Our Impact
Members
Our Model

Policy and

Advocacy

VACCHO’s Policy and Advocacy team pushes for systemic change to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria.

A strong voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and self-determination.

VACCHO works with Members to shape clear policy priorities for the Aboriginal Community Controlled sector – and we advocate for meaningful change at local, state and federal levels.

But our vision doesn’t stop there.

We’re determined to create vibrant, healthy, self-determining Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities throughout Victoria.

To get there, we develop policy position papers and submissions to support better health and wellbeing for Mob – then share them with decision-makers across government, business, philanthropy and the not-for-profit sector.

That way, our Members’ voices always stay on the political agenda.

Policy Documents

Healthcare in Prisons: Ending Preventable Harm for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People in Victoria

VACCHO is calling for urgent reform of custodial healthcare in Victoria, shifting oversight from the Department of Justice and Community Safety to the Department of Health, ending private prison healthcare and establishing an ACCO-led model to prevent harm and deaths in custody.

Learn more

Aged Care Reforms: What Elders and Community Need to Know

Support at Home and the Risks for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders

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Creating a New ACC-RTO Classification

VACCHO is advocating for recognition and funding for Aboriginal Community Controlled RTOs (ACC-RTOs) to ensure culturally safe, high-quality training for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

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VACCHO's Yoorrook Submission

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.

Read it here

VACCHO's Budget Submissions 2026-27

State

VACCHO’s state budget submission puts forward a targeted package of investments that deliver measurable, long-term benefits for Aboriginal health outcomes, social and emotional wellbeing, and economic participation. These investments ensure self-determination from design through to implementation and beyond.
Download it here

Federal

VACCHO’s six key priorities for the Federal Budget to improve the health and wellbeing of Victoria’s nearly 80,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Download it here

Our 2025 Federal Election platform and scorecard

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 Islander people.

View 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.

View here

The Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Partnership Forum

The Forum brings together Aboriginal organisations, the Victorian Government, and the mainstream health sector with a shared vision of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people having access to a health system that is holistic, culturally safe, accessible, and empowering.

More info

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