Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council of NSW
Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council of NSW
The Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW (AH&MRC) was established in 1985 to represent and support the network of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) across New South Wales. These services are governed by Aboriginal communities and deliver comprehensive, culturally safe primary health care to Aboriginal people.
From its earliest years, AH&MRC has been committed to strengthening the Aboriginal health workforce. Recognising that community-controlled services thrive when their people have the right skills, AH&MRC began coordinating training and development opportunities for ACCHO staff, board members, and community leaders.
In the 1990s and early 2000s, this support focused on compliance, governance, and clinical skills through sector workshops and in-service training. As the ACCHO network grew in size and scope, AH&MRC expanded its approach to include structured professional development pathways and formal qualifications.
In 2010, AH&MRC became a Registered Training Organisation (RTO ID: 91020), enabling it to deliver nationally recognised qualifications in Aboriginal Primary Health Care, Community Services, Leadership and Management, and other areas critical to ACCHOs. This ensured members could access accredited training contextualised for Aboriginal community-controlled health settings.
Since then, AH&MRC has built a comprehensive workforce capability program for its members, including:
Today, AH&MRC continues to provide professional development that is practical, culturally safe, and directly linked to ACCHO service delivery. The free micro-credential platform extends this commitment by offering accessible, role-specific learning for all ACCHOs in NSW, ensuring that staff at every level have the skills and confidence to deliver high-quality care for their communities.