The Morrison Government will provide an additional $33 million to strengthen primary health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The funding, to be provided over three years, will help to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can access culturally appropriate primary health care, when and where they need it.

Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) and other eligible providers will be able to apply for grants, to improve health outcomes in the communities who need it most.

As well as delivering better, more effective health care, the grants will empower Indigenous people and communities to better manage their own health.

Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said the Morrison Government is providing this funding to ensure a further step towards closing the gap on health, especially by reducing preventable disease and hospitalisation.

“The grant opportunity will be advertised on Grant Connect from mid-July, remaining open for eight weeks,” Mr Entsch said.

“Preference will be given to applications filling gaps in existing primary health services due to unmet health needs or high population growth.

“The expansion grants are part of the government’s ongoing reforms to Indigenous primary health care.
“We are improving the availability and clinical effectiveness of health services, and supporting sustainable, long term access to services that meet people’s real health needs.”

The Morrison Government last November announced an additional $90 million for the Indigenous Australians’ Health Programme.

This is already being invested through the program’s funding model, which commenced on 1 July 2020.

Key stakeholders, including the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation and the Australian Medical Association, were closely involved in developing the revised funding model.

Streamlined processes and three-year funding agreements will provide certainty around health workforce continuity and planning, and reduce the administrative burden on health services.