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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners play a critical role in providing both clinically and culturally safe healthcare to their families and communities. Importantly, their role positively impacts the development of a culturally safe and respectful health workforce that is responsive to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and their health.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practice Board participated in multiprofession approaches to developing standards, codes and guidelines. It held preliminary consultations on revised standards for recency of practice and continuing professional development to better align with most other professions in the National Scheme.
It also undertook preliminary consultations on standards for limited registration related to supervised practice, public interest and teaching and research. This may provide opportunities for the Board to develop supervised assessment practice models to support its workforce projects.
The recently completed Professional Scopes of Practice Project final report by the National Association of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners offers a valuable foundation for workforce development. The Board acknowledges that there is still much more work to be done to support a sustainable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner workforce, and it is committed to continued work in this area.
As Ahpra starts work on the next National Scheme Strategy, workforce sustainability will be a high priority for the Board.
In September 2024, we reached over 1,000 registered Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners for the first time.
This milestone gives us a moment to pause and celebrate one of the smallest but most critical registered workforces in the health sector. We thank them for their incredible sacrifices to care for their families and communities’ health and wellbeing.
The Board and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia gathered in Garramilla (Darwin) in June 2025 to showcase the strength and value of interprofessional collaboration. The work builds on the Guidance for nurses and midwives working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners and highlights the vital role the National Scheme plays in ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples receive and access culturally safe healthcare that is free from racism.
On behalf of the Board, special thanks go to Mr Paul Fisher, Executive Officer, for his outstanding service and support to the Board for over two years. We wish him well in his continuing journey in Ahpra.
Ms Iris Raye, Chair
