Our People to Live Stronger & Longer

Month: May 2026

Upcoming Events

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

Indigenous Risk Impact Screen Training – EOIs Open for July in Central Sydney and Parramatta

NSW Health is funding workforce development activities for the alcohol and other drugs sector, especially prioritising Aboriginal peoples and staff who work with Aboriginal peoples.

Indigenous Risk Impact Screen training (IRIS) training has been offered in several locations across New South Wales from 2024 to 2026.

To register your interest, please complete an expression of interest online.

Spaces are limited to 20 in each training session, so please get in quick!

Expressions of interest are still being accepted for the following sessions:

  1. Sydney (near Central Station)  | 27-28 July 2026
  2. Parramatta  | 30-31 July 2026

About the training

This two-day training is designed to help workers in a range of settings to screen for drug and alcohol and mental health issues and provide brief intervention, using the IRIS tool.

IRIS was designed and validated for and by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples with funding from Queensland Health. IRIS was developed to help health workers to assess  alcohol and other drug use and associated mental health issues in a culturally safe and timely  way.

This training opportunity aims to build your skills in screening and providing  brief intervention to Aboriginal peoples on drug and alcohol and mental health. In particular, you will be able to:

  • Increase your understanding of the IRIS screening tool (e.g. its purpose, who to use it with, where and when to use it)
  • Administer IRIS, including scoring, and interpret IRIS results
  • Provide feedback on clients’ IRIS results and offer a tailored brief intervention using culturally safe tools and resources

The IRIS training is being organised by Kylie Lee and team at the Centre for Alcohol Policy Research (CAPR), Priority Populations at La Trobe Uni.

About the trainers

Rob Assan: Rob is an Aboriginal man from Queensland and a drug and alcohol worker. He was part of the original team who delivered IRIS training Australia-wide. He has lots of experience training the Aboriginal alcohol and other drug workforce on screening and brief intervention.

Kate Conigrave: Kate is an addiction medicine specialist and a public health physician.

If you have questions about the training, please email: Kylie Lee – kklee@latrobe.edu.au

National Indigenous Healthcare Forum 2026

The Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW are pleased to welcome you to the National Indigenous Healthcare Forum 2026.

The forum will be held on 5–6 August, followed by a Workshop and Cultural Cruise on 7 August, held on Eora Country in Sydney.

The event will bring together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health leaders, ACCHOs, practitioners, Elders, researchers, and government representatives to share knowledge, strengthen partnerships, and discuss priorities for the future of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healthcare.

Date: 5-7th August 2026
Location: Eora, Sydney
Register here

For more information, visit the National Indigenous Healthcare Forum website.

5-Day, Face-to-Face Immunisation Course for Health Professionals

NACCHO and AH&MRC, together with the Benchmarque team, are hosting a 5-day face-to-face immunisation course for health professionals working in ACCHOs across NSW.  

This course is fully funded by NACCHO for those are working in Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.   

This course is HESA accredited, and endorsed by NAATSIHWP.

Session 1

Date: Monday 15th – Friday 19th June 2026
Venue: AH&MRC Little Bay Campus | 35 Harvey Street Little Bay, NSW
Register here

Session 2

Date: Monday 22nd – Friday 26th June 2026
Venue: Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service

If you are interested in joining this session, please reach out to the Public Health Team on publichealth@ahmrc.org.au

NACCHO Weekly immunisations webinars + Q&A Sessions for the ACCHO Sector

Q&A Sessions will run fortnightly on Wednesday (altering with webinars) 1-1:30pm AEDT/AEST.

  • These sessions are for those who have completed or are about to complete accredited immunisation training. Sessions will be run by an immunisation nurse practitioner and are an opportunity for staff to ask clinical questions.
  • Immunisation webinars will run fortnightly (alternating with Q&A sessions at the same time).
  • These sessions are open to all ACCHO staff interested in immunisations. Run by an immunisation nurse practitioner, webinars will focus on engaging with clients around vaccinations and showcase ACCHO immunisation programs.

Find out more and register here.

Spotlight on Cancer Screening

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

Cancer screening is simple and free. It saves lives — but only when people get screened. That’s why supporting Aboriginal people and communities to participate is key. This month, we highlight new lung and cervical screening resources, share an update on mobile lung cancer screening consultations, and focus on bowel cancer screening for Bowel Cancer Awareness Month.

Cancer Institute NSW launches new cervical screening campaign

Cancer Institute NSW recently launched the Cervical Screening for Mob campaign to support Aboriginal women and people with a cervix aged 25-74 years to participate in cervical screening, including through self-collection. The campaign is running in May and June across various media platforms (online, TV and radio). Campaign materials including social tiles, posters and videos are available for download.

