The 2025 National Indigenous Healthcare Forum brought together more than 200+ senior leaders, practitioners and policymakers from across the Indigenous health ecosystem to address the most pressing challenges shaping First Nations healthcare delivery.
Representatives from Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs), Aboriginal Medical Services, government health departments, Primary Health Networks, Local Health Districts, hospitals and health-focused non-profits came together with a shared goal to strengthen workforce capability, improve access to culturally safe care, and deliver sustainable services in the face of funding and structural complexity.
Across the program, conversations moved beyond theory and into practical, community-led solutions. Delegates explored strategies to build and retain the Indigenous health workforce, expand preventative care in remote and vulnerable communities, and navigate funding frameworks more
effectively. Discussions were candid, solutions-focused and grounded in lived experience, creating an environment where leaders could share what is genuinely working in practice.
The result was a highly engaged national gathering that reinforced the importance of Indigenous leadership, cross-sector collaboration and culturally responsive practice in advancing health equity. The conference continues to serve as a trusted platform for meaningful dialogue, strategic
insight and practical action across Australia’s Indigenous health landscape.
2025 Advisory Board

Professor Bep Uink
Director
HealthinfoNet

Vickie Parry
Chief Executive Officer
Barang Regional Alliance

Graham ‘Buzz’ Bidstrup
Chief Executive Officer
Uncle Jimmy Thumps Up!

Maxine Tuner
Senior Project Officer
Ninti One Ltd

Dr Brad Murphy
General Practitioner; Professor of Indigenous Health and Wellbeing
The University of Queensland
The National Rural and Remote Healthcare Conference 2026 will be delivered alongside the National Indigenous Healthcare Forum, creating a unique national platform that brings together leaders working across rural, remote and First Nations healthcare.
While each conference features its own dedicated program, the co-located format enables stronger collaboration across sectors addressing some of Australia’s most pressing healthcare challenges. Together, the events bring policymakers, healthcare providers, community-controlled organisations, researchers and technology leaders into one shared environment to exchange insights, explore solutions and strengthen partnerships.
This expanded platform provides delegates, partners and exhibitors with the opportunity to engage with a broader network of decision-makers who are shaping healthcare access, service delivery and policy across rural, remote and First Nations communities.
Confirmed Speakers

Professor Tom Calma AO
Commissioner; National Coordinator
Australian Tertiary Education Commission; Tackling Indigenous Smoking

Tanya McGregor
Chief Executive Officer
Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia

Dr Clinton Schultz
Director, First Nations Strategy and Partnerships, Head of First Nations Research
Black Dog Institute

Sarah Brown AM
Chief Executive Officer
Western Desert Nganampa Walytja Palyantjaku Tjutaku Aboriginal Corporation

Tracey O’Brien
Chief Executive; Chief Cancer Officer
Cancer Institute NSW; NSW Health

Dr Andrew Goodman
Postdoctoral Fellow, Digital Therapeutics and Care
The Australian e-Health Research Centre, CSIRO

Justine Swan-Castine
Senior Manager People and Workplace Culture
Central Australian Aboriginal Congress

Siara Jawai
Care & Recovery Practitioner
Orange Aboriginal Medical Service

Greg Slabb
Director Aboriginal Programs and Partnerships
Single Digital Patient Record Implementation Authority (SDPRIA)

Angela Sheridan
Communication and Strengthening Partnerships Officer
WellMob

Kelly Jones
Ethics Committee
Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council (AH&MRC)

David Roberts
Director, Innovation and Training
Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council (AH&MRC)

Nicole Turner
Chief Executive Officer
Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council (AH&MRC)

Andrea Kelly
Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner
Office of the Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner

Riki Nia Nia
Chief Executive Officer
Te Rau Ora (NZ)

Rachel Bruce
Operations Manager
Mura Kosker

Aunty Vicki Wade
First Nations Senior Research Fellow
Menzies School of Health Research

Professor Bep Uink
Director
HealthinfoNet

Natalie Bassett-Bokic
Senior Accreditation Officer (Inclusion & Diversity)
Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO)

Caleb Pholi
Care & Recovery Practitioner
Orange Aboriginal Medical Service

Dr Teresa Anderson AM
Chief Executive
Single Digital Patient Record Implementation Authority (SDPRIA)

David Edwards
Director
WellMob

Michael Doyle
Associate Professor, Sydney Medical School
University of Sydney

Belinda Storer
Residential Manager
Juniper Guwardi Ngadu

Karl Briscoe
Chief Executive Officer
NAATSIHWP

Kenton Winsley
Chief Executive Officer
Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-Operative

Professor Maree Toombs
Deputy Dean
University of New South Wales

Sinon Cooney
Chief Executive Officer
Katherine West Health Board

Dr Alana Gall
Researcher
Southern Cross University

Mike Stephens
Director, Medicines Policy and Programs
National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO)

Dan Powell
LGBTIQ First Nations Senior Project Coordinator, Rainbow Health Australia, Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health & Society
La Trobe University; 2025 Victorian NAIDOC Pride Award Winner

Cazim Kadic
Care & Recovery Practitioner
Orange Aboriginal Medical Service

Petina Fry
Allied Health Workforce Development Officer - Identified
Metro South Health

Dr Gavin Wheaton
Founder
Deadly Heart Trek

Julieann Coombes
Senior Research Fellow, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Program
The George Institute for Global Health

Sharon Bilney
Director of Aboriginal Health
Eyre and Far North Local Health District
Full line-up to be announced in April 2026
Past Event Series Sponsors
Post Event Snapshot
2025 Attendee Profiles by Senority

2025 Organisational Profiles

Past Attendee Organisations
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Antar
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Australian Capital Territory Primary Health Network
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Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
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Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative
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Barang Regional Alliance
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Bendigo Health
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Bupa HI
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Cape York Partnership
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Country and Outback Health Incorporated
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Cunnamulla Aboriginal Corporation
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Department of Health
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Durri Aboriginal Corporation Medical Service Australia
-
Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Service
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Fred Hollows Foundation
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GEO Group Australia
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Gold Coast Primary Health Network
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Greater Western Aboriginal Health Service
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Holstep Health
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Hunter New England Local Health District
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Mallee District Aboriginal Services
-
Metro North Hospital and Health Service
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Mildura Base Public Hospital
-
Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation
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Mobility and Wellness Community Connections
-
Moorditj Koort Aboriginal Corporation
-
Ninti One
-
Nintiringanyi Indigenous Corporation
-
One Door Mental Health Australia
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Open Minds Australia
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Outback
-
Pangula Mannamurna Aboriginal Corporation
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Peninsula Health Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
-
Queensland Ambulance Service
-
Redcliffe Hospital
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Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network
-
South Eastern NSW Primary Health Network
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South West Healthcare Australia
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South West Hospital and Health Service
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Stepping Black Indigenous Corporation Australia
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The Fred Hollows Foundation
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Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service
-
Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation
-
Wellington Aboriginal Corporation Health
Service

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Venue
EORA / SYDNEY
5-6 August 2026






























