The disparity between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal participation in the health workforce is well documented, and reducing this disparity is consistently recognised as vital to addressing the serious health inequities faced by Indigenous populations in Australia and worldwide.

Evidence suggests that Aboriginal people face a unique constellation of challenges in ‘commencing, continuing and completing’ training or studies. Addressing barriers to the recruitment and retention of Aboriginal people is therefore central to strategies to reduce the shortage of Aboriginal health workers.

Development of the Aboriginal health workforce has been a priority in Victoria since 2010-11. Funding was initially provided under Closing the Gap and subsequently through the Koolin Balit Training Grants Program. Under these programs, organisations receive funding to provide traineeships, grants and graduate programs, to assist them to recruit, retain and develop Aboriginal health workers. Aboriginal community controlled health organisations (ACCHOs), health services and community health centres are eligible for funding.

Since 2010-11:

• 236 grant/traineeship recipients have achieved workplace entry or career development opportunities
• 18 recipients have participated in graduate programs.

Evaluation of the program

The Department appointed AHA to evaluate the impact of the:

• Aboriginal health workforce development programs provided through traineeships, grants and graduate programs
• Identified organisational barriers that influence the recruitment and retention of Aboriginal people in the Victorian health workforce.

The evaluation used a mixed methods approach that included analysis of DHHS data, a survey of grant recipients, site visits and in-depth telephone interviews with stakeholders and program funding recipients.

The evaluation reports on the impact of the workforce development programs and the extent to which recipients have established health careers in Victorian healthcare organisations and ACCHOs. The report provides evidence of the successes and highlights areas for future improvement in Aboriginal health workforce development in Victoria.

The final report is available on the Department’s website.