The health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is significantly worse than the general population. To address this gap, the Australian Government, specifically through the Department of Health’s Indigenous and Rural Health Division (IRHD), allocates funds to Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS). These services offer a range of primary healthcare to Aboriginal individuals. Additionally, the government supports mainstream primary healthcare for Aboriginal people through programs such as the Medicare Benefits Scheme, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, and specific initiatives like outreach and preventive health programs.
This Evidence Brief scrutinises the academic literature to examine the effectiveness of ACCHS, assess its quality, and analyse the implications for policymakers.
