Workforce Development
The Victorian Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Workforce Strategy (Strategy) aims to support a strong and able workforce across VACCHO’s Member organisations, to deliver holistic wellbeing services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
This will improve health and wellbeing outcomes and improved health equity for the Community in Victoria.
The Strategy outlines 10 strategic priorities and provides a coordinated framework to address the attraction, recruitment, retention, and development of the workforce – inclusive of clinical and non-clinical employment across all levels, roles and functions.
10 STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
Workforce Development
- Grow our own: Increase the number and proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people employed in the sector and across all levels, roles and functions.
- Create the environment: Establish the conditions for workers to thrive and fulfil their potential.
- Equip allies: Increase the capability of non-Indigenous people to provide effective, culturally safe services.
- Invest for success: Provide appropriate sustainable funding.
- Work together: Undertake data-informed workforce planning and development in genuine partnership under Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander leadership.
Cultural Strength
- Value our knowledge: Value Aboriginal Ways of Knowing, Being and Doing.
- Recognise our holistic approach: Enable the sector to work holistically and collaboratively.
- Draw strength through culture: Embed Aboriginal cultures within health and wellbeing services.
Self-determination
- Our choice, our way: Enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to our own health and wellbeing.
- Create targeted and regional solutions: Support targeted and localized workforce planning.
Intended Strategy Outcomes
Through coordinated action across each of the priorities, the following outcomes will be realised:
- Improved attraction, recruitment, retention and development of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing workforce
- Increased number and proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across all levels, roles and functions
- Increased Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing workforce skills and capabilities in identified areas of need
- Improved cultural safety for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce and Community
- Improved access to data to inform proactive workforce planning and development
Victorian Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Workforce Strategy
Rapid Desktop Review of the Strategy
On Solid Ground: Strategic Plan 2021 – 2026
The Strategy was developed in line with the VACCHO Strategic Plan (On Solid Ground) which recognises the importance of a strong, able and sustainable workforce.
This is outlined in the priority of Our Foundations, and further explained in focus area 1.4.
Focus Area 1.4:
There is a strong and able workforce, across the sector, delivering holistic health and wellbeing services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
- 4.1.1 Develop and implement the Victorian Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Workforce Strategy
- 4.1.2 Implementation Plan
- 4.1.3 Monitoring and Evaluation Framework
Current Focus Areas
- Identifying ideal staff skills, attributes and capabilities to support staff and organisational success
- Reviewing and taking action to improve staff benefits and entitlements
- Mentorship and support programs for the Workforce
- Expanding offer of internships, cadetships and placements across client and non-client facing roles
- Advocacy responses for changes to Victorian Industrial Relations legislation
Other recommended reading and useful links
- Rapid Desktop Review – Victorian Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Workforce Strategy 2022 – 2026
- VACCHO Statewide GP Workforce Strategy (2021-2031) – Whilst the Victorian Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Workforce Strategy encompasses the whole of workforce, a specific GP focused strategy has been published which contains much overlap with the outcomes and action areas.
- On Solid Ground – five-year strategy focused on strength, sustainability and innovation for generational change.
- Balit Durn Durn – Strong brain, mind, intellect and sense of self – VACCHO’s report to the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System
More Workforce Development Resources
Alcohol and Other Drugs
Eye Health
General Practitioners
Hearing &
Ear Health
Koori Maternity Services
& Early Years
Nutrition &
Physical Activity
Palliative Care
Sexual Health
Smoking Cessation
Social & Emotional Wellbeing Support
Contact us
If you have any questions related to the Victorian Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Workforce Strategy, contact us via the enquiry form below.
About the artwork
By Dixon Patten
Gunnai, Yorta Yorta, Gunditjmara, Dhudhuroa
The idea for the art is to focus on the value of Aboriginal knowledge and honouring our teachings and perspectives. The art has 3 figures, representing three generations. The process of learning and observing our elders’ wisdoms is crucial as they are the knowledge holders of culture, the figures are wrapped in a possum skin cloak that represents the wisdom.
The two figures behind are the workers, the ones who benefit from listening and observing and who are helping shape our contemporary existence and navigating new spaces but still being led by old wisdoms.
The various pathways lead to community and family and signifies our strong connections also, that culture is embedded within this land and we stem from such strong history and bloodlines.
The water behind the figures represents the ability to reflect and our culture teaches us to observe and listen whilst still in our flow.
The gum leaves represent growth on our journey and the stones represent stepping stones for our mob, we are empowered with each step through culture.