About us
We’re committed to ensuring Australia’s health care system meets the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.
- 13+
- years been established
- 2,800+
- total national memberships
We’re committed to ensuring Australia’s health care system meets the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.
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Who we are
The National Association of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners (NAATSIHWP) is a national peak workforce association committed to ensuring Australia’s health care system meets the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. We have been funded by the Australian Government since establishment in August 2009 to:
- Promote the prevention and control of disease and other health conditions in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
- Improve the health outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- Address the impacts of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander disadvantage and
- Address the under representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people working within Australia’s health care system.
We achieve this by:
- Delivering and collaborating on initiatives to promote, professionalise and expand the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker and Health Practitioner workforce
- Recognising, addressing and promoting the social and cultural determinants of health
- Establishing and maintaining networks, partnerships and alliances with key government agencies, other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, researchers, academic institutions, and other national health bodies
- Participating in a range of key strategic initiatives to influence the design and delivery of policies, programs and services
- Role modelling the benefits of community control and self-determination and
- implementing rights-based best practice principles and approaches.
What We Do
The National Association of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners (NAATSIHWP) is a national peak workforce association committed to ensuring Australia’s health care system meets the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.
We have been funded by the Australian Government since establishment in August 2009 to:
- promote the prevention and control of disease and other health conditions in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities;
- improve the health outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people;
- address the impacts of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander disadvantage and;
- address the under representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people working within Australia’s health care system.
We achieve this by:
- delivering and collaborating on initiatives to promote, professionalise and expand the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker and Health Practitioner workforce;
- recognising, addressing and promoting the social and cultural determinants of health;
- establishing and maintaining networks, partnerships and alliances with key government agencies, other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, researchers, academic institutions, and other national health bodies;
- participating in a range of key strategic initiatives to influence the design and delivery of policies, programs and services;
- role modelling the benefits of community control and self-determination and;
- implementing rights-based best practice principles and approaches.
A key part of our role involves directly supporting a national membership network of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners.
In this respect we:
- support and promote policies to ensure the effective utilisation and professional integration of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioner workforce;
- provide support, training and resources to improve the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and management of disease and chronic health conditions;
- deliver professional development forums, conferences and symposiums;
- liaise with regulators, training authorities and employers to ensure the recruitment and retention of a skilled and competent workforce and;
- actively promote education and career pathways.
What A&TSI Health Workers and Health Practitioners Do
Across mainstream Australia few would know, understand or recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners as standalone professions. Yet, within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia, this workforce is renowned as a vital and reliable community resource critical to the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Evidence directly connects their roles to improved health across the life course.
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners work with communities, families, and individuals of all ages. They work autonomously and in teams with other health professionals, including medical doctors, registered nurses and midwives, dentists, psychologists, allied health professionals; and with policy makers, educators and researchers.
They provide a range of health services depending upon the work setting and individual scope of practice. These may include, but are not limited to:
~ clinical services such as:
- assessment and screening of physical health and social emotional wellbeing
- health promotion for risk factors (e.g. tobacco, healthy eating)
- providing health care in line with care plans and/or treatment protocols
- supporting clients in self-management, including the safe use of traditional and Western medications
~ planning, delivering and evaluating population health programs
~ advocating for clients, including interpreting and translating language
~ providing advice, support and training on providing culturally-safe health services to other health professionals, policy makers, researchers and educators
~ management activities, such as:
- staff supervision and mentoring
- business and financial management
- quality improvement
~ education and training of Health Workers and other health professionals.
For more information on what Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners do, NAATSIHWP has produced a brochure titled: 'Who We Are and What We Do'. To read this brochure please click here
Our Vision
An association, founded on the cultural and spiritual teachings of our past and present leaders, which best serves our members in their important role in achieving physical, social, cultural and emotional wellbeing for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Our Strategic Direction
Over the next three years NAATSIHWP will pursue this strategic direction:
To improve understanding in the health system of the role, scope and effective deployment of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners, as a vital and valued component of a strong professional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce needed to close the gap in health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
Our Values
Our values are consistent with those passed on to us by our ancestors:
- Cultural integrity;
- Cultural respect;
- The importance of connection to community;
- Strong leadership;
- Resilience and determination;
- Honesty and transparency;
- Dedication and passion;
- Commitment to quality workforce and service delivery;
- Diplomacy and sensitivity.
