Australian Indigenous Doctors' Association

29/03/2026

🔊 Call for Abstracts now OPEN for the AIDA 2026 Conference

We are pleased to share that the AIDA 2026 Conference website, registrations and Call for Abstracts are now live.

📍 Join us this September on Whadjuk Country as we come together around our 2026 theme: Healing Strong: Culture, Care and Collective Wellness

✍🏽️ We are inviting abstract submissions for:
✅ Oral Presentations
✅ The Quick and The Deadly
✅ Poster Presentations
✅ Interactive and Post‑Conference Workshops
✅ Our newly introduced Experience sessions

💡 We welcome submissions from AIDA members, organisations, peak bodies and all those working to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, wellbeing and the health workforce. Workshops are encouraged across career stages, from medical students through to specialists.

🗓️ Abstract submissions close 15 May 2026
🔗 View guidelines and submit your abstract here:
https://aida2026conference.eventsair.site/guidelines

🤝🏽 Please share and encourage your networks to submit.

25/03/2026

What a HUGE success our Newcastle Member Gathering was! 🙌🏾 On 6 March, AIDA Members and their families came together for a relaxed BBQ, giant games and an incredible BBQ feed.

It was one of those special gatherings that reminded us what AIDA is all about: connection, culture, and Community. 💚🤍💙🖤💛❤️ Seeing David Parsons join us after his recent accident was incredibly moving, and we’re also grateful to Dr Paul Craven (Executive Director of Medical Services, Hunter New England Health) for taking the time to come along.

After such a special day, we’re already excited for the next one. ✅ RSVP by 27 April: https://my.aida.org.au/EventDetail?EventKey=2026SEQBRI

23/03/2026

✨ We’re excited to welcome four AIDA members to the 2026 Conference Working Group, delivering this year’s Conference on Whadjuk Country in September.

👏🏼 Dr Simone Raye
👏🏼 Dr Tamika Ponton
👏🏼 Allysha Jensen
👏🏼 Sharn Avery

Welcome them in the comments below 👇🏽

🔗 Get to know them better: https://aida2026conference.eventsair.site/conference-working-group

22/03/2026

Earlier this year, the Australian Government Department of Social Services launched the first national standalone plan of its kind: Our Ways – Strong Ways – Our Voices. National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Plan to End Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence 2026-2036.

Developed with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities to ensure it reflects our voices, leadership and priorities, the plan aims to create long-term, Community-led change that strengthens safety, healing and wellbeing. We encourage you to learn more and share this plan with your networks, as it will help guide governments, Communities and organisations towards a future where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, children and families live free from violence.

🎥 Watch the animation below to learn more about the guiding threads of Our Ways – Strong Ways – Our Voices. https://youtu.be/AtuBIIjbDik?si=gie7FwNjSP0qdGAm

📖 Read the full plan here: https://www.dss.gov.au/first-nations-national-plan-end-family-domestic-and-sexual-violence/resource/our-ways-strong-ways-our-voices-national-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-plan-end-family-domestic-and-sexual-violence-2026-2036

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

20/03/2026

Today, on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, AIDA stands firm in our commitment to fairness, respect and equity for all Australians. Racism has no place in our Communities or our health system.

🍃 Cultural safety isn’t optional, it’s essential. When we deepen our understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health perspectives, we help create safer spaces and challenge the conditions that allow discrimination to continue.

🍃 Putting this commitment into action, AIDA offers Cultural Safety training for individuals and organisations. Find out more: https://aida.org.au/cultural-safety-program/

20/03/2026

✨ Due to popular demand, we’ve opened a new date for our Cultural Safety Workshop on Wurundjeri Land, happening Monday 27 April 2026.

Led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors and cultural educators, this workshop invites participants to:
✅ Deepen their understanding of First Nations cultures and histories
✅ Reflect on the impact of attitudes and values in clinical practice
✅ Build practical skills for delivering culturally safe care

✏️ Accredited CPD workshop (or equivalent)
🗓️ Register by 23 April: https://my.aida.org.au/EventDetail?EventKey=MELBAPR26

18/03/2026

On National Close the Gap Day, we encourage everyone to stay informed and take meaningful action by joining today’s online launch of Community Voices: The Pathway to Justice, Equality and Healing - the 2026 Close the Gap report.

