A scholarship named in honour of a significant leader in Indigenous health and wellbeing, Dr Arnold 'Puggy' Hunter, is set to transition to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community control.

The change will see Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA), alongside partners the National Association of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners (NAATSIHWP) and Rural Doctors Network (RDN) jointly provide the Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship from mid-2024.

NAATSIHWP chairperson and Bundjalung man, David Follent, said he was glad the relationship between the Association and the scholarship scheme was set to continue

"NAATSIHWP have a long history with the Puggy Hunter Scholarship and is pleased to be working with IAHA and RDN to ensure that we grow our future Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce across all disciplines, led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people," Mr Follent said.

The Commonwealth funded PHMSS program is named in honour of Dr Hunter in acknowledgement of his many contributions, including being the inaugural chairperson of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation.

Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care and Yanyuwa woman, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said she was sure Dr Hunter would be proud that the scholarship scheme named in his honour will soon be Indigenous led.

"In his role chairing the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, Dr Arnold 'Puggy' Hunter devoted his life to improving health outcomes for First Nations Australians," Ms McCarthy said.

"(The scholarship) will ensure the next generation of First Nations health students are well-equipped to work with communities to provide quality, culturally safe and appropriate care for better health outcomes."

IAHA chairperson and Kamilaroi woman, Nicole Turner, said many IAHA members have benefited in their studies as Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship recipients.

"IAHA is excited to work in partnership to support the next generation of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce," Ms Turner said.

"We know the important role that financial assistance plays in student success, but we're excited to wrap our culturally safe and responsive supports around recipients to ensure that they're supported culturally, personally, and professionally, across their journey."

The scholarship plays an essential role in providing equitable access to education, training and employment for Indigenous peoples, with its recipients consistently making positive impacts in their communities.

RDN chair, Wiradjuri man Professor Peter O'Mara, said RDN is privileged to continue to work alongside two Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations which share such an important relationship.

"We are proud to be able to offer program delivery expertise and technical support, to contribute in our way to the success and longevity of the program, and most importantly the scholarship recipients, including our students coming from or working with our rural and remote communities," Prof. O'Mara said.

The Hunter family will also work with consortium members to ensure a culturally-safe and responsive scholarship program continues to be delivered.