NACCHO Sector News: 2 April 2025

• Closing the Gap Assembly
• First Nations-led campaign promotes self-collection cervical screening
• Racism in healthcare is unacceptable says RACGP
• New Good Medicine Better Health module: Talk, Test, Protect
• Interim findings highlight positive impact of AHCWA’s Social and Emotional Wellbeing Model of Service
• Sector Jobs
• Events and training

The NACCHO Sector News is a platform we use to showcase the important work being done in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, focusing on the work of NACCHO, NACCHO members and NACCHO affiliates.

We also share a curated selection of news stories that are of likely interest to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector, broadly.

Closing the Gap Assembly

This week, more than 150 leaders from across the country have come together to strengthen our collective efforts to Close the Gap.

Yesterday’s discussions were honest and powerful — shining a light on what’s working, and what still isn’t, when it comes to how governments and mainstream institutions engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Because the gap we’re trying to close isn’t just about life outcomes — it’s also about the distance between systems and communities. A gap between the way governments operate and what our communities actually need.

That gap needs attention too.

Learn more here.

Have your voice heard by filling out a 10-minute survey or making a submission by 16 April, here.

First Nations-led campaign promotes self-collection cervical screening

Australia has launched its first national cervical screening campaign in over two decades, aiming to increase participation rates with a new self-collection testing option.

The “Own It” campaign encourages individuals to take their own swab, providing a private and accessible alternative to traditional clinician-collected tests. With $10.2 million in funding, the initiative targets under-screened communities and will run across television, radio, and online platforms.

Dr. Dawn Casey, Deputy CEO of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), emphasised the significance of the campaign for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

“I think it’s really important to have culturally appropriate campaigns,”

“The work that Dr. Lisa Whop did on cervical cancer and self-testing was really important, and this campaign builds on that. It strongly promotes self-collection and addresses concerns around privacy and comfort,” she said.

Read the full article here.

Racism in healthcare is unacceptable says RACGP

The Royal Australian College of GPs has outlined commitments to step towards eliminating racism in Australia’s healthcare system in a new position released today on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

“We recognise the unique challenges and discrimination faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their leadership in efforts to eliminate racism, and that truth telling is a fundamental step in eliminating racism…” said RACGP President Dr Michael Wright.

“The RACGP’s updated position on racism outlines our commitments to address it, including implementing our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural and Health Training Framework, which embeds Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values and ways of being and doing in GP education and training across Australia.”

RACGP Board Chair Dr Sian Goodson said racism is an urgent national health priority.

”… I also note our important and longstanding partnership with the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO). Together, we jointly advocate for a culturally safe and accessible healthcare system that is free from racism, and develop key recourses, including the the NACCHO-RACGP National guide to preventive healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people which includes a chapter on the health impacts of racism.”

Read the media release in full here.

New Good Medicine Better Health module: Talk, Test, Protect

Complete the latest Good Medicine Better Health module to gain a better understanding of gonorrhoea – including testing, prevention and contact tracing.

The National Association of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health Workers has endorsed the activity with 1 CPD hour.

Start learning today.

Interim findings highlight positive impact of AHCWA’s Social and Emotional Wellbeing Model of Service

A recent evaluation of Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia’s Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) Model of Service has highlighted positive impacts in supporting health outcomes for Aboriginal people and communities. This evaluation was undertaken by researchers Patricia Dudgeon, Rama Putu Agung-Igusti, and Emma Carlin from the School of Indigenous Studies University of WA and the University of WA, and Broome Rural Clinical School Division.

SEWB is a holistic concept encompassing the importance of connection to land, culture, spirituality, and ancestry, forming the foundation of physical and mental health for Aboriginal Australians. The Mental Health Commission funded AHCWA to undertake a three-year pilot project to support Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services across WA. The SEWB Model of Service has embedded each site with a team encompassing seven positions with cultural and clinical expertise.

Learn more here.

Sector Jobs – you can see sector job listings on the NACCHO website here.

Advertising Jobs – to advertise a job vacancy click here to go to the NACCHO website current job listings webpage. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find a Post A Job form. You can complete this form with your job vacancy details – it will then be approved for posting and go live on the NACCHO website.

Governance Workshops for ACCHOs

Register now for the NACCHO Governance Workshops 2025.

Sydney is up next on Tuesday 15 April and Wednesday 16 April. 

NACCHO’s Governance Workshops are designed for people working in member ACCHOs and run by legal and other experts in the field. 

The workshops cover: 

• Principles of good governance.  

• Managing conflicts of interest. 

• Managing risk (e.g. contract execution, etc.). 

• Delegation of powers. 

• Finance for Boards. 

• Structure and role of boards and sub-committees; and 
• Governance documents.