Director - First Nations Health

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Austin Health is the major provider of tertiary health services, health professional education and research across three campuses in the north-east of Melbourne and statewide. We have a highly engaged, diverse and collaborative workforce that is unified by our goal to help people live healthy and fulfilled lives. 

About the First Nations Health Unit

The First Nations Health Unit brings the know-how to aid our organisation to realise our vision for reconciliation - where all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have access to just, equitable and culturally safe healthcare. We will contribute to this vision by:

• Embedding the voices and perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples into the co-design of culturally safe and appropriate care.
• Building strong and enduring relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples including community stakeholders, suppliers and our employees.
• Creating an environment across all our sites where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are welcomed, valued and respected.
• Truth telling and improving institutional knowledge and understanding of the traumatic impact of unjust policies, practices, structures and racism on health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

Additionally, we recognise that providing meaningful employment and development opportunities has the potential to transform the lives of First Nations People, their families and the community. We understand that employing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff will support our patients and have a significantly positive impact on the care that we provide them and the experience of their community who support them through their health journey.

Accordingly, the First Nations Health Unit will support the organisation in taking deliberate steps to increase our Aboriginal workforce, encouraging them with their career goals and aspirations and ensuring that they feel safe and supported in their roles. We hope to position Austin Health as an employer of choice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

About the role 

We are looking for a highly engaged and passionate Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander leader to join us as our inaugural Director of First Nations Health. 

In this role, you will be responsible for the leadership and oversight of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health at Austin Health, including management of the cultural care provided to First Nations patients and the support and development of First Nations employees. You will set the strategic direction for high quality First Nations care that meets the health and wellbeing needs of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

About you 

As the Director of First Nations Health, you will be someone who has excellent communication skills, with a strong commitment to excellence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patient care and employment. 

To be successful in this role you'll bring with you:

• Strong understanding of and support for the development of First Nations health and wellbeing. 
• Expertise and high-level understanding of the issues relating to First Nations healthcare, employment, education and culture
• Demonstrated leadership and experience as a senior manager in a large complex organisation
• Strong connections with the First Nations community and the ability to develop and maintain relationships with both internal and external stakeholders, including Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.

Our benefits 

Working at Austin Health means enjoying a strong sense of purpose, engaging in meaningful work every day. Our people also receive a variety of rewarding benefits, including: 

• Greater take-home pay through generous salary packaging, for living expenses, meals, and holiday accommodation. 
• A suite of wellness initiatives designed to support you, including discounted fitness memberships and special offers on health insurance, and a comprehensive wellbeing program. 
• Onsite childcare at Austin Hospital, easy access via public transport and car parking options. 
• Mentoring and career development opportunities. 

Work with us 

We are committed to cultural safety and health equity for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander People. We celebrate, value, and include people of all backgrounds, genders, identities, cultures, bodies, and abilities. We welcome and support applications from talented people identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, people with disability, neurodiverse people, LGBTQIA+ and people of all ages and cultures. 

If you feel this role is right for you, we encourage your early application. Even if you don't meet every single requirement, we encourage you to apply. What matters most is your passion, your drive and your willingness to learn and contribute. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place prior to the closing date. This means we reserve the right to close a job ad prior to the advertised closing date. 

All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory National Police Check and if required, a Working With Children Check. If you require any reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process, you are welcome to reach out to the hiring manager: Brit Gordon, Chief Allied Health Officer at

Interested in finding out more about this opportunity? Read the position description for further details. 

Application closing date: Thursday 28 August 2025