Meet the Mob at Ahpra
Jayde Fuller
Gamilaraay
HSU Director
Melissa Browning
Coodjingburra – Bundjalung, Kullilli, Kombumerri
HSU Program Manager
Chantelle Bastow
Gamilaraay
Snr Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Regulatory Officer (Registrations)
John Brady
Birri Gubba, Kuku Yalanji
Snr Policy and Project Officer
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practice Board of Australia
Dr Stephen Corporal
Eastern Arrernte
Snr Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement Officer Statutory Appointments
Kerry Klimm
Kuku Yalanji, Koko Lamalama
Snr Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communications and Engagment Advisor
Maddie Pashley
Gunggari
HSU Coordinator
Rachel Stringfellow
Gudandji
Snr Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Project Officer
Alyssa Wehrman
Kalkadoon
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Regulatory Officer
Kevin Yow Yeh
Wakka Wakka, South-Sea Islander
Snr Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Notifications Officer
Ahpra Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff honour all those who have come before us working for safer healthcare, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners from all professions who care for our mob.
Racist free and culturally safe healthcare
The primary purpose of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency is to protect the public by setting standards and policies that all registered health practitioners must meet.
Cultural safety in the National Law is part of those standards, providing an agreed definition of cultural safety in the codes of conduct for more than 850,000 registered health practitioners. This means that culturally unsafe, racist practice must be considered by regulatory decision makers, including the independent tribunals who decide matters of professional misconduct.
Racist and culturally unsafe practice and behaviour is unlawful and can carry substantive penalties, including deregistration.
It also ensures that every part of Ahpra and National Boards are working within the same principle and towards the same objective, that is to provide culturally safe health services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
What does the HSU do?
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Strategy Unit (HSU) is 100% Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staffed, driving the strategy goal for a healthcare system that is culturally safe and free from racism by 2032.
The HSU is taking a strategic approach to dismantling all forms of racism, systemic, institutional and interpersonal as a matter of urgency. This includes ownership and accountability by providers, practitioners and regulators to creating safe healthcare.
The HSU:
- advocated for the National Law reform
- is creating a culturally safe notification process for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples making a complaint and have several positions available to support Indigenous people in the intake process.
- is finalising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander special committees to review complaints. The Medical Board of Australia and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia have agreed to delegate decision-making to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander National Special Issues Committees comprised of Indigenous and non-Indigenous members to decide upon notifications and compliance matters involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander notifiers and practitioners.
- is finalising an anti-racism policy, developed by race scholar Professor Yin Paradies, for Ahpra
- is developing cultural safety continual professional development (CPD) for all registered health practitioners
You can contact the team at [email protected].
How do we support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander practitioners?
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement and Support team is made up of two dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff supporting you throughout your registration journey as a health practitioner.
The team correspond with over 10,600 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners across 16 health professions.
The team is a liaison point if you need support or help with anything to do with your registration or Ahpra. It doesn't matter what it is, they will help or find the right person in Ahpra who can help you.
The team will share useful information and news from the National Scheme and elsewhere through regular correspondence.
Also, check out the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce series discussing important factors affecting the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce and identify actions needed to best support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander practitioners.
You can contact the team for any questions or support at [email protected].
Jobs for Mob
Ahpra’s team of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff has grown significantly in the past year.
We are focused on recruiting more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers across all levels in Ahpra, community and practitioner boards.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander positions available.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander board and committee member participation
The Strategy sets an achievable target of Indigenous representation across The Scheme. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples on Boards and committees helps to ensure Indigenous views and culturally safe ways of working are embedded in core business.
We’re establishing a mentoring and support program specifically for Indigenous Board, committee and staff members to set them up for success.
Interested in becoming a member, or want more information, contact [email protected].
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Board and committee opportunities.