IAHA MEDIA RELEASE – ACT Leads the Nation with Budget Investment in Indigenous Allied Health Academy
Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA) welcomes the ACT Government’s commitment in the 2026–27 Budget to co-invest in the IAHA ACT Health Academy — a significant program building the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce pipeline in the ACT.
The ACT Government has announced $1.873 million over four years from 2026–27 to sustain the IAHA ACT Health Academy program, supporting 30 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander high school students to undertake an Australian School-based Apprenticeship Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance annually in partnership with the Canberra Institute of Technology.
IAHA Chief Executive Officer Donna Murray said the investment reflects a genuine understanding of the critical need for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, wellbeing, and community services workforce across the ACT and surrounding regions. Our workforce plays a vital role in improving long-term health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and communities.
“The IAHA ACT Health Academy creates culturally safe and meaningful pathways into health-related careers for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, while keeping them connected to culture and community. This ACT Government investment is a co-contribution that helps sustain a highly successful program, and we are grateful for the Territory’s ongoing partnership and commitment in growing our workforce. This makes the ACT the first and only state or territory government among our four operating jurisdictions to provide direct co-investment alongside the Commonwealth to support their future local workforce.
The Academy is a whole-of-government effort. Commonwealth investment remains essential, and we call on all governments to continue working with IAHA to ensure long-term, sustainable funding for this program in the ACT and across jurisdictions.”
— Donna Murray, Chief Executive Officer, IAHA
The IAHA National Health Academy Program delivers in five locations nationally and supports self-determination through workforce development. It directly contributes to Closing the Gap Priority Reform 2 — building the community-controlled sector — creating a pipeline of graduates well positioned to work within Government and the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health sector to deliver culturally safe, community-led health services.
To date the program has graduated 235 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people with their Certificate III and Year 12 qualifications, achieving retention, completion and employment rates well above national averages, for which it was recognised as the Industry Collaboration of the Year at the 2024 National Training Awards.
It’s also demonstrated itself as an essential alternate pathway to university. 2025 ACT graduate and current Bachelor of Occupational Therapy student at the University of Canberra, Birri Gubba woman Tali Adams, said of the pathway.
“Indigenous Allied Health Australia was a huge help – they really wanted to see me succeed. They set up appointments for me to talk to people at universities and would accompany me for these meetings. I got into UC through an Indigenous Health Scholarship, administered by IAHA.”
IAHA looks forward to continued collaboration with the ACT Government and the Canberra Institute of Technology to deliver the Health Academy in 2026-2027 and beyond, and to building on this investment to strengthen the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce across the ACT.
IAHA continues to advocate and assert the need for secure and long-term Government funding to ensure the Academy can be delivered at scale and with confidence for participating students, employers and partner institutions.
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Media enquiries
Paul Gibson
Chief Operating Officer
Indigenous Allied Health Australia
(02) 6285 1010
Notes to editors
About the IAHA Health Academy: The IAHA Health Academy provides structured and supported pathways into the allied health sector for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and learners. Participants undertake a Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance at CIT alongside an Australian School-based Apprenticeship, gaining practical skills, formal qualifications and employment pathways while remaining connected to culture and community, and completing year 12.
About IAHA: Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA) is the national peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health workforce development. IAHA works to grow and support a skilled, culturally capable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health workforce to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for communities.
ACT Budget reference: ACT Government, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Budget Statement 2026–27, p. 8.
