Welcome
to the NIHLA
Leading Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Health and Wellbeing
About the NIHLA
On the 17 September the National Health Leadership Forum changed its name to the National Indigenous Health Leadership Alliance.
NIHLA is a partnership of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing organisations, whose purpose is to drive systemic and structural transformation of mainstream government systems, including addressing institutional racism and advancing the human rights of Indigenous peoples in alignment with the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce Strategic Framework and Implementation Plan.
As a partnership we provide specific expertise regarding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges and perspectives. We hold expertise across health, aged care and disability policy and service delivery, as well as workforce, research, organisational and business development, healing, mental health, and social, cultural and emotional wellbeing.
The social determinants and cultural determinants of health are the foundations to the work of the NIHLA, as they along with justice and climate impact on health and well-being. Health is a noted human right, it is an underpinning to everyday life, and key factor in economic and environmental sustainability.
The NIHLA was instrumental in the formation of the community-led Close the Gap Campaign and continues to lead the Campaign as part of the Indigenous Leadership Group along with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner and NACCHO.
The NIHLA provides advice and direction to the Australian governments on the development and implementation of informed policy and program objectives, to contribute to improved and equitable health and life outcomes, and the cultural well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Our Vision
Our vision is for the Australian health system to be free of racism and with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people leading and determining their own solutions that are culturally informed and governed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities. This Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander way of working can improve access to culturally safe and responsive health care services that are effective, high quality, appropriate and affordable.
No matter where we live, or who we are, every Australian should have access to a health system free of racism providing good culturally informed health care. Better health, Better and Longer lives for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Our Purpose
Advance health and well-being of Indigenous peoples in Australia, guided by the principles and priorities of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and other relevant human rights frameworks such as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
As per the National Agreement on Closing the Gap Priority Reform 3, to drive systemic and structural transformation of mainstream health systems.
Advocate for the recognition and protection of the health rights of Indigenous peoples outlined in UNDRIP and CRPD, ensuring access to culturally appropriate, inclusive and equitable healthcare services.
Empower Indigenous Communities to exercise their rights to self-determination, enabling them to lead and make informed decision about their bodies, their health and the health care systems that serve them.
Foster multi-party commitments on culturally informed and safe approaches to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services and programs.
Our Guiding Principles
The NIHLA, in all its work and deliberations as senior Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health leaders, is guided by the following principles:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander concepts of health and concepts of wellbeing and mental health.
- Informed, connected and representative.
- Empowerment and self-determination and nation building.
- Provide strategic advice, leadership and Indigenous knowledge from a strength-based position.
- Unity whilst recognising autonomy.
- Mutual regard and respect for each other’s unique contributions by valuing diversity.
- Cultural inclusion, accessibility, safety and responsiveness.
- Continuous quality improvement, best practice and evidence-based.
- Transparent, open and willing to share information.
History of the NIHLA
The NIHLA began as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health leadership in response to the 2005 Social Justice Report by the then Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Tom Calma, to close the health inequity gap.
This leadership established the Close the Gap Campaign Steering Committee, which had its first meeting in March 2006. The campaign was launched in April 2007 by patrons Catherine Freeman OAM and Ian Thorpe OAM.
This Campaign led to the 2008, Close the Gap Statement of Intent signed between the Australian Government and the then Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health leadership.
This work then led to the establishment of the National Health Leadership Forum (NHLF) in August 2011. The NHLF was formed to be a voice that advocates for improving health outcomes including mental health and social emotional wellbeing. Increasing workforce participation was also part of this action.
The Australian Human Rights Commission provided the secretariat support for the Close the Gap Campaign and the NHLF. The funding for the secretariat was provided by the Commonwealth Department of Health.
In 2019, the secretariat support for the NHLF separated from the Australian Human Rights Commission with funding from the Department of Health provided to one of the incorporated members of the NHLF. Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA) auspices the secretariat.
The NHLF led the development of the 2013-2023 and the 2021-2031 National Aboriginal and Torre Strait Islander Health Plan, as well as the 2021-2031 National Aboriginal and Torre Strait Islander Health Workforce Strategic Framework and Implementation Plan.
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2021-2031 aims to drive holistic cultural determinants and social determinants approaches to First Nations health and wellbeing. The Health Plan takes an intersectional and rights-based approach to health equity and access for all First Nations peoples.
A key health and wellbeing focus of the Health Plan is the implementation of prioritising access to person and family-centred care. This means more than recognising the multiple backgrounds, experiences and ways First Nations peoples identify. The way people identify, or live impact people’s health and wellbeing needs and ability to access care. Delivery effective, efficient, and safe health care means that the health system and its workforce must understand and cater for the experiences and connection to Country of people living across urban, regional, rural and remote locations, and for:
- people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans/transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, sistergirl and brotherboy (LGBTQIA+SB)
- people living with mental illness
- people who are incarcerated
- people experiencing homelessness.
- people with disability
- speakers of First Nations languages
- Stolen Generations survivors
- young people
- children in care
- older people.
In September 2024, the NHLF changed its name to the National Indigenous Leadership Alliance (NIHLA). We continue to work to push for a genuine partnership in health with government to provide strategic policy direction and drive a strengths-based and cross-cutting approach to holistic First Nations’ health, social and emotional wellbeing policy.
In addition to being part of the Indigenous leadership group for the Close the Gap Campaign, members are also part of the Coalition of Peaks. The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) was a foundational member of the NHLF until 2021 when it withdrew to focus on their leadership role in the Coalition of Peaks and within the Partnership with Australian governments that oversees the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
The NIHLA Chair position is currently held by the National Association of Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander Health Workforce and Practitioners (Sept 2023-2025).
