Community. Culture. Country.
Reflections from the NACCHO Members Conference and how ACCHOs can replicate a community-governed virtual care model, supported by The Virtual Care Checklist.
The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation’s (NACCHO) Members’ Conference is always a powerful reminder of what community-led healthcare can achieve.
In December 2025, more than 1,100 delegates from across the country from ACCHO Boards, CEOs, clinicians, Elders, cultural leaders and emerging leaders, came together with a shared, clear sense of purpose.
Community. Culture. Country
As community-controlled health services continue to grow in impact, partners must be equally ready to support care that is culturally safe, clinically robust and fit for the future.
That’s why conversations at the 2025 conference weren’t just about policy and funding, they were about practical readiness. How we design services, technology and partnerships that genuinely strengthen community control, rather than complicate it.
These conversations inspired Urapuntja Health Service, Visionflex and Aspen Medical to create a Virtual Care Checklist for ACCHOs.
Across NACCHO, the momentum and energy is unmistakable:
- 550 ACCHO clinics
- 4,000 First Nations staff
- 3.6 million episodes of care delivered last year
- Better outcomes and more cost-effective care
- More than primary care, these are frontline services
And the government is listening.
Commitments outlined at the conference signalled a stronger focus on growing the First Nations health workforce, strengthening primary health care, and transitioning to needs-based funding, alongside significant investment in ACCHO clinic infrastructure and expanded access to mental health services.
In his address, Minister Mark Butler, recognised the leadership of ACCHOs and outlined new investments across social and emotional wellbeing, suicide prevention, infectious disease responses, early intervention, and broader First Nations health programs.
Community leaders spoke courageously about truths we must confront:
- First Nations people are 40% more likely to die from cancer
- Suicide rates among the highest in the world
- Youth suicide represents over 40% of deaths
- In WA, 87% of Indigenous people in custody are on remand and 95% return within a year
These aren’t just numbers; they are families, communities and futures.
And they underline why community control is essential.
When ACCHOs lead and partners follow, healthcare becomes stronger, safer and truly grounded in who we are.
Urapuntja Health Service with Visionflex and Aspen Medical, captured the major considerations in an actionable resource designed to support culturally safe and sustainable virtual care partnerships.
