The Australian Government is enhancing First Nations health infrastructure, making available $10 million for repairs, maintenance and upgrades to health clinics and infrastructure across Australia.
The latest round of grants to eligible Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS), through the Service Maintenance Program (SMP), will enhance the safety of, and access to primary health care—particularly in remote and very remote communities.
It means Indigenous Australians will have better access to high quality, fit for purpose, culturally appropriate health care.
Improvements to accommodation will also help to attract and retain clinical staff in communities across Australia.
The SMP is a partnership through the Australian Government’s Indigenous Australians’ Health Programme, co-designed with the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) working with the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service (ACCHS) sector.
Applications opened this week on 16 March 2023 and close on 27 April 2023.
More information about the SMP grant opportunity can be found on GrantConnect.
Quotes attributable to Senator McCarthy:
“The existing stock of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service infrastructure is 20-40 years old and is in significant need of repair, reconstruction or enhancement.”
“This funding means First Nations communities will have better access to quality healthcare in facilities which are fit for purpose and culturally appropriate.”
“The Albanese Government is working every day to Close the Gap and funding these improvements will reduce health disparities and turn the tide on Indigenous health outcomes to create stronger, healthier communities.”
“These important grants are in addition to a game changing $120 million investment in major capital works at community‑controlled organisations, announced by our Government at the last Joint Council On Closing The Gap.”
Quotes attributable to Pat Turner, CEO, NACCHO:
“This funding supports the critical role that ACCHOs play and the contribution they make every day in improving health outcomes for our people.”
“I am pleased to see that this funding is being delivered in line with the Priority Reforms in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, where programs and services are developed in genuine partnerships with our people and funding is invested to build the Aboriginal community-controlled sector.”
“The infrastructure funding need in our sector remains a critical pressure-point and NACCHO will continue to advocate for increased funding for our sector.”