$9.9 million will be invested into existing on-Country birthing programs to extend their services for another 12 months, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health Ged Kearney announced on Tuesday.

Speaking at the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) 2024 Members' Conference in Canberra, Ms Kearney said "the evidence is clear. First Nations-led Birthing on Country models of care work".

Federal governments have invested tens of millions in birthing on country through packages and into direct projects in recent years.

This includes $32 million over four years (2021-22 to 2024-25) via the Healthy Mums, Healthy Bubs Package for Indigenous mothers, babies and maternal workforce, $22.5 million for a dedicated Birthing on Country Centre at Wamina Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation on the NSW South Coast - committed to in the 2022-23 October budget, and $6 million for Djäkamirr Birthing on Country Project in Galiwin'ku - announced in June.

In June, then-Assistant Minister for Indigenous health, now Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, said "we know that Birthing on Country contributes to better health outcomes for First Nations mothers and babies, including a 50% reduction in preterm birth rates".

"Djäkamirr are essential to make sure the Yolŋu cultural ways are passed to the next generation of pregnant Yolŋu women," Minister McCarthy said.

Speaking on Tuesday, Ms Kearney said the North East Arnhem Land project was a "collaboration of western and Yolŋu knowledge and culture…underpinned by genuine cultural recognition".

"Our government knows we can use this same approach to improve First Nations people's health at all stages of life," the Assistant Minister said.

"This is why I'm proud to announce this morning that the Albanese Labor Government will invest $9.9 million to extend all existing birthing on Country programs for an additional 12 months."

Addressing NACCHO members, Ms Kearney referenced the small percentage increase (88.8 per cent in 2017 to 89.6 in 2021, nationally) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies born at a healthy birthweight.

Target 2 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap identifies an aimed increase to 91 per cent by 2031.

While on-target to be reached, Ms Kearney said at present pre-term birth rates among Indigenous mothers and child "is still far too high".

"The only way to ensure we continue to improve outcomes is by listening to First Nations peoples and following the path they have set for us", she said, later citing the Productivity Commission's July 2024 Annual Data Compilation Report inclusions supporting culturally responsive pregnancy care.

"It's (birthing on Country) a game-changing shift in our approach to maternal health, that is effective in urban, regional or remote settings," the Assistant Minister said.

"A strong First Nations health workforce, as well as partnerships between primary care services and hospitals, are essential to successful Birthing on Country models of care.

"First Nations women should feel comfortable and not discriminated against when they see health professionals."

In a post to social media, Ms Kearney wrote "Indigenous women often face additional challenges during pregnancy, including some navigating long-distance travel from their families, communities and supports to source healthcare", later reflecting on a recent trip to visited the Djäkamirr Birthing on Country Project.

"There I learnt how First Nations-led birthing on Country models are helping women to attend more check-ups during pregnancy, become more likely to quit smoking, have a 50% reduced likelihood of pre-term birth, and are more likely to fully breastfeed," she wrote.

Speaking on Monday, Ms Kearney also referenced the Government's budget commitments to free menstrual hygiene products in remote communities - an initiative NACCHO is engaged with, to strengthen the First Nations health workforce and pay increases for Aged Care workers.

The Assistant Minister expressed her thanks to NACCHO members for "your commitment to better health and wellbeing outcomes for all First Nations people".