Eligible Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) can apply for a share of $180 million in Federal Government funding aimed at expanding and upgrading health infrastructure across Australia.
The third round of the Closing the Gap Major Capital Works Program will fund new health facilities, upgrades, repairs and maintenance to existing clinical buildings, as well as housing for health professionals in eligible rural and remote communities, the government said in a statement on Wednesday.
It is intended to improve access to culturally safe healthcare for First Nations people while supporting the recruitment and retention of health workers.
Co-designed by the Federal Government and the National Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), the projects are intended to reflect priorities identified by ACCHOs and their communities.
NACCHO chief executive Dr Dawn Casey said investment in health infrastructure directly contributed to ACCHOs being able to provide culturally safe care.
"Health infrastructure is health care. With the right clinic, an ACCHO can expand services, grow its workforce and provide culturally safe care closer to home," she said.
Dr Casey said the funding puts money behind the infrastructure priorities ACCHOs have outlined, from new clinics to urgent repairs.
"In eligible rural and remote locations, it will also fund staff housing that helps services recruit and retain health professionals," she said.
"Community-controlled health infrastructure must be shaped by the communities and services that will use it. Priority Reform Two requires exactly that: communities identify what is needed, ACCHOs lead the response and government investment follows."
Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy said ACCHOs played a critical role, particularly in remote Australia.
"This funding will help strengthen the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector by supporting upgrades, repairs and new builds," she said.
"This is a significant investment designed in partnership with NACCHO, in line with Closing the Gap Priority Reforms."
The Federal Government argued the two previous funding rounds have supported the expansion and renewal of First Nations health infrastructure nationwide, and formed part of the Commonwealth's commitment to Closing the Gap.
"By working in partnership with NACCHO, we are ensuring our funding will go to projects which deliver positive outcomes for First Nations people and communities," Health Minister Mark Butler said.
"All Australians deserve high-quality health care regardless of where they call home, with this funding to support First Nations health services in urban, regional, rural and remote areas."
According to the government, completed projects from earlier rounds have reported an average 15 per cent increase in health services delivered to patients and a 40 per cent increase in staffing levels compared to previous years.
Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health Rebecca White said they demonstrated the value of investing in community-controlled health infrastructure.
"This funding will deliver culturally safe and fit-for-purpose health infrastructure for First Nations people," she said.
"In many remote communities, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services are the only health service available, making investments like this critical to delivering safe and ongoing care."
