First Nations Health
By 2031, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will represent 3.43% of the Australian working age population (ages 15 to 64). The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce Plan’s target is to increase Indigenous employment in the health workforce to reach the same level (3.43%) over the next decade.
Most states and territories have Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce plans and strategies to increase the skills and capacity of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce to respond to local needs. At the heart of many of these plans is providing culturally safe and responsive workplace environments that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people need to thrive. This is critical to supporting the growth and retention of a national health workforce.
Although Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are employed in the health care and social assistance sector more than any other industry, they are still underrepresented. A strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce is a powerful driver of change and evidence shows that an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce delivers better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
According to the latest Census (2021), 3.1% or 16,659 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 and over were employed in health-related occupations. Growing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people employed in the health workforce across all roles, levels and locations will expand access to culturally safe care and significantly improve the health outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
High job growth is projected in health and related sectors over the next five years, including aged care, disability, mental health, and research. It is an important opportunity to change systems to meet the health, education and employment needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and to grow the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce across the health system.
