Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia - AHCWA
AHCWA is the peak body for Aboriginal health in Western Australia. We work to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal people and their communities.
The Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia strives to strengthen and promote the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector Model of Care, and the delivery of comprehensive, holistic and culturally secure primary health care services; empowering Aboriginal people to achieve health equality in their communities. We exist to support and act on behalf of our 24 Member Services across the s
tate, offering support, advocacy and influence; building capacity, and actively responding to their individual and collective needs. Our vision is for Aboriginal people to enjoy the same level of health and wellbeing as all Western Australians, and we support and strengthen our Member Services to achieve excellence in the delivery of health care. AHCWA leads and influences the state and national Aboriginal policy agenda as determined by our Member Services and works to grow and advance the capacity and capability of AHCWA and our Member Services for long term sustainability.
23/07/2025
With the cold and wet season in full swing, it is important to stay protected against RSV, a common cold sick virus that mostly affects babies and young kids, but can infect people of any age. Aboriginal babies are at higher risk of becoming very sick with RSV, with one in 20 babies needing hospitalisation for RSV in their first six months of life.
Abrysvo is a vaccine that can be given to pregnant women to help protect their babies from RSV. When a pregnant mum gets Abrysvo, her body makes protective antibodies that pass to the baby through the placenta. This gives her baby protection from birth to six months old.
23/07/2025
Join our team at AHCWA as a Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Program Coordinator.
The Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence (FDSV) Program Coordinator is responsible for supporting the SEWB Program Manager to provide support to the FDSV Pilot sites by undertaking tasks such as the development and implementation of FDSV resources, providing culturally secure FDSV advice, developing stronger connections in the sector to increase FDSV capabilities, increasing the prominence of the FDSV Pilot within the WA health system and maintaining processes to support pilot site deliverables.
The aim of the Pilot project is to support the development and implementation of family, domestic and sexual violence practice within the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector.
AHWCA Sexual Health and BBV Program Officer, Liberty Bowles, and Health and Wellbeing Executive Manager, Kim Gates, attended the second Asia Pacific Conference on Point of Care Testing for Infectious Diseases last month. The conference was hosted by RAPID and ASHM Health in Bangkok, Thailand, from 19 to 21 June 2025. Kim Gates presented an update on syphilis POCT in Western Australia, receiving positive feedback for highlighting real-world, community-based experiences.
Additionally, the conference provided an opportunity to explore the latest innovations in point-of-care testing and how we could implement them. With many Member Services already using POCT, it was insightful to learn how these tools are leveraged internationally to improve access and outcomes. The event also opened doors to future collaborations, with plenty of networking and potential partnerships to improve and expand POCT access and integration.
22/07/2025
With the cold and wet season in full swing, it is important to stay protected against RSV, a common cold sick virus that mostly affects babies and young kids, but can infect people of any age. Aboriginal babies are at higher risk of becoming very sick with RSV, with one in 20 babies needing hospitalisation for RSV in their first six months of life.
An immunisation called Beyfortus is available to protect babies from RSV. The needle gives babies antibodies to fight off RSV, and protects them for at least five months.
21/07/2025
On 25 May, AHCWA’s Senior Policy Officer, Kim Brewster celebrated five years of service with the organisation—a tenure defined by commitment, growth, and a deep-rooted drive to create positive change in the lives of Aboriginal people and their communities.
To read more about Kim’s five-year journey, follow the link:
On 25 May, AHCWA’s Senior Policy Officer, Kim Brewster celebrated five years of service with the organisation—a tenure defined by commitment, growth, and a deep-rooted drive to create positive change in the lives of Aboriginal people and their communities. Kim began her career at AHCWA in 2020 a...
21/07/2025
Join our team at AHCWA as the SEWB Clinical Terminology Project Coordinator!
The SEWB Clinical Terminology Project Coordinator is responsible for advancing the development and implementation of social and emotional wellbeing clinical terminology within Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services to improve how SEWB is considered, classified, and recorded within Patient Information Management Systems.
This role will also take a lead role in the development of communications, resources, and stakeholder engagement strategies to support the project’s objectives.
From 1 January 2025 to 30 June 2026, eligible Aboriginal people can receive discounted or fully covered emergency ambulance services in Western Australia. If you’re over 50, services are fully covered with a Pension Concession Card, and a 50 per cent discount applies to those without a concession card.
Ensure your ambulance officer knows you’re Aboriginal when using the service, and if you need help sorting your bill, call (08) 9334 1212 or email billing@stjohnwa.com.au
Scan the QR code to have your say on whether this service continues.
18/07/2025
AHCWA has been working with St John WA to facilitate the donation of decommissioned on-road ambulances to ACCHS needing transport. The first vehicle went to Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service last month, and the next will travel to Yura Yungi Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation this month.
AHCWA has been working with SJA to supply the vehicles to our Member Services, as well as providing initial vehicle orientation and basic operational training to enable ACCHS staff to safely transport their patients.
Thank you, St John WA, for this important assistance to our Services.
Pictured: Liz Ellis from PAMS with the vehicle outside AHCWA before the long drive back to Newman!
18/07/2025
A new COVID-19 Response Review produced by the State’s peak body for Aboriginal health reveals the remarkable scope and scale of Western Australia’s Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services’ work during the pandemic—and makes vital recommendations to government to ensure preparedness for future health emergencies.
Follow the link to read more:
A new COVID-19 Response Review produced by the State’s peak body for Aboriginal health reveals the remarkable scope and scale of Western Australia’s Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services’ work during the pandemic—and makes vital recommendations to government to ensure preparedness ...
17/07/2025
Are you passionate about improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people across Western Australia? Check out our sample of current employment opportunities in the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector to see what vacancies may interest you.
Are you passionate about improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people across Western Australia? Check out our sample of current employment opportunities in the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector to see what vacancies may interest you. Join the Bega Garnbirringu Health Servic
17/07/2025
A new National Lung Cancer Screening Program is now available to people aged 50–70 who have a history of smoking and no lung cancer symptoms.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Australia and is often only diagnosed after symptoms develop. This program aims to catch lung cancer early to improve treatment success rates.
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing have launched resources to promote awareness ahead of the program’s full communications campaign in mid-September. Follow the link to find out more: https://www.naccho.org.au/cancer/lung-cancer/
16/07/2025
What a powerful week at the WA Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector Conference—from inspiring youth voices, to focused discussion and meaningful collaboration, recognising the Sector’s dedication to improving health outcomes for Aboriginal people and communities.
Thank you to all presenters, partners, sponsors, and delegates, and a special shout-out to Cole Baxter for capturing it all.
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The Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia (AHCWA) is the peak body for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs*) in Western Australia. We exist to support and act on behalf of our 23 Member ACCHSs throughout WA, actively responding to the individual and collective needs of our Members.
Governed by an Aboriginal Board of Directors who represent all regions in Western Australia, AHCWA aims to promote and strengthen the ACCHSs’ model of care. A model that is built around the delivery of comprehensive, holistic, and culturally secure primary health care services.
We come together as one to; respect, welcome and understand the social and cultural needs; to network; provide support; advocate; to influence policy; monitor performance; build work capacity; improve and strengthen the social and emotional wellbeing; of Aboriginal people and their communities.
Representing the needs of our Members, we act as a forum to lead and influence the development of Aboriginal health policies across WA. We advocate for the rights and entitlements of all Aboriginal people and ACCHSs throughout Western Australia at local, regional, State and national levels.
Incorporated under the Commonwealth Corporations Act in May 2005, AHCWA continues to evolve and build capacity as the leading authority for Aboriginal primary health care in Western Australia.
