Our Impact
Members
Our Model

Policy and
Advocacy

VACCHO is a strong voice on the priorities and needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We develop clear policy priorities supported by effect advocacy campaigns to assist our stakeholders make meaningful change.

At VACCHO, we work with our Members to identify the key issues impacting Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) across Victoria.

We analyse the broader policy environment and work in-house to produce evidence-based policy position papers that underpin how we advocate for better health and wellbeing outcomes for the Victorian Aboriginal community.

We strive to ensure that the concerns of our Members are always on the policy agenda. We develop policy positions through Member engagement and consultation. Once a policy position has been established, our team engages with stakeholders, prepares submissions, and publishes our position papers for circulation.

2025 Federal Election platform

VACCHO’s 2025 Federal Election Platform advocates for strengths-based approaches to improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

It prioritises six projects that will uplift the health and wellbeing of Victoria’s more than 79,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders

Read it here

2025 Federal Election Scorecard

In this Federal Election Scorecard, VACCHO has compiled responses of questions we asked the parties and major players contesting the upcoming Federal Election in 2025.

This scorecard is based on a number of policy positions relevant to the Victorian ACCO space and to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community more broadly.

Read it here

VACCHO Budget Submissions

2025-26

State

VACCHO calls on the Victorian Government to invest in the ACCO sector to further the Government’s commitment to self-determination and enhancing the delivery of health and wellbeing through ACCOs. VACCHO’s 2025-2026 State budget submission prioritises eight projects that will deliver value for money and uplift the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal Victorians.

Download it here

Federal

VACCHO calls on the Federal Government to demonstrate its commitment to enhancing the health and wellbeing of Victoria’s 79,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by increasing investment in the sector. VACCHO’s 2025-2026 Federal Budget submission focuses on five key projects that will to that.

Download it here

VACCHO's Yoorrook Submission

Read it here

VACCHO has submitted its comprehensive health submission to the Yoorrook Justice Commission’s inquiry addressing systemic injustices faced by Aboriginal communities in healthcare, education, and housing.

Federal and State Election Budget Summaries

State

The 2024-25 Victorian State Budget announced a number of changes that will affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health initiatives.

VACCHO acknowledges the Victorian Government’s decision to prioritise families in the 2024-25 State Budget, however, it falls short of providing the concrete commitment needed to support Aboriginal organisations who champion Aboriginal culture to keep families strong.

More info here

Federal

VACCHO urges the Federal Government to walk the talk, demonstrate real ambition, and provide meaningful support to empower ACCOs to build strong families, and support thriving, healthy Communities.

The 2024-2025 Federal Budget lacks vision, drive and the concrete support for Aboriginal Communities in Victoria. This budget is another one that fails to deliver solutions to Close the Gap.

More info here

POLICY AND ADVOCACY

Aged Care

POLICY AND ADVOCACY

Mental Health

POLICY AND ADVOCACY

Disabilities

POLICY AND ADVOCACY

Children & Families

POLICY AND ADVOCACY

Health
Justice

POLICY AND ADVOCACY

Systemic
Reform

POLICY AND ADVOCACY

Primary
Health

POLICY AND ADVOCACY

Alcohol and
Other Drugs

VACCHO’s Advisory Groups and Forums

Coalition for Aboriginal Health Equality Victoria (CAHEV)

Working to ensure that the commitments of the Statement of Intent to Close the Gap in Indigenous Health Outcomes are met.

More info

National Advisory Group for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged Care (NAGATSIAC)

Advocates on aged care policies, programs and services for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

More info

Victorian Advisory Council on Koori Health (VACKH)

VACKH was established to bring together on a regular and formal basis, representatives responsible for state-wide Aboriginal health issues in Victoria.

More info

Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Partnership Forum

A strategic collaboration between the Aboriginal Community-controlled health sector, the mainstream health sector and the Victorian Department of Health

More info

Victorian Aboriginal Ear & Speech Health Group (VAESH)

VAESH meet regularly to discuss ear/hearing and speech concerns and challenges currently faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Victoria.

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Victorian Committee for Aboriginal Aged Care and Disability (VCAACD)

The Victorian reference group for staff in organisations providing Home and Community Care (HACC) services to Aboriginal people.

More info

Dhelk Dja Partnership Forum

Connecting Aboriginal Community members to key decision makers across government so they can address family violence issues together.

More info

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