Growing our future: final report of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker Project

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker workforce is being under-utilised in efforts to address the health disparity experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. The purpose of this report is to inform the development of policies and strategies that will strengthen and sustain the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker workforce to deliver care in response to the known burden and distribution of disease in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population. Stakeholders agreed upon five key target outcomes: (1) a clearly defined, understood and recognised Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker workforce; (2) clearly structured and accessible education and career pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers; (3) a more strategic approach to planning and growing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker workforce in response to health and service needs; (4) workplace and community environments that enable and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers; and (5) better ways of collecting and sharing information relevant to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker workforce. The report makes 27 recommendations to Health Ministers.

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