After a decade of shared advocacy, the two organisations have signed their third MoU.
The RACGP and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation have signed their third memorandum of understanding to jointly advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.
Shared advocacy for effective, culturally safe and clinically appropriate care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities is at the heart of the MoU.
NACCHO CEO Pat Turner reaffirmed the significance of the partnership in strengthening Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healthcare.
“Renewing our collaboration with the RACGP reinforces our commitment to strengthening healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” she said.
“For over a decade, this alliance has driven advocacy, informed policy, and supported high-quality, community-led care through our ACCHOs.
“This agreement highlights the critical role of ACCHOs in delivering culturally safe, comprehensive care. It also underscores the need for genuine cooperation that prioritises equity, self-determination, and the elimination of racism in healthcare.
“We look forward to continuing our partnership with the RACGP to drive systemic change, shape policies, and create healthier communities.”
RACGP Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Faculty chair Dr Karen Nicholls said:
“Our relationship with NACCHO is very important to the RACGP. Together we span the whole of primary care.
“We signed our first MoU with NACCHO in 2014. Together NACCHO and the RACGP have supported Closing the Gap reform, we’ve advocated for increased funding for ACCHOs, and for a culturally safe and accessible healthcare system that is free from racism.
“We also develop key resources such as the national guide to preventive healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, which is used in general practices and ACCHOs across the country.
Dr Nicholls said the RACGP’s 2024 Health of the Nation report revealed that the most satisfied GPs with the best work-life balance work in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health services, including ACCHOs.
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“These are the things we celebrate together,” she said.
“We also work in partnership through our NACCHO-RACGP Partnership Project team. I am delighted that this team will continue their important work to implement the National Guide and support high-quality health checks for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”
NACCHO Board Chair Donnella Mills emphasised the importance of keeping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health at the forefront of national healthcare priorities.
“Healthcare for our people is about more than treatment—it is about respect, self-determination, and ensuring our voices shape the services designed for us,” she said.
“This MoU strengthens our ability to work alongside RACGP to advocate for an equitable and culturally safe healthcare system.
“Through this partnership, we co-design resources, policies, and programs that reflect our communities’ needs. It is a commitment to real, lasting change, ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led solutions remain central to healthcare reform.
“We must continue to challenge structural barriers and prioritise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health in all decision-making. Our collaboration with RACGP is a powerful step in delivering care that respects our culture, knowledge, and lived experiences.”
