Aboriginal allied health workforce

As part of an Aboriginal-led research team, we are working to help the NSW Ministry of Health increase the number of Aboriginal people entering, and staying in, the allied health workforce.

Our mixed methods research drew on the western science and Indigenous research experience of the team.

We carried out a literature review to develop a baseline, and to inform the body of the research, which was the qualitative data gathered from a wide range of people – Indigenous and not, working in government and working outside, working as clinicians and working as managers. Our interviews started with those concerned with secondary school students and their families, covered studies at universities and TAFE and other registered training organisations, moved into the workplace and explored the views of those who had left it.

We carried out 50 interviews and 8 group discussions. We were assisted greatly by an Aboriginal Health Advisory Group and by an Expert Reference Group.

Results will be available soon.