Ten Tasmanian Aboriginal healthcare students have been announced as recipients of the Ida West Health Scholarship in recognition of their commitment to community and caring for others.

The scholarship, named after Elder and author Aunty Ida West, provides financial assistance to Tasmanian Aboriginal students completing a formal qualification at university or vocational education in a health and or human services related field.

Aunty Ida was a longtime campaigner and advocate for Aboriginal people, and worked closely with both politicians and government officials before passing away in September 2003 after a long illness.

She is widely recognised for the significant contribution she made to social justice and reconciliation both in Tasmania and across Australia.

This year, 10 students across fields including nursing, medicine and mental health courses were awarded a scholarship named in her honour.

Tasmanian Minister for Health and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Jacquie Petrusma, said the scholarships pay tribute to the outstanding work, life and legacy, of Aunty Ida - one of Tasmania's foremost Aboriginal Elders who made significant contributions to social justice, health and reconciliation.

"Respected Aboriginal Elder, Aunty Ida West OAM, passed away in 2003, leaving an incredible legacy, and these scholarships are a celebration of her life and an enduring tribute to the lasting impact of her work," Ms Petrusma said.

Ms Petrusma said the government is "investing in a better health system for all Tasmanians" with the scholarships responding to the disparity between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal healthcare workers in the state.

"These scholarships seek to address the underrepresentation of Tasmanian Aboriginal people working in Tasmania's health system and support students so they can achieve their study goals," Ms Petrusma said.

Members of Aunty Ida's family, scholarship recipients and guests gathered at Risdon Cove on Wednesday to celebrate each recipients' achievements.

The government said since commencing in 2004, the scholarship program has seen 43 students awarded more than $400,000 to study nursing, medicine, paramedicine, allied health qualifications and Aboriginal health and community services.

Scholarship recipients are awarded up to $5,000 in each calendar year.