Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Services
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders (Indigenous) are Australia’s First nations peoples, whom are the bearers of Australia’s traditional culture and heritage.
Indigenous Australians commonly experience poorer health, live shorter lives and have twice the number of death rates than compared to non-Indigenous Australians. Many social and genetic factors contribute to a health disadvantage that affect Indigenous peoples more so than their non-Indigenous Australian counterparts. Approximately 2 in 3 Indigenous Australians report that they experience at least one long term condition. The most common conditions include mental health issues, heart disease and circulation problems, diabetes, cancer, respiratory (asthma) conditions, eye and hearing problems.
In order to address the large difference of health problems between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, the following healthcare pathways have been developed. These pathways and services are designed to assist Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander community members to access health care, more easily and to address their concerns and conditions more appropriately and effectively.
A wide range of other non-Indigenous specific, Mental Health services are also available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within the Northern Sydney region and can be accessed with a GP referral. For guidance or more information please speak to your GP or a Health Professional.
See Northern Sydney Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Services & Resources listed below:
Program Objectives
| Name: | Gaimaragal Group |
| Website: | http://www.gaimaragal.com/ |
| Description: | The “Çaber-ra nanga” (Gaimaragal word meaning, ‘Peace of mind’) ENGAGE project, in collaboration with Relationships Australia is a service that specifically provides culturally safe Aboriginal and Torres Strait Mental Health services. Indigenous staff will assist in service coordination, establishing community based programs and client advocacy. Culturally appropriate information, education, support and referral processes that promote improved mental health & well-being. |
| Referral Required: | No |
| Name: | Integrated Team Care (ITC)/ Aboriginal Health Service |
| Location: | Grand Pacific Health |
| Website: | https://www.gph.org.au |
| Description: | The ITC program contributes to the improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with chronic health conditions through better access to coordinated and multidisciplinary care. This program is delivered via Grand Pacific Health. Effective November 1, 2025, all existing and new referrals can be directed to the ITC Care Coordinators and Care management team using the following contact numbers: Intake Line: 1800 879 096, ITC Care Coordinator: 0439208370, Aboriginal Outreach Worker: 0483048163. A GP referral is required for ITC program registration. |
| Referral Required: | Yes |
| Name: | Odyssey House |
| Location: | 24 Olga Street, Chatswood NSW |
| Phone: | 1800 397 739 |
| Email: | cssn@odysseyhouse.com.au |
| Website: | http://www.odysseyhouse.com.au/ |
| Description: | Odyssey House provides non-residential rehabilitation services to clients who are adults with alcohol and other drug dependencies and co-morbid conditions including chronic health, behavioural and psychological issues. Services include individual and group counselling, care coordination and aftercare support. Direct referral – (02) 9281 5144, GP Referral- SNPHN Mental Health Triage Ph: 1300 782 391 |
| Referral Required: | No |
| Name: | Primary and Community Care Services Ltd - Psychological Access+ |
| Email: | intake@pccs.org.au |
| Website: | http://www.pccs.org.au/ |
| Description: | “Psychological Access+” provides mental health support including psychologists, social workers, mental health nurses, occupational therapists, and Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander health workers (with specific mental health qualifications) throughout NSW. |
| Referral Required: | Yes |
| Name: | Relationships Australia |
| Phone: | 1300 364 277 |
| Website: | www.relationships.org.au |
| Description: | Relationships Australia is a leading provider of relationship support services for individuals, families and communities. Their aim is to support all people in Australia to achieve positive and respectful relationships. Relationships Australia is a community-based, not-for-profit Australian organisation with no religious affiliations. Services are for all members of the community, regardless of religious belief, age, gender, sexual orientation, lifestyle choice, cultural background or economic circumstances. |
| Referral Required: | No |
| Name: | SNPHN Mental Health Triage |
| Phone: | 1300 782 391 |
| Website: | https://sydneynorthhealthnetwork.org.au/mentalhealthtriage/ |
| Description: | The Sydney North Health Network (SNHN) has commissioned a range of flexible mental health, drug and alcohol, and suicide prevention services to meet the needs of the community. The aim is to provide streamlined access to the most appropriate level and type of care, whilst also supporting general practice and the wider mental health sector |
| Referral Required: | No |
The Program’s scope is to coordinate care, fund activities, services, and aids where appropriate, which support the treatment and management of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with chronic conditions. There should be improved access to primary care, and the promotion of continuity of care where patients need ancillary care, specialised care, or other follow up activities. This is facilitated through better access to the required services in a range of disciplines and allied health services, and better care coordination and provision of supplementary services.
Eligibility
The following general eligibility criterion is mandated by the Department for entry to the ITC program.
That a person:
- Identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
- Is diagnosed with at least one of the following chronic diseases:
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Chronic Respiratory
- Disease
- Chronic kidney disease
- Mental illness
- Has a completed GP Management Plan and/or completed Team Care arrangement (optional)
- Resides or attends a General Practice within the Sydney North Health Network boundary
Highlights
The Integrated Team Care (ITC) program is a chronic disease management program designed to support and improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People in the region. The service provides culturally appropriate care coordination to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with long-term, complex conditions. The ITC team at the Sydney North Health Network works closely with clients, general practitioners, and other medical and allied health providers involved in client care.
Working with individual clients often highlights needs in other members of the family, and the ITC program has been instrumental in referring these family members on to a range of services.
I think the Women’s Gathering is helping me come out of my depression.
The Yarning Circle at the Riverview Eye Clinic provided a young Aboriginal man with 6 months’ worth of therapy.