Priority 2: Equitable funding opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce Organisations

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce organisations individually and collectively provide significant return on investment and national leadership within the sector. However, there has been a lack of equitable, coordinated, sustainable and long-term investment from successive governments, which constrains growth, impact and success.

This is representative of the failure of governments and departments to recognise and value the uniqueness of expertise required in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce development, the activities that IAHA undertake, and the outcomes and achievements made for over 15 years. If the Commonwealth is truly committed to better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, they need to invest appropriately in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce organisations and our ability to grow, develop and empower the workforce to deliver positive, transformational change.

IAHA calls for increased investment in the growth and development of the workforce, including longer term operational funding agreements with appropriate growth and indexation, and ongoing access to discrete project funds for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce organisations.

Priority 3: Governmental reform to enact National Agreement on Closing the Gap Priority Reforms

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership is fundamental to achieving the intent behind the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. All governments must commit to and uphold the priority reforms under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, to respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander self-determined, led and governed priorities and to create a future where all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people thrive.

Supporting more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people into the allied health workforce contributes to a wide range of social, cultural, health and wellbeing priorities and has direct and indirect contributions to each of the targets under the agreement. Workforce development – which is featured in all sector strengthening plans – is often approached in a fragmented manner but should be a shared priority and commitment which transcends governments and portfolio areas. It’s time for all governments to honour the priority reforms, empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership to take precedence underpinned by our own self-determination, by proactively identifying and pursuing opportunities to work differently. Full implementation of the recommendations from the Productivity Commission’s Review of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap – including to rethink mainstream government systems and culture – provides guidance for how this could be achieved in practice.

IAHA calls for governments, Ministers, and bureaucrats to reform ways of working to give life to the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations to progress the work.

Priority 4: Coordinated investment in culturally safe, place-based health education and training pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and employment and workforce models

Culturally safe, place-based health education and training programs are a mechanism to ensure enough Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students’ study and complete health qualifications to meet future needs, regionally and nationally.

The IAHA National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Academy is an example of innovation and excellence. The program provides Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainees an opportunity to develop their work readiness, knowledge and skills in a supportive and culturally responsive environment. Students obtain a nationally recognised qualification and are empowered to feel confident to pursue their pathway towards a career in health including the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health context. The IAHA National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Academy has proven to be a successful model, currently operating across five regions. In addition to recognition through the National Training Awards as the Industry Collaboration of the Year, the programs achievements have exceeded all national benchmarks in student retention, completion and transition into employment. Individual stories further demonstrate the impact on individuals and families, however inequitable access to the program and ability for sustainable growth remain a significant concern, as does the absence of responsive pathways for other cohorts. Coordinated strategies to develop employment and workforce models – particularly in rural and remote Australia – is needed to support transition to employment and to keep people well, on Country, and to ensure a sustainable healthcare system.

IAHA calls for the government to increase access to successful workforce program through ongoing cross-portfolio and cross-jurisdictional investment, in the existing sites and for the expansion to new locations through innovation in models.

Priority 5: Implementation and monitoring of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People

IAHA affirms the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to access culturally safe and responsive systems, including health care, that is available, affordable, acceptable, and appropriate.

The United Nations Declarations on the Rights on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) sets out an approach, grounded in Indigenous self-determination and human rights. Yet, the implementation in Australia has lacked support and commitment from all levels of government. Health, education, and employment are all fundamental human rights and the UNDRIP is key for facilitating Indigenous health governance and as a mechanism for better outcomes, centred in culture and human rights.

IAHA calls for the UNDRIP to be respected and used to guide the implementation of the Priority Reforms under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

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