Cancer Institute NSW also have an updated range of resources and materials to support culturally safe cervical screening. These include:

  • Materials to support community yarning (flipchart and facilitators’ manual, merchandise featuring cultural artwork), pouches for discreet swab self-collection, and modesty covers for use during clinician swab collection (all available to order)
  • A guide to organising cervical screening health promotion activities in your community
  • The NSW Aboriginal Cervical Screening Network, a statewide forum for health workers including ACCHO staff to share ideas and resources

NACCHO’s cervical screening resource collection can also be found here.

Lung cancer screening – Aunty Joan’s story

A new video featuring Aunty Joan Quinlin, a proud Dunghutti woman has been added to the Australian Government’s ‘It’s Good to Know’ campaign promoting the National Lung Cancer Screening program. Aunty Joan talks about her experience of having a low-dose CT scan to screen for lung cancer and encourages others to do the same. The campaign website also includes an information page about lung cancer screening for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. NACCHO also have a range of lung screening resources, including information and promotional materials (brochures, posters, social tiles and polo shirts) available to order or download.

Mobile lung cancer screening consultations starting soon

From early 2027, Heart of Australia will be rolling out a mobile lung cancer screening service equipped with a CT scanner to selected locations in regional and remote NSW that do not have access to CT services. Heart of Australia will be reaching out to Member Services in the proposed locations in the coming months to support tailored local planning and service delivery. We encourage Member Services to participate – your leadership and expertise are key to an effective and culturally safe approach.

Please contact the AH&MRC Public Health team at publichealth@ahmrc.org.au if you would like further information or support during this process.

Bowel Cancer Awareness Month is about to start

June is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, so it’s the perfect time to take a look at these bowel cancer screening resources from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, Cancer Council, NACCHO and Cancer Institute NSW – you’ll find information, posters, social tiles, videos and more. Alongside the mail-out test kits, Member Services can boost participation by encouraging people to screen and supplying test kits to those who need them. And don’t forget that people aged 45-49 years can opt-in to the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program too.

World No Tobacco Day 2026

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

Over the past few years, AH&MRC has continued to support smoking and vaping cessation initiatives and ongoing work across the sector. AH&MRC has worked closely with member services and stakeholders to support access to Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), workforce training, and culturally appropriate smoking cessation support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

AH&MRC has also collaborated with stakeholders including the Cancer Institute NSW, to support ACCHOs with access to funded NRT supplies, with opportunities available for services to receive funding support during this financial year.

AH&MRC has partnered with ‘WhichWay?’ to implement and evaluate a Women’s Group Program: ‘Gulibaa Project – Supporting Women on Their Quit Journey’ aimed at supporting the sector to deliver culturally safe smoking and vaping cessation support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.

As part of this year’s World No Tobacco Day activities, AH&MRC is happy to announce the relaunch of the Quit Pack | WhichWay? with the resource expanding nationally to support more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia. You can download their promotional resource kit here.

If your service would like further information about AH&MRC smoking and vaping cessation support, workforce training, or access to resources including NRT support initiatives, please reach out to the AH&MRC Public Health Team  publichealth@ahmrc.org.au

Other Resources:  

Eligibility for FREE Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine Expanded to Older Children

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

As of May 22, NSW Health’s Nasal Spray Influenza Vaccination Program has been expanded to include children aged from 5 to 17 years, in addition to those aged from 2 to 4 years.

This means that Member Services can now provide FREE FluMist to ALL children and teens aged 2 to 17 years.

We encourage Member Services to offer and promote FluMist as an option for children and teens aged 2 to 17 years. This will support efforts to boost flu vaccine coverage as we head into winter, with initial feedback suggesting high demand for FluMist among families attending Member Services.

Due to limited shelf-life, we encourage Services to prioritise timely use of existing FluMist stock, however Services with low stock can place a new FluMist order via the State Vaccine Centre.

Note that FluMist is not registered for use in children aged under 2 years or adults.

Read more about the nasal spray flu vaccine and find related AH&MRC resources here. As always, please reach out to us at publichealth@ahmrc.org.au if you have any questions or concerns.

Diphtheria Outbreak: Key Actions for ACCHOs

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

A large diphtheria outbreak is currently affecting the Northern Territory, Western Australia, Queensland and South Australia.

Between 1 January and 26 May 2026, at least 248 cases were notified nationally, making this one of the largest outbreaks in decades. Importantly, more than 94% of cases have occurred among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. No cases have been reported in NSW so far in 2026. Australia’s Chief Medical Officer declared the outbreak a communicable disease incident of national significance (CDINS) on 22 May 2026, to improve the outbreak response coordination between the federal and state and territory governments.

Diphtheria is caused by the bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheriae or Corynebacterium ulcerans. It commonly affects the upper respiratory tract, presenting with sore throat, low-grade fever and enlarged lymph nodes in the neck. Within 2–3 days, an adherent grey membrane may form over the throat, leading to difficulty swallowing and breathing. Severe complications can include paralysis and pneumonia, and the disease can be fatal.

