What do Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers do?

What are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners?

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers (ATSIHWs) and Health Practitioners care for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

ATSIHWs have clinical skills. They also respond to the social and cultural needs of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander families and communities.

Only Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people can be ATSIHWs. This helps to create a culturally safe health system.

What is culturally safe care?

Cultural safety is about how healthcare is given. Doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers are required to deliver care that is:

• safe
• accessible
• responsive

Healthcare workers should also make sure that the care they give is free of racism by:

• recognising and acting on the power imbalance between practitioner and patient
• reflecting on their knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours
• reflecting on their conscious and unconscious biases

In Australia, it’s now understood that improving cultural safety can improve access to healthcare. It can also improve the quality of healthcare Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people receive.

Why is culturally safe care important during pregnancy?

Getting culturally sensitive antenatal care (care during pregnancy) is important for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women. Regular antenatal care in your first trimester is linked to better health for both you and your baby.

A recent study found that compared to women receiving care from the local hospital, women receiving care by Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services were more likely to:

• get early antenatal care
• have 5 or more antenatal visits

The study also found that care from an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service was also significantly linked to:

• lower numbers of premature babies
• lower admissions to a neonatal nursery
• lower planned caesareans
• lower use of epidural pain relief
• higher numbers of mothers who were breastfeeding on leaving hospital

In 2020, more than 7 in 10 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander mothers attended antenatal care in their first trimester. This had improved from 2012, when 5 in 10 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander mothers attended antenatal care.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers are critical in providing safe and appropriate maternity care.

What’s the difference between Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners?

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers have a Certificate II or higher in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners have both:

• a qualification in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice
• registration with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practice Board of Australia

Where do Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers work?

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers often work in Aboriginal primary healthcare services. This may be in an:

• Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO)
• an Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS)

They can help doctors better understand your concerns, and help you better understand what is happening with your health during and after pregnancy.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers may focus on:

• maternal and child health
• community health
• ear and hearing health
• health promotion and health education
• social and emotional health

Will I see an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Worker during my pregnancy?

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers work with doctors and midwives to deliver care throughout pregnancy.

During your pregnancy they may:

• talk with other healthcare professionals for you
• give health education
• give cultural education
• keep your health record up to date

You might not need an appointment or referral to see an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Worker. Check with your local health service.

What is an Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer?

Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officers, Aboriginal Liaison Officers and Aboriginal Health Liaison Officers are people who work at the hospital. They are there to help Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people while in hospital.

If you have your baby in hospital, they can help you:

• with the hospital admission process
• to speak with your doctors and other health professionals
• understand what’s happening with your treatment
• make sure that your family understands and is involved in your care

Your Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer can help you get the support you need when you go home.

Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officers also help educate and support other staff to give culturally sensitive healthcare.

Your hospital or nursing staff can give you the contact details for your Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer.

How can I find an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Worker or Health Practitioner?

Find an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) near you.

In New South Wales, Aboriginal Maternal and Infant Health Services (AMIHS) support pregnant women, their families and community.

Find out about Koori maternity services in Victoria.

There are many other child and maternal health programs that are offered locally across Australia.

Learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners at NAATSIHWP.

Resources and support

To learn more about Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners, visit the National Association of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners (NAATSIHWP).

NAATSIHP is the health professional association and peak body for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners.

You can visit NACCHO to find out more about Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs).