Jana Stewart (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator McCarthy. The Albanese Labor government is committed to improving health outcomes for First Nations Australians and supporting Aboriginal community controlled health organisations to deliver care in partnership with Indigenous Australians directly. How is the First Nations Health Worker Traineeship Program delivering on this commitment, and what is the progress of this program?

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for her question. The Albanese Labor government is proud to be delivering practical programs that build skills, create jobs and strengthen the First Nations health workforce. Since the First Nations Health Worker Traineeship Program commenced in July 2023, we have seen more than 550 enrolments across the country. Of those, 152 trainees have already completed their studies. They are now armed with the skills to improve outcomes and help close the gap. This program is designed to address workforce shortages in Aboriginal health services and ensure the next generation of First Nations health professionals are supported, trained and empowered. It has been developed in partnership with NACCHO.

The training is being delivered by Aboriginal community controlled health registered training orgs and includes structured, on-the-job experience, ensuring that learning is grounded in community and not just in classrooms. That investment is contributing to greater access to vital Medicare services across the country and ensuring First Nations people have access to culturally appropriate and high-quality health care. It is delivering real outcomes, creating a skilled, culturally safe, First Nations health workforce that is improving access to care right across the country. It shows what can be achieved when government listens, works in partnership and lets First Nations leadership drive the solutions.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Stewart, first supplementary?

Jana Stewart (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister, for that response. Supporting Aboriginal community controlled health organisations is key to closing the gap in health outcomes. Can the minister outline how the Albanese Labor government is supporting Aboriginal organisations to deliver long-term sustainable health services for their communities?

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

One of the key pieces of feedback from the sector has been the need for long-term sustainable and flexible funding so ACCHOs can focus on their core business of delivering high-quality, culturally appropriate care for First Nations people. That's why, from July 2024, we have delivered an additional $300 million to implement rolling funding agreements for ACCHOs, bringing total funding under the comprehensive primary healthcare program to $2.7 billion over four years, providing certainty and flexibility for their operations. That brings the government's total investment under the Indigenous Australians' Health Program to $4.7 billion. We are also investing in modern health infrastructure, upgrading and expanding clinics in the areas of greatest need. This includes $8.9 million for Moorundi Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service in Murray Bridge and $1.5 million for Wuchopperen Health Service in Queensland. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Stewart, second supplementary?

Jana Stewart (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Albanese Labor government's expansion of the bulk-billing incentive to all Australians is part of the largest investment in Medicare ever. How will the Aboriginal community controlled health organisations benefit from the government's new bulk-billing incentive arrangements?

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Our reforms are strengthening both Medicare and the community controlled sector. From 1 November, ACCHOs will benefit directly from the expansion of bulk-billing incentives and the new bulk-billing practice incentive program. There are 129 ACCHOs currently participating in the Practice Incentives Program. Each of these services will be financially better off under the new arrangements. Together, these ACCHOs will receive an additional $3.8 million a year through expanded bulk-billing incentives and a further $8.8 million a year by joining the bulk-billing Practice Incentives Program. There will be $12.6 million in total in additional support for ACCHOs each year or almost $100,000 per organisation, on average. This will help ACCHOs to continue providing affordable, culturally safe care for their communities.