National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation

National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation
Name	National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation
Abbreviation	NACCHO
Formation	1991
Type	Peak body
Headquarters	Canberra
Region served	Australia
Membership	Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services

National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation is the national peak body representing Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services across Australia, formed to coordinate responses to Indigenous health inequities. It works with federal and state agencies such as the Australian Government, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Department of Health and Aged Care (Australia), and collaborates with research bodies like the Lowitja Institute and universities including the University of Melbourne and Australian National University. NACCHO engages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders, communities, and organisations including the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission, National Aboriginal Conference, and local ACCHSs to deliver culturally appropriate primary health care.

History

NACCHO was established in 1991 following advocacy from regional bodies such as the Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia, Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory, and the First Nations Health and Wellbeing Council (NSW) after policy reforms around the National Aboriginal Health Strategy and the collapse of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission. Early campaigns interacted with inquiries such as the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody and public health reports by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and the King Island Aboriginal Health Service examples influenced service models. Over time NACCHO contributed to national initiatives like the Close the Gap campaign and the development of frameworks such as the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan.

Structure and Governance

The organisation operates through a national board of delegates nominated by state and territory affiliates including the Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia, Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council, and the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory. Governance aligns with incorporation laws like the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and reporting obligations to the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. Executive leadership liaises with advisers from institutions including the Lowitja Institute, the National Health and Medical Research Council, and legal services such as the Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT). Annual general meetings attract delegates from community-controlled services, representatives from the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department, and allied organisations including Medicines Australia.

Functions and Services

NACCHO provides policy development, workforce support, program coordination, and cultural governance advice to over 140 member Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) like the Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative and Redfern Aboriginal Medical Service. It supports programs addressing chronic disease management modeled on evidence from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, maternal and child health initiatives reminiscent of work by the Menzies School of Health Research, and mental health services aligned with recommendations from the National Mental Health Commission. NACCHO advances workforce training through partnerships with vocational providers such as TAFE NSW, universities like the University of Sydney, and professional bodies such as the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.

Funding and Partnerships

Funding streams include grants and contracts from the Australian Government, state and territory health departments including the Queensland Health and Victoria Department of Health, philanthropic support from entities like the Lowitja Institute and private foundations, and program funding administered through partnerships with the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Australian Research Council. NACCHO negotiates service agreements with agencies such as the Department of Health and Aged Care (Australia), participates in intergovernmental forums including the Council of Australian Governments processes, and forms research collaborations with universities like the University of Western Australia and institutes such as the Menzies School of Health Research.

Advocacy and Policy Impact

NACCHO has influenced national policy debates on Indigenous health through contributions to inquiries like the Productivity Commission reports, submissions to the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs, and public campaigns including Close the Gap. It advocates for culturally safe practice standards reflected in the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan and for workforce policy changes informed by the National Indigenous Australian Agency and reports from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. NACCHO’s policy work intersects with health equity frameworks advanced by the World Health Organization and legal instruments such as the Racial Discrimination Act 1975.

Membership and Affiliates

Members consist of community-controlled services across states and territories, including affiliates like the Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia, Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre, Darwin Aboriginal Health Service, Koori Mail partners for communication, and peak bodies such as the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation and the Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia. NACCHO’s network connects with academic partners including the Lowitja Institute, research centres like the Menzies School of Health Research, and non-government organisations such as Oxfam Australia on social determinants initiatives.

Criticism and Challenges

Critics point to funding instability linked to federal budget cycles overseen by the Australian Treasury, service delivery constraints in remote regions like the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara lands, workforce shortages highlighted by the Australian Medical Association, and measurement challenges in reporting to agencies such as the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Debates involve competing priorities between community-controlled models and mainstream services exemplified in discussions with the Department of Health and Aged Care (Australia) and scrutiny from parliamentary inquiries like the Senate Select Committee on Regional Australia. Operational challenges include scaling culturally secure services amid policy shifts prompted by intergovernmental forums such as the Council of Australian Governments.

Category:Indigenous Australian health