How To Attract, Retain and Grow the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce in Australia: A self-determined approach

Abstract

Racism in the healthcare system results in harm experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Countering racism and achieving culturally safe healthcare will not be possible without self-determination, meaning Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices must drive the design and delivery of services and policy. The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) facilitated a webinar series that brought together Indigenous health sector leaders to discuss factors affecting the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce and identify policy actions needed to support positive change. Four key areas – Accept, Educate, Support, and Invest – were identified through the series, providing a roadmap for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous health system stakeholders to grow an accessible and sustainable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce.

Keywords

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Indigenous, health workforce, self-determination, workforce retention