The board of Aboriginal Hostels Limited (AHL) is now entirely Indigenous following the appointment of four new directors and a new deputy chairperson.

AHL operates more than 40 hostels across Australia, providing culturally safe and affordable accommodation to around 17,000 First Nations people each year as they access essential services, education and employment opportunities.

On Friday, the federal government announced the new appointments, bringing together leaders with backgrounds spanning education, health, governance, community development, public policy, business and technology.

Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, said the appointments would strengthen the organisation's work supporting First Nations people.

"Their diverse experience and leadership will strengthen AHL's commitment to providing culturally safe and affordable accommodation for First Nations people across Australia," she said.

"I thank outgoing Board members for their work supporting the important role of AHL over the course of their term."

New appointments

Ngemba man Professor Jack Beetson joins the board after a long career in Indigenous education and community leadership.

He founded the Literacy for Life Foundation, previously led Tranby Aboriginal College as executive director and was the foundation president of the Federation of Independent Aboriginal Education Providers.

Yupungathi and Meriam woman Dr Vanessa Lee-Ah Mat brings nearly two decades of experience across public health, governance and research.

A social epidemiologist and consultant, she has held a range of intergovernmental and board positions, with expertise in cultural brokering, policy, education, health promotion and data governance.

Galari man Michael Newman, of the Wiradjuri Nation, currently serves as deputy chief executive officer at the Lowitja Institute.

He has more than 20 years of governance experience, including leadership roles in the community-controlled sector and a career in the New South Wales public service.

Badimaya Yamatji man Gohar Rind, from Western Australia's Murchison region, is the founder and managing director of Yira Yarkiny Group, the state's first Indigenous cyber security organisation.

He brings more than a decade of executive and board-level experience across government and industry.

Furthermore, current director Shona Reid has been reappointed and elevated to deputy chairperson.

An Eastern Arrernte woman with cultural connections to South Australia and the Northern Territory, Ms Reid is South Australia's Guardian for Children and Young People and has spent more than 20 years advocating for the rights and wellbeing of Aboriginal children, families and communities.

Ms Reid and the four directors will serve three-year part-time terms beginning this month.