⚠️ If you haven’t registered yet, do it ASAP to attend the live stream: bit.ly/3Ms2E30

Hear from sector leaders to reflect on the powerful work happening across our communities, and the reforms still needed to achieve justice, equality, and healing.

Today and every day, AIDA reaffirms our commitment to growing a strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical workforce through advocacy, leadership, cultural mentorship, and support programs for First Nations medical students and doctors.

🗞️ Read AIDA's full statement: https://aida.org.au/media-release/close-the-gap-report/

18/03/2026

AIDA welcomes the inclusion of Schedule B: Better Outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the five-year Addendum to the National Health Reform Agreement (NHRA).

This is an important step in recognising that health equity for our Communities must be built into the health system and delivered consistently across all jurisdictions.

AIDA is proud to have supported this work through our involvement with national First Nations health leadership groups, including the National Indigenous Health Leadership Alliance (NIHLA). We will continue to work alongside governments, health services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders to help turn these commitments into real change for our members and Communities.

🗞️ Read more: aida.org.au/media-release/aida-welcomes-scheduleb/

15/03/2026

During Harmony Week, we invite all Australians to celebrate our vibrant multiculturalism and reflect on how we can engage in honest conversations about our past, present and future – recognising where we can improve and finding new ways to live together in greater harmony.

Today, and every day, we also honour the strength, diversity and enduring cultural richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our shared values of respect, equality and freedom continue to connect us across cultures and communities.

📸: Tiwi Islands Women Choir performing by Karrawirra Parri (The River Torrens) on Kaurna Country with fellow delegates and guests of PRIDoC 2024

13/03/2026

“We represent our members, and their voices must be embedded in the work that we do.”

In his first interview, our new CEO Dr Peter Malouf shares what it means to lead AIDA as a member organisation grounded in Culture, Community and Country. He also reflects on the long‑standing relationships and experience he brings from across the health, academic and community-controlled sectors.

Read the full interview below.
🔗 https://aida.org.au/ceo-news/meet-aida-ceo-dr-peter-malouf/

Meet AIDA’s new CEO, Dr Peter Malouf. A proud Wakka Wakka and Wuli Wuli man with more than 25 years' experience across the health and education sectors.

11/03/2026

Our AIDA CEO, Dr Peter Malouf, and Executive Assistant, Justine Law, have been speaking to attendees of Australian Health Week at AIDA's exhibiting booth. They've loved connecting with AIDA members, leaders and innovators who are advancing better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities.

Come down today or tomorrow and visit us for a yarn! 🧶

10/03/2026

👋🏽 Here’s your March round‑up of current opportunities to explore... take a look and share widely.

✨ Dr Assan Heath Sam Scholarship | ANZEF
Applications open until 10/03/2026 (CLOSES TODAY)
https://anzef.org/scholarships/

✨ Newcastle 2026 Prep for SET | RACS
Applications open until 15/03/2026
https://events.surgeons.org/signin?ReturnUrl=/event/sessions?id=NSWPfP20260301

✨ Young Deadly Free: Advisory Group | UQ
Applications open until 20/03/2026
https://youngdeadlyfree.org.au/about-us/

✨ Aboriginal Trainee Doctors’ Forum NSW | HETI, AIDA
Applications open until 27/03/2026
https://www.heti.nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/courses-and-programs/nsw-aboriginal-trainee-doctors-forum

✨ Trauma Workshop | Health Workforce Queensland
Applications open until 29/03/2026
https://www.healthworkforce.com.au/events/trauma-workshop-1

✨ Indigenous health papers | MJA
Applications open until 31/03/2026
https://www.mja.com.au/journal/instructions-authors-reviewers

✨ Scholarships & Grants Program | RACS
Applications open until 14/04/2026
https://www.surgeons.org/Resources/Member-benefits/scholarships-and-grants-program

✨ SMO various sites | TCHHS
Many deadlines
https://www.careers.health.qld.gov.au/

✨ WA Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector Conference | AHCWA
Applications open until 20/05/2026
https://events.ahcwa.org.au/2026-wa-aboriginal-community-controlled-health-sector-conference

✨ New genetic testing checklist | Cancer Council Victoria
Applications open until 31/12/2026
https://www.cancervic.org.au/downloads/health-professionals/general-practice/familial-cancer-centre-checklist.pdf

Does your organisation have an opportunity to share with AIDA? Submit your details! aida.org.au/members/member-opportunities/