Information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents of the ACT

Community health

The ACT Health Directorate supports local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services to deliver culturally specific and appropriate health, social, emotional and wellbeing services.

Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services (Winnunga) is an Aboriginal controlled health care service that offers a range of medical services and programs including General Practitioners, nurses, social and emotional health services, dental services and more.

The ACT Government also has other programs and services to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including support during the COVID-19 pandemic to help protect our community. These services include financial assistance, access to food and essential supplies, business support and looking after your mental health and wellbeing.

ACT Government programs

The Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs provides advice to the Minister on issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in the ACT. They coordinate whole of government services, funding grants, initiatives and events for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members. They also provide secretariat and administrative support to the Elected Body.

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people needing transport to connect with their communities and culture in the ACT, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander transport program operates Monday to Friday. Bookings are essential.

Under the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Justice Agreement 2010 – 2013, the ACT Justice and Community Safety Directorate works to provide and improve justice services and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Local services include the Aboriginal Justice Centre, Ngambra Circle Sentencing Court, initiatives to reduce the number of Indigenous men and women in the criminal justice system and more.

Closing the Gap

The Elected Body is committed to Closing the Gap and improving the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We believe that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should have a meaningful say on policies and programs that impact us. We are proud to be a member of the Coalition of Peaks to make this happen through formal partnerships with Australian governments at all levels.

The Coalition of Peaks is a representative body of around 50 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled peak organisations and members. The Coalition of Peaks came together to change the way Australian governments work with our people. The Coalition is committed to representing our people’s needs and ensuring their voice is heard in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

Visit Coalition of Peaks to find out more about the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

Boomanulla Oval

Our office home is at Boomanulla Oval – a place owned by our community, for our community. Boomanulla Oval has a long history of hosting important cultural and community events for the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. It’s an important and significant meeting place for our community and is where all of the Elected Body meetings and events are held.