Building a Strong First Nations Health Workforce

A national program designed to increase the number of First Nations people in the health workforce is seeing success in employment outcomes and the delivery of culturally appropriate health care.

Dylan White and Reeghan Finlay both completed a Certificate III in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care through the First Nations Health Worker Traineeship Program.

With their training completed at EMPOWA Training, they are now employed at the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH) clinics and in other community-controlled health settings.

Reeghan says that her participation in the national program brings her a bright future.

“I am very grateful to have been given the opportunity to complete the Certificate III in Primary Health Care.”

“IUIH and EMPOWA really made it a fun learning environment, having the option to do the recognition for prior work that we are already doing also helped a lot,” she said.

Dylan also sees benefit in the program and found the learning approach in the national program enjoyable.

“I want to work in community and ‘keep the wheels in motion’ and ensure mob are able to access our services.

“I did this course to give back to those who have paved the way for us. EMPOWA supported me all through my training.”

Nationally, the First Nations Health Worker Traineeship Program has supported 159 trainees to complete their qualifications, with more than 550 enrolments since the program began in July 2023.

EMPOWA Training, established in June 2024 as an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Registered Training Organisation (ACCHRTO), delivered its first training cohort as part of the First Nations Health Worker Traineeship Program.

The 100% completion rate for EMPOWA’s inaugural group of students highlights the strength of community-led training and the importance of culturally safe education pathways.

The program is well on track to meet its target of 500 traineeships completed by June 2027.

Funded by the Australian Government, the program is delivered in partnership with the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO).

NACCHO Chief Executive Officer, Pat Turner AM describes the success of the program in building community empowerment alongside development of skills in health care.

“The First Nations Health Worker Traineeship Program is proof that when our communities lead, we build strength that lasts. This program isn’t just about qualifications, it’s about empowerment. It’s about our people gaining the skills, confidence, and recognition to deliver care within their own communities and shape the future of our health sector."

“Every graduate embodies cultural strength, lived experience and an unwavering commitment to their community. That is what makes our workforce strong, and it’s what drives better health outcomes for our people.”

The program supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainees to undertake Certificate III and IV qualifications while gaining on-the-job experience in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and other health settings.

Dr Alison Nelson, Executive Director Organisational Development, IUIH says the program has benefits beyond the positive outcomes for each graduate.

“As a large urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled health organisation, we recognise that increased training and employment not only meets the need for growing a culturally safe and connected workforce, it also contributes significantly to the social determinants of health.”

“Our inaugural 11 graduates will play a pivotal role in the expansion of culturally safe health and community care services across Queensland,” she said.

The program is a key initiative under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and is helping to grow a culturally safe, skilled First Nations health workforce across Australia.

Funded with a $54.3 million Government investment, the program is delivered in partnership with the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO).

The program is a key initiative under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and is helping to grow a culturally safe, skilled First Nations health workforce across Australia.

Read more about the First Nations Health Worker Traineeship Program | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Graduates of the First Nations Health Worker Traineeship Program