Indigenous Health Workforce Traineeships program

About the program

The Indigenous Health Workforce Traineeships (IHWT) program started in 2020–21 and is funded until 2026-27.

The program aims to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health through building the capacity of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) to employ a skilled workforce and provide culturally appropriate health care to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

Goals

The IHWT program aims to:

• increase the number of skilled Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people working in the primary health care sector
• create culturally supportive and viable learning and career pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• build the capacity of ACCHSs to provide culturally appropriate care.

Why this is important

This initiative supports the:

• National Agreement on Closing the Gap 2020
• National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2021-2031 
• National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce Strategic Framework and Implementation Plan 2021-2031 
• National Skills Agreement 
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged Care Framework 
• Australia's Disability Strategy

Who we work with

The IHWT program is administered by 7 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health organisations. These organisations: 

• work with ACCHSs in their state or territory 
• support the ACCHSs to provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainees to gain a qualification and to get the skills and experience they need to provide comprehensive primary care that meets the health needs of the community. 

Contact