About AHCSA

AHCSA is a membership-based peak body with a leadership, watchdog, advocacy and sector support role, and a commitment to Aboriginal self-determination. We are the health voice for Aboriginal peoples across South Australia, representing the expertise, needs and aspirations of Aboriginal communities at both state and national levels based on a holistic perspective of health. AHCSA is a collective term that includes both the membership and the Secretariat - the role of the Secretariat is to undertake work that AHCSA directs them to do via its Board, on which all member organisations are represented.

AHCSA’s 27 year history includes:
1981   Incorporated health unit under the South Australian Health Commission Act.
1999   Commissioned a review that recommended AHCSA be reincorporated under the Associations Incorporation Act, SA 1985, in order to increase its effectiveness and representation.
2001   AHCSA was reincorporated in October as a community-controlled organisation, governed by a Board of Directors whose members represent Aboriginal Community Controlled Health and Substance Misuse Services and Aboriginal Health Advisory Committees/Groups (AHACs/AHAGs) throughout South Australia.

Since the reincorporation, AHCSA has consolidated and achieved many things including:

• Reviewed and endorsed a revised Constitution, resulting in the seven Aboriginal Health Advisory Committees (AHACs) across the state becoming full members of AHCSA in 2006.
• Developed and endorsed the ‘Our Health, Our Choice, Our Way’ Policy Framework (2006).
• Developed, implemented and continued to review a sector-wide strategic plan that captures the collective concerns and aspirations of the Aboriginal health sector, known as the Aboriginal Health Sector Statewide Strategic Plan (AHSSSP) 2004-2009.
• Established more effective organisational management systems.
• Renegotiated the location and operation of Aboriginal Health Worker training through establishing the Centre for Aboriginal Health, Education and Training (CAHET) in 2003.
• Increased the number of skilled Aboriginal people in the health workforce.
• Expanded the scope of its activities and staff numbers.
• Increased the range of programs and services offered across the sector.
• Established and reviewed a variety of MOUs or service agreements to increase the range of accessible health services for Aboriginal people.
• Gained support from the Aboriginal health sector on a national basis to lead projects of national significance, such as:
• Centre for Clinical Research Excellence (CCRE)
• Good Medicines: Better Health (Quality Use of Medicines) project
• Secretariat for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Registered Training Organisation National Network (ATSIHRTONN)
• Aboriginal Health Worker Registration project.