Chair and NACCHO Cancer Team members.

Aboriginal Community Controlled and First Nations Led Registered Training Organisations CoP

Over the past two days, NACCHO and the Aboriginal Community Controlled (ACC) and First Nations Led (FNL) Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) came together on Bidjigal & Dharawal County at AH&MRC in Little Bay for the first ACC & FNL RTO Community of Practice (CoP) meeting.

We networked, shared best practice and had collaborative conversations on all thing’s RTOs. For many it was the first time coming together with like-minded people with a focus on building the capability and capacity of the ACC & FNL RTO sector. This ensures Community has opportunities to access Culturally Safe and relevant training.

View photos here.

ACC & FNL RTO Community of Practice (CoP) members at AH&MRC

New Closing the Gap data confirms what works: partnership and community control

The latest Productivity Commission annual Closing the Gap data report confirms that  when Aboriginal community-controlled organisations are treated as partners and  properly resourced, they deliver real results.

The findings echo those of the Independent Review of the National Agreement on Closing  the Gap, released last month, which found that governments are falling short in their  obligations and need to urgently shift how they work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“Governments need to stop, take stock, and change their approach,” said Pat Turner AM, Lead Convenor of the Coalition of Peaks, which represents Aboriginal community controlled organisations.

“We now have two independent reports telling us the same thing: where our organisations lead and are properly supported, we see progress. But when governments fail to meet their commitments, the gap doesn’t just remain, it widens.”

Read the full media release here.

Image source: Coalition of Peaks

Closing the Gap progress report: QAIHC says same, same – now we need different

The Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Council (QAIHC) is urging governments nationally to strengthen their commitment to the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and its priority reforms, with yet another progress report highlighting few improvements over the past 12 months.

Only four out of 19 targets in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap remain on track to be met by 2031, according to the Productivity Commission’s new 2025 Annual Data Compilation Report.

Although healthy birthweights (Target 2) are improving, they remain off track. Four key targets are continuing to worsen – suicide rates (Target 14), incarceration rates for adults (Target 10), developmental outcomes for children (Target 4), and the number of children in out-of-home care (Target 12).

“This year’s CTG report card remains disappointing and continues to demonstrate a lack of collective focus on delivering priority reforms. We need local practical solutions to the challenges of Closing the Gap,” QAIHC Acting Chief Executive Officer Paula Arnol said.

Read the full media release here.

Image source: QAIHC

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.

NACCHO Sector News: 7 July 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.

Full implementation of the Priority Reforms of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap is what is needed to drive lasting improvements in our health and wellbeing

Aboriginal health leaders at this year’s Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector Conference have raised concerns about the lack of investment in implementing the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. They noted a disappointing disparity between the commitment to Closing the Gap by the WA Government in their recent State Budget with what was handed down in New South Wales and Victoria.  However, it was acknowledged that there were Election commitments made before the Election which were honoured.

In her Keynote Address on Wednesday, NACCHO CEO Pat Turner AM stated that governments have been slow to implement their commitments and continue to struggle to fully grasp the depth of change required.

“Unchallenged, the apparatus of government is ill-designed to achieve our peoples’ rights,” Ms Turner said.

“The perpetual process of marginalisation and exclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from decisions that affect them should be top of mind for all of us.”

Read more here.

Pat Turner, NACCHO CEO.

2025 NAIDOC Award winners announced

The Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, has congratulated the winners of the 2025 NAIDOC Awards. The winners were announced at the National NAIDOC Awards Ceremony in Perth, ahead of NAIDOC Week celebrations across the country.

This year marks 50 years of NAIDOC Week celebrations, this year’s NAIDOC Week theme is The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy. The NAIDOC Awards recognise individual excellence and celebrate the strength, culture and leadership of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The National NAIDOC Committee considered more than 200 nominations before selecting the exceptional finalists and winners of the 2025 Awards:

Read more here.

Image source: Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association

Danila Dilba Health Service family support worker accepted into the IAHA Leading Our Ways program

Congratulations to Family Support Worker – Danggal Dably Amy McGregor who was accepted into the IAHA Leading Our Ways program earlier this year.

Leading Our Ways is a culturally centred and practical leadership program, co-designed by mob, for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce in the NT.

It is designed to deepen participants’ understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership through a culturally grounded approach.

Drawing on Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing; the program fosters the knowledge, skills and confidence to lead effectively within community and professional settings.

Amy is taking part in the program with 23 other participants from the NT. The group have two more workshops to go before their graduation in November.

“Self-reflection is a massive part of the framework and, at times, it can be quite confronting. IAHA have done an amazing job in creating a safe space where we feel comfortable to express ourselves and grow in our discomfort. I’m looking forward to expanding my knowledge on how to lead within my workplace and in my community – ‘Leadership is a practice, not a position’.”

Image source: Danila Dilba Health Service

Writing Indigenous futures – “boldly, fearlessly, and together”

In Croakey Health Media’s final report from the 4th International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference, held recently on Kaurna Country in Adelaide, Associate Professor Danielle Manton weaves together conference themes and highlights, to put a focus on leadership rooted in sovereignty, truth-telling, collective power, global solidarity and relationality.

“Relationality is not just a theme – it is a way forward,” she writes. “It is a call to honour Indigenous knowledge systems, to build bridges between worlds, and to centre relationships in every aspect of policy, health, and governance.”

This was the first Lowitja conference for Ivy Joy Manton, a proud Worimi, Kuku Yalanji, and Barunggam baby, who also shares her reflections and experiences in an article beneath her mother’s.

Also see this playlist of related interviews and vox pops.

Read it here.

Conference MC Daniel Bourchier, photo by Marie McInerney.

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.

NACCHO Sector News: 3 July 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.

NACCHO Celebrates NAIDOC Week 2025: Honouring Strength, Vision & Legacy in Community Health

As NAIDOC Week approaches, the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) embraces this year’s theme: The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy. This theme resonates deeply with our 146 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs), which all advance the health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

NAIDOC Week, observed from 6 to 13 July 2025, has been celebrating Indigenous voices, culture, and resilience for decades. Its longevity is a testament to the enduring strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their ongoing contributions to Australia’s identity.

 Empowering the Next Generation

“Our communities have always been defined by strength, guided by vision, and enriched by the legacy of our Elders,” said Donnella Mills, NACCHO Chair. “This NAIDOC Week, we honour the next generation who carry forward this legacy, shaping a future grounded in self-determination and cultural integrity.”

Our 146 ACCHOs and their 550 clinics are at the forefront of this movement, providing culturally safe care and working hard to strengthen their communities. They are instrumental in addressing the health gap and fostering environments in which the next generation can thrive.

Celebrating Community-Led Achievements

“Our young leaders are not just the future; they are the present, actively contributing to the health and well-being of our people,” said Pat Turner, CEO of NACCHO. “Their commitment to community-led initiatives ensures that our cultural practices and knowledge systems continue to flourish.”

A Call to Action

NACCHO calls upon all Australians to engage with and support our communities. By participating in NAIDOC Week events, learning about our cultures, and advocating for equitable health outcomes, we can all contribute to a more inclusive and just society.

“Let’s walk together, honour our past, embrace the present, and deliver a future where the health and wellbeing of our peoples are central to our national identity,” said Ms. Mills.

AMSANT welcomes government action on syphilis outbreak

The Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT) has welcomed the NT government’s decision to commission a dedicated Incident Management Team (IMT) to respond to the ongoing syphilis outbreak in the Territory.

AMSANT described the move as “a long overdue but critical step in addressing this public health issue” in a statement on Wednesday.

“Syphilis is a serious public health issue that has quietly worsened for more than a decade,” said Barbara Molanus, Sexual Health Coordinator at AMSANT.

“The decision to commission an IMT is a step in the right direction that can bring a renewed focus to community-wide testing.

“Testing is key to identifying cases early. By starting treatment straight away and treating partners, we can prevent further transmission and the potentially devastating effects of untreated syphilis on babies and people who go on to develop tertiary syphilis.”

Read the full article here.

NT Parliament. Image: Paul O’Leary.

‘Good medicine’: Elders playgroup brings joy to all ages

Each fortnight at the Marra Elders Playgroup, run in collaboration with Aboriginal Community Services, Playgroup SA and local cultural community centre Marra Dreaming, Elders and children come together for painting, cooking, storytelling, music and weaving activities.

“For our Elders, this exciting new program brings joy, purpose and connection, reducing isolation and celebrating their vital role in raising strong, culturally connected children,” said Graham Aitken, chief executive of Aboriginal Community Services, which runs the village.

“This is a true community approach where young and old come together to support one another, learn from each other and build strong, inclusive communities.”

Read more here.

The Marra Elders Playgroup is helping bring First Nations generations together. Credit: Hughes PR/AAPIMAGE

New research reveals the hidden harm of fluctuating ear disease in First Nations children

More than one third (35%) of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children experience fluctuating ear disease and 8% experience persistent ear trouble, according to new clinical findings from Hearing Australia. As NAIDOC Week kicks off this Sunday (6-13 July 2025), Hearing Australia is calling for urgent action to detect and treat ear disease early – giving children the best start in speech, learning and social development before school.

Middle ear infection (otitis media) in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children remains among the highest globally.

“It can often start in early infancy without any obvious symptoms which is why regular ear health checks are important,” says Yorta Yorta woman Kirralee Cross, Partnership Specialist at Hearing Australia.

“It can impact a child’s hearing over time and their ability to develop important listening, speech and language skills. Our findings are a powerful reminder that the fight against preventable hearing loss must remain a national priority, especially in a child’s early years.”

Read more here.

Image source: Hearing Australia

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.

Oral Health Online Yarning Circle

Oral health gaps affect our mob’s overall health – Join the conversation and be part of bridging the gap by informing the National Oral Health Plan (2025-2034).

Details:

Friday 4 July: 11AM-12.30PM: Register here.

Wednesday 16 July: 3.30PM-5PM: Register here.

Speakers:

  • Cas Nest (She/her) Endorsed Midwife, Managing Director, First Peoples Health Consulting, Co-founder and Managing Director, Gullidala
  • Nadine Blair, Director ‑ Policy, NACCHO