The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency has appointed Nicole McCartney as the new National Director of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Strategy Unit.

Ms McCartney, a Yorta Yorta woman living on Bunurong country in Victoria, is a respected leader with more than 20 years' experience in Aboriginal health.

As the Victorian Department of Health's inaugural Chief Aboriginal Health Adviser, Ms McCartney spearheaded the delivery of an Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Division which focused on embedding self-determination and cultural safety in the Victorian health system.

She has also managed Western Australia's Aboriginal Policy and Coordination Unit, which enabled her to work closely with Aboriginal communities on building models of health which reflect the holistic and cultural view of Aboriginal people and communities.

Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) CEO Justin Untersteiner welcomed Ms McCartney's appointment and affirmed APRHA's commitment to cultural safety and eliminating racism in healthcare.

"AHPRA is proud of the significant contribution the HSU has played and continues to make in the important work and commitment to culturally safe healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people," he said.

"Discrimination and racism cause harm and stop people from accessing the health services they need. I look forward to working with Nicole whose experience and advocacy work will have a profound impact on our important work to keep the public safe."

Establishes in 2021, AHPRA's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Strategy Unit (HSU) drives the strategy goal for a healthcare system that is culturally safe and free from racism.

The HSU ensures Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander experts lead reforms to make regulatory processes culturally safe and free from racism, and that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are represented in decision making.

National Indigenous Health Leadership Alliance (NIHLA) deputy chair, Marilyn Morgan, also welcomed Ms McCartney's appointment.

"NIHLA looks forward to working closely with AHPRA and with Nicole on our shared goals of cultural safety and eliminating racism from healthcare systems in Australia," she said.

Ms McCartney will commence her role at AHPRA on Monday, August 17.