Health in community

The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (RCIADIC) recognised that culturally unsafe and inaccessible health services contribute to poor health outcomes for Aboriginal people. Recommendations under this theme stress the need for cultural competence in healthcare and Aboriginal community engagement in health, through both better communication between Aboriginal and mainstream services, and Aboriginal-led design and delivery of health services. RCIADIC found that Aboriginal people often experience stereotyping, miscommunication, and inadequate health service access—especially in regional areas. It called for systemic changes such as mandatory cultural training for non-Aboriginal staff, employment of Aboriginal health workers in mainstream services, access to interpreters, and Aboriginal participation in decision-making roles and facility design.

Since RCIADIC, many relevant reforms have been implemented to enhance cross-cultural training, workforce diversity, and system responsiveness. Victorian programs such as the Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer scheme have gained recognition as essential to patient outcomes. However, implementation has been inconsistent, and the goals of improved cultural safety and patient trust have not been achieved. Persistent issues of underrepresentation on hospital boards, inconsistent use of interpreters, and lingering stereotypes remain.

The AJC and the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) have continued to push for Aboriginal-led service design, embedded cultural safety standards, and better tracking of long-term health impacts. The Aboriginal Justice Caucus continues to assess progress against these recommendations, stressing that the full realisation of cultural safety in health services is not only about improving care—but about Aboriginal self-determination, justice, and dignity. Many of these recommendations remain highly relevant and are considered high priority for reducing deaths in custody and improving community wellbeing.