** Acknowledgements omitted**
I was asked to talk about our government’s commitment to self-determined health care solutions for First Nations communities.
I have heard from many ACCHOs [Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations] across the country that those solutions start with a health workforce that is representative, inclusive and committed to culturally safe care.
Where every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person has access to culturally and clinically safe health care and support, when and where they need it.
Which is only possible when governments work in genuine partnership and have shared decision-making with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities and organisations.
As we know now, the gap in health services and health outcomes won’t close – or even reduce – until First Nations people have access to services and health professionals they trust.
Places and people they will turn to for health advice and treatment, before they get to a crisis point.
ACCHOs are leading the way, delivering care responsive to local circumstances.
The scope and quality of care is constantly improving.
Well done to everyone involved in that upward curve, including AH and MRC [Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council].
But our goal must be to improve the way our whole health system presents to and responds to First Nations people.
And First Nations health workers, nurses, doctors, allied health professionals – and support staff – can also play a critical role in this.
Our government continues to be guided by the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce Strategic Framework and Implementation Plan.
The workforce plan was co-designed in genuine partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
It is strengths-based, preventive, and holistic.
The workforce plan aims to ensure First Nations people are fully represented in the national health workforce by 2031.
The Australian Government funds a range of First Nations health workforce initiatives including scholarships, traineeships, and education and training programs.
The government is continuing to fund the 4 peak Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce Organisations, with $57 million over the next 4 years.
These grant agreements were co-designed with the health workforce organisations to ensure self-determination whilst delivering on government priorities.
And fostering First Nations leadership across the health system.
We believe supporting these Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led organisations is one important step in improving health outcomes for First Nations peoples.
Another step in improving outcomes is through traineeship programs to support recruitment of First Nations people undertaking health qualifications.
The Indigenous Health Workforce Traineeship program, which is delivered by NACCHO [National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation] affiliates around Australia including AH and MRC in NSW, is achieving successful outcomes, with more than 200 trainees enrolled and 52 completions from January 2025 to May 2026.
And the First Nations Health Worker Traineeship program delivered by NACCHO.
Which is proving to be extremely successful.
It began 3 years ago, with a target of training 500 new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers and health practitioners.
As of June this year, there has been more than 600 enrolments and 208 confirmed completions in the program.
It’s great for trainees, who are receiving wrap-around support from Aboriginal Community Controlled Health RTOs [registered training organisations].
And it’s great for First Nations people, increasing access to culturally appropriate and holistic care.
We are proud that under our government, we have seen the transition of the Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme and the Indigenous Health Scholarship Program transition from administration by non-Indigenous providers, to being managed by Indigenous Allied Health Australia, a First Nations-led organisation.
These scholarship programs aim to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who are studying an entry-level health qualification, through a university, TAFE, Aboriginal Community Controlled RTO or equivalent organisation.
Students are financially supported, and also receive culturally safe and responsive support and mentoring from IAHA [Indigenous Allied Health Australia].
Helping them to achieve graduation and begin a career in health across many disciplines including medicine, nursing, midwifery and allied health.
Good health care also requires good facilities.
Existing infrastructure used by Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services is 20 to 40 years old.
So we are also funding infrastructure project to ensure health facilities are fit for purpose and culturally safe.
In February we announced an extra $144 million for improving ACCHO infrastructure, building on more than 100 projects already delivered or underway.
I am pleased to announce the Closing the Gap Major Capital Works Program Round 3 Grant Opportunity is open with access to up to $180 million in infrastructure funding over 2026–27 and 2027–28.
Applications will close on 7 September 2026, and I look forward to seeing the outcomes of this grant round and the further work we can do with you to improve ACCHO infrastructure.
Modern and culturally safe facilities, including staff accommodation in some remote locations, designed and implemented in partnership with First Nations stakeholders to meet the needs of their communities is vital.
And the results speak for themselves.
Early analysis indicates an average 40 per cent increase in staffing levels and a 15 per cent increase in episodes of care across 16 infrastructure projects completed since 2022.
It’s also really important that ACCHOs receive the right operational support.
Our government is providing $142 million to 34 ACCHOs across New South Wales this financial year, to deliver comprehensive primary health care.
And we’re focused on making it easier for you to do your job.
In July last year we introduced four-year rolling funding – providing the certainty you need to employ staff and allocate resources.
And we’re re-designing health programs in partnership with your organisations, so they can be more effective for First Nations people.
That process takes time but will be completed, across the nation, over the next 12 to 18 months.
We are also increasing ACCHOs’ involvement in mental health and suicide prevention.
We recognise that lasting change and better outcomes will come when services reflect local First Nations priorities, cultures and strengths.
An example is the Culture Care Connect Program.
It places community control and self-determination at the centre of service delivery, with ACCHOs leading local planning, coordination and delivery of suicide prevention and aftercare services.
This will build a sustainable First Nations mental health workforce, and embed strong cultural and clinical governance in mental health care services.
First Nations people also experience disability at around twice the rate of the broader population and often face additional barriers to accessing support.
Community-controlled services are uniquely positioned to deliver culturally safe and inclusive service.
Supporting participation and connection not just to health care but to culture, community, and country.
The same principles apply to aged care, and we are working with a number of NSW ACCHOs to strengthen their capacity to deliver culturally safe aged care services.
It’s really important that Elders can access care through trusted organisations that understand them, their culture and their community.
Before I finish I would like to talk to you all about women’s health.
You might be aware that the Australian Government has been delivering a significant women’s health package to support access, affordability and importantly address inequity that has occurred for women’s health needs.
I am chairing a new Ministerial Expert Panel on Women’s Health, which is initially focusing on cardiovascular health.
The numbers for illness and death among women, and particularly First Nations women is sobering.
We are fortunate to be joined by Aunty Vicki Wade on our panel, we have had a great yarning circle at a recent consumer roundtable and NACCHO have spoken to us about the enormous impact of Acute Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease.
I want to put the call out to all of you today – what is working and what are the barriers for First Nations women to get what they need.
ACCHOs are critical to supporting place-based programs and care in communities, to provide trusted advice on women’s health.
And that is what ACCHOs are.
Trusted organisations.
Their role has never been larger or more important – in urban, rural or remote areas.
Because we know now, it’s indisputable – many First Nations people don’t feel comfortable seeking health care from mainstream health services.
And unless they do feel comfortable, the sad truth is they will continue to fall behind other Australians in terms of health care and health outcomes.
Culturally safe care. A strong First Nations health workforce. Self-determination in health services.
These are no longer just concepts.
Moving ahead in partnership, here in New South Wales and across the nation, with other key stakeholders, we are working with you to make them reality.
Once again, well done to AH and MRC for organising this conference to share experience and knowledge and to all of you for the work you do, every day.
Thank you.