A national framework and systems to monitor progress of cultural safety education within doctor training will be established as a nationwide, Aboriginal-led health sector organisation maps out its future.
Joint Colleges Training Services (JCTS) is a joint venture between the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), established in 2022.
Its role is to deliver cultural education to GPs and RGs (rural generalists), alongside training support for the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service sector, to strengthen a health workforce equipped to provide quality care to First Peoples.
To continue doing so, funding from ACRRM and RACGP, alongside the federal government, has been extended.
With it, Joint Colleges Training Services has released its five-year strategic plan (2026-2030).
Professor Peter O'Mara, a Wiradjuri man, doctor and chair of JCTS, said "through this strategy, we will drive meaningful and lasting change, ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives are reflected and respected across every level of general practice training and workforce development".
The organisation is moving into a period of stabilisation with growth to come, he said, with internal structures and consolidation the focus for the coming 18-24 months.
Cultural Safety remains the heart of their work, Professor O'Mara said, "establishing a strong foundation for sustained growth, impact and leadership across the general practice training sector".
Sector relationships and "high-quality education that promotes equity and excellence in practice" are also on the list of priorities, he added.
JCTS's strategy outlines three key pillars.
CULTURAL SAFETY:
- Embedding Cultural Safety across systems, governance, and GP training delivery
EXCELLENCE:
- Strengthening quality, capability, and accountability across all operations
RELATIONSHIPS:
- Building and sustaining trusted partnerships across the sector
Under the first priority is the plan to develop and implement a National Cultural Safety Framework which defines CTS's approach to Cultural Safety education.
It's also intended to implement accountability in policy, position description and governence systems.
"Cultural Safety indicators and benchmarks to monitor progress and strengthen education quality, supervision, and mentoring" will also be established, as measurable.
Under the priority for 'Excellence', with in-house focus on governance, workforce capability and operational systems, the implementation of a Cultural Impact and Outcomes Framework will monitor performance and progress is also outlined.
Commitments to leadership and capability pathways for staff, educators and trainees, with particular focus on this for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is also included.
Partnerships with GP training colleges, peak bodies and governments are central to the third pillar of the strategy.
JCTS outlines a vision for 'Strong communities and healthy futures' driven by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways being embedded into doctor training.
In 2025, RACGP endorsed a The National Association of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health Workers & Practitioners (NAATSIHWP) developed guide to support general practices across Australia value the leadership, skills and knowledge of First Nations health workers.
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) has previously launched Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Cultural Safety Strategy.
For JCTS, "The significance of the five-year funding extension cannot be overstated", general manager and Worimi and Mununjali man Anthony Paulson said of the organisations newly launched strategy.
"It is a testament to the hard work of the JCTS team and the continued investment by the Australian Federal Government and both GP Specialist Colleges. This reinforces the importance of strengthening cultural safety knowledge and capability across the GP and RG workforce," he said.
"For the next five years, all JCTS team members will work towards our shared goal of creating strong communities and healthy futures for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways in GP and RG training. I couldn't be prouder of JCTS and all we have achieved so far."