The National Association of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners (NAATSIHWP) is a national peak workforce association committed to ensuring Australia’s health care system meets the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. We have been funded by the Australian Government since establishment in August 2009 to:
-
promote the prevention and control of disease and other health conditions in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
-
improve the health outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
-
address the impacts of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander disadvantage and
-
address the under representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people working within Australia’s health care system.
In particular, NAATSIHWP holds responsibility for professionalising, promoting and expanding the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Worker and Health Practitioner workforce.
From our understanding Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners are the only culturally based health professions with national training and registration in the world. Across mainstream Australia few would know, understand or recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners as standalone professions. Yet, within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia, this workforce is renowned as a vital and reliable community resource critical to the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Evidence directly connects their roles to improved health outcomes across the life course.
You will find Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners working in rural, regional, remote and urban locations. They are employed largely by the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector, other Aboriginal Medical Services, mainstream and private health services.
NAATSIHWP's goal is to ensure this workforce is embedded as a vital, valued and professional component of Australia’s health care system critical to better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Policy development, mentoring and support, education and professional development forums, and media activities are all critical components of the NAATSIHWP's role and responsibilities.
NAATSIHWP works closely with other National Peak workforce bodies including the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association (AIDA), Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA) and the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses (CATSINaM).
NAATSIHWP is governed by a Board of nine Directors – one from each State and Territory and one from the Torres Strait Islands.
Support Organisations
The National Association of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners (NAATSIHWP) is a national peak workforce association committed to ensuring Australia’s health care system meets the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. We have been funded by the Australian Government since establishment in August 2009 to:
- Promote the prevention and control of disease and other health conditions in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
- Improve the health outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- Address the impacts of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander disadvantage and
- Address the under representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people working within Australia’s health care system.
What we do
NAATSIHWP is a national peak workforce association committed to ensuring Australia’s health care system meets the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.
Professional Development
NAATSIHWP hosts regular Professional Development Forums yearly and delivers biennial National Professional Development Symposiums and Conferences. We provide access to our National Mentoring Program, to a number of certified training and education material through our Portal including NAATSIHWP CPD Endorsed training and education, resources and much more to support our members.
Engagement and Leadership
NAATSIHWP’s review of its Cultural Safety Framework ensures it assists in providing a culturally safe environment for our members. NAATSIHWP also represents our members interest on over 25 steering committees and working groups on a variety of topics, campaigns and health initiatives, etc. To grow leadership within the workforce, we have also just launched our inaugural NAATSIHWP Leadership Masterclass Program.
Workforce Development
NAATSIHWP is working hard to establish a strong professional identity for the workforce. We play a major role in developing the National A&TSI Workforce Strategic Framework and Implementation Plan 2021-2031 to elevate the professions on a national level. As part of this, we have a major project underway looking at how greater national consistency for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners can be introduced. We also develop resources such as the Exemplar Model of Care for health assessments to ensure models of care incorporate our professions.
NAATSIHWP Consulting
NAATSIHWP’s consultancy is very much in its infancy stage however we have undertaken projects consistent with our specialised area of expertise that improve and incorporate the role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker and Health Practitioner professions.
NAATSIHWP Group Education & Training
NAATSIHWP future projects includes providing learning and educational opportunities and activities both accredited and non- accredited to our members. NAATSIHWP also launched a Leadership Masterclass as an investment to building the Workforce pipeline and support career progression
Our Members Map
Not yet a member?
Apply to NAATSIHWP today
Joining NAATSIHWP's national membership network helps to increase the profile of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker and Health Practitioner workforce and to progress the health and wellbeing aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
