Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner registration reaches exciting milestone

04 Sep 2024

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) is excited to announce we have 1,000 registered Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners across the country.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners are clinical and cultural experts who build trust, practise cultural safety and bring an understanding which strengthens health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners work autonomously or as part of a multi-disciplinary team, providing a broad range of expertise in both primary and tertiary healthcare, from administering and supplying medications, to acute and chronic disease management and advocating for patients.

Bundjalung man David Follent, Chair of the National Association of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners (NAATSIHWP) said ‘the timing of this milestone couldn’t be more perfect, with the sector gathering for the NAATSIHWP Conference on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar country, in Perth’.

‘We are honouring these two critical workforces with the theme “Reaping the rewards of resilience”, and to reach 1,000 registered Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners is a testament to their tenacity,’ Mr Follent said.

Gomeroi woman Ms Jayde Fuller heads Ahpra’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Strategy Unit’s (HSU) and said ‘we congratulate their tireless commitment to providing healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and give our commitment to help make their workplace safer’.

‘The National Scheme is implementing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Cultural Safety Strategy 2020-2025 by taking a strategic approach to dismantling all forms of racism, systemic, institutional and interpersonal. We are informed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of being, knowing and doing and continue to build on the foundations of those who have come before us,’ Ms Fuller said.

Bardi and Jabirr Jabirr woman Ms Iris Raye is Chair of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practice Board of Australia, which supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners.

‘This milestone gives us a moment to pause and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners for their incredible sacrifices to care for our families and communities’ health and wellbeing,’ Ms Raye said.

‘To honour our trailblazers who we stand on their shoulders. To recognise our key stakeholders and allies who champion this profession.

‘Together we rise to the challenges for better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

‘We empower mob to make them feel welcome, safe and comfortable when using health services and to make self-determined decisions about our health and wellbeing. We are critical to closing the gap in healthcare disparities.

‘Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities’ safety is our priority. The Board is working collectively and collaboratively with the National Scheme and key stakeholders to eliminate racism and create culturally safe healthcare.’

‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners are a unique profession founded on traditional values, complemented by modern medicine.’ - Ms Iris Raye, Chair, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practice Board of Australia 

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