About the Health Plan
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2021–2031 changes the way governments work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to achieve better health outcomes. Centred in culture, the Health Plan focuses on 12 key priorities to provide the best opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to live long, healthy lives. The Health Plan aims to support the health system to provide care that is prevention-focused, culturally safe, responsive, equitable and free of racism.
The Health Plan is a national document that all states and territories have agreed to. This means that governments at all levels will be jointly accountable for:
- implementing the plan
- making sure it achieves progress on its priorities and objectives.
Why it is important
The Health Plan sets the policy direction for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing, guiding the development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health policies, programs and initiatives over the next 10 years. The Health Plan is an Australian policy representing government’s ongoing commitment to improving health outcomes for First Nations people.
The plan aligns with the National Agreement on Closing the Gap (National Agreement) and is the first national health document to address the Priority Reforms. It embeds self-determination, partnership and shared decision making as the best way to close the gap in health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The next step for the plan is to carry the commitment to self-determination and partnership in all aspects of implementation, governance and accountability.
Governance and Accountability
The Health Plan has some additional components beyond listing priorities and objectives that will assist implementors and partners to support this work.
Under the Health Plan, the department has established the First Nations Health Governance Group (FNHGG). The FNHGG is a highly skilled and experience group of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector experts who will share decision making with the department, embedding expert First Nations perspectives in the department’s policy design, delivery and advice to government.
To ensure that the government and mainstream system is accountable to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities and sector, an Accountability Framework is being developed under guidance from the FNHGG. It is anticipated the Accountability Framework will be finalised by June 2025.
Consultation
Developed in true partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the Health Plan reflects the priorities of partners and embeds Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health perspectives. Community perspectives were also gained through the My Life My Lead community engagement process. This approach recognises the strengths of culture as a protective influence on physical, social and emotional wellbeing.
The Health Plan shows what we can achieve when co-design is based on empowerment, trust and mutual respect.
Contact
Please feel free to contact us with questions or comments on the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2021-2031 at Indigenouspolicy@health.gov.au