The national body for Indigenous community-controlled health and the body representing Australia's top GP's have signed their third Memorandum of Understanding to advocate for First Nations health.

The MoU, signed on Thursday by the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) and the Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP), will see the two continuing their ongoing and shared advocacy and work towards effective, culturally safe, and clinically appropriate healthcare for Indigenous people and communities.

"Renewing our collaboration with the RACGP reinforces our commitment to strengthening healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people," NACCHO chief executive Pat Turner said.

"For over a decade, this alliance has driven advocacy, informed policy, and supported high-quality, community-led care through our ACCHOs [Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Organisations]."

Ms Turner said the MoU highlighted the "critical role of ACCHOs" in helping to deliver culturally safe care to communities across the country, noting it underscored the need for "genuine cooperation that prioritises equity, self-determination, and the elimination of racism in healthcare".

"We look forward to continuing our partnership with RACGP to drive systemic change, shape policies, and create healthier communities," she said.

The productivity commission has explicitly called for self-determination to play a pivotal role in helping to close the gap, with ACCHOs leading the way—especially in remote communities.

NACCHO chair Donnella Mills said the importance of placing Indigenous health at the forefront of the national subconscious was vital.

Ms Mills argued healthcare for First Peoples was more than just treatment, but rather "respect, self-determination, and ensuring our voices shape the services designed for us".

"This MOU strengthens our ability to work alongside RACGP to advocate for an equitable and culturally safe healthcare system," she said.

"Through this partnership, we co-design resources, policies, and programs that reflect our communities' needs. It is a commitment to real, lasting change, ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led solutions remain central to healthcare reform.

"We must continue to challenge structural barriers and prioritise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health in all decision-making. Our collaboration with RACGP is a powerful step in delivering care that respects our culture, knowledge, and lived experiences."

RACGP Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Faculty chair, Dr Karen Nicholls, said their relationship with NACCHO was important, spanning the whole spectrum of primary care.

Since the first MoU in 2014, Dr Nicholls said both organisations have worked to Close the Gap by advocating for culturally safe health care and increased funding for ACCHOs across the country.

Dr Nicholls said they had developed several key resources, including the National Guide to preventive healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, used in general practices and ACCHOs nationwide.

"ACCHOs provide high-quality clinically and culturally safe healthcare designed by the community, for the community," she said.

"RACGP's 2024 Health of the Nation report revealed that the most satisfied GPs with the best work-life balance work in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health services, including ACCHOs. These are the things we celebrate together.

Dr Nicholls said RACCGP's also work in partnership through the NACCHO-RACGP Partnership Project team.

"I am delighted that this team will continue their important work to implement the National Guide and support high quality health checks for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through a project supported by the Department of Health and Aged Care First Nations Health Division across 2025 and 2026," she said.