Cutaneous form of diphtheria, more common in tropical regions, presents as shallow skin ulcers covered by a greyish membrane which are often slow to heal. In the current outbreak, over two-thirds of cases have been cutaneous infections, while around one-third have been respiratory. Approximately one quarter of all cases have required hospitalisation.

Diphtheria spreads through respiratory droplets (e.g. coughing and sneezing) and close contact with infected individuals, including those without symptoms. Transmission can also occur via contact with contaminated surfaces, skin lesions, or items such as tissues or clothing. Good hygiene practices are therefore essential to reduce spread.

Treatment involves antibiotics and, in more severe cases, administration of diphtheria antitoxin. Vaccination with diphtheria-toxoid vaccine remains the key preventive measure. While vaccination is highly effective at preventing severe, toxin-mediated disease, it does not reliably prevent infection or transmission.

Under the National Immunisation Program (NIP), children are recommended to receive five doses of diphtheria-containing vaccine at 2, 4, 6 and 18 months, and at 4 years of age, with a booster at 11–13 years. Pregnant women are also eligible for a funded dose between 20–32 weeks in every pregnancy.

In response to the current outbreak, NSW Health has implemented a targeted vaccination program, funding Boostrix vaccine for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are not eligible under the NIP.

Key actions for ACCHO clinics

Check vaccination status for all patients

Healthcare providers are strongly encouraged to provide opportunistic review of their patients’ vaccination status and ensure vaccinations are up to date.

As part of the outbreak response, NSW Health will:

  • Fund additional doses of diphtheria-containing vaccine for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged over 20 years who have not received three doses, to complete the primary course (3 doses);
  • Fund a booster dose for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged over 20 years who have previously received at least three doses, where the most recent dose was more than 10 years ago;
  • Fund a booster dose for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 17 years and over who have previously received at least three doses, where the most recent dose was more than 5 years ago AND they are travelling or moving to areas considered at higher risk for diphtheria.

ACCHOs can order Boostrix via the NSW Vaccine Centre using the routine vaccine order form. Please note the funded booster doses are currently only available through Aboriginal Medical Services or General Practices, not through vaccinating pharmacies.

Remain alert for diphtheria

Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion, particularly in patients with recent travel to affected regions. For suspected cases:

  • Take a throat swab for respiratory presentations;
  • Take both ulcer and throat swabs for suspected cutaneous disease.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients presenting with sore throat should also receive empiric antibiotic treatment for Group A Streptococcus, in line with current guidelines. Notify your local Public Health Unit of any suspected diphtheria cases on 1300 066 055.

You can find updates on NSW Health response to the outbreak here. You can also download diphtheria immunisation resources at the NACCHO website.

Diphtheria is vaccine-preventable but is re-emerging. Checking and updating vaccination at every opportunity, together with maintaining strong hygiene practices, remains the most important way to protect individuals, families and communities.

Smoking and Vaping Cessation training and resources available now!

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

To support our sector to deliver smoking and vaping cessation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, AH&MRC have partnered with Which Way? to implement and evaluate a Women’s Group Program.

What is the Which Way? Women’s Group Program?

The Which Way? Women’s Group Program was developed to support our sector to deliver culturally safe smoking and vaping cessation support during pregnancy and beyond.

The program includes:

  • Online and in-person training (14 CPD points),
  • Complete resource kit, and
  • Access to small grants

This comprehensive program prepares Aboriginal Health Workers and Practitioners to facilitate the smoking and vaping cessation group program developed by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. This Indigenous-led and evidence-based program combines cultural practices with behaviour change techniques to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women on their quit journey.

What topics are covered in the online training modules?

  • History of tobacco with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
  • Understanding nicotine dependence and supporting withdrawal
  • Behaviour change techniques for smoking and vaping cessation
  • Running an effective group program

How to become a trained facilitator?

  1. Sign your organisation up to the Which Way? program and evaluation
  2. Complete the online smoking and vaping cessation training (10 CDP points)
  3. Attend a half day in-person training with the Which Way? team (4 CPD points) to learn how to run groups – July date coming soon at Little Bay or the team can travel to your service!

Group Program Delivery After Training

The program consists of 6 flexible sessions that aim to deliver the knowledge and tools to support and empower women on their journey to being smoke and vape free. Each session contains information, activities and resources to make it easy to deliver groups. Session topics include:

  • Benefits of quitting smokes and vapes
  • Overcoming challenges to quitting
  • Changing behaviours and support to quit
  • Setting goals and developing a quit plan
  • Celebrating success and staying on track

The program has been designed to allow services to tailor the delivery and content. The in-person training will support services on how to do this.

What is the cost to sign up?

The program is free for AH&MRC Member Organisations who partner and contribute to the evaluation of the program. There are small grants available to support the costs of running groups in your community.

How to sign up?

Click here to access the Organisational Consent form, and a Which Way? team member will be in touch to give immediate access to the online training modules for your staff and book your team in to attend the half day in-person training.

Contact the team to have a yarn: whichway@newcastle.edu.au