Aboriginal health in Aboriginal hands
Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) provide primary health care services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. These organisations came into being through the determination of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to have power and control over their own social and emotional wellbeing.
Within Australia, there are over 140 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services.
ACCHOs are controlled by the communities where they are situated. They are set up to respond to the needs of those communities. They focus on holistic, culturally safe, comprehensive services in which local engagement is a key component. More than half of ACCHO employees are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, creating a more culturally responsive and safe service for communities.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can find their local ACCHO by visiting the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation map.
Mainstream services in Australia can and must ensure that Aboriginal Community Controlled organisations have representation at any discussion that involves the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This includes policy and advocacy discussions, round table events, funding decisions, and much more.