Aboriginal health careers and support

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Aboriginal health careers and support

First Nations peoples work in various roles across Justice Health NSW to provide healthcare to patients in custody and the Forensic Hospital. While First Nations peoples can work within any position in Justice Health NSW, there are also clinical and non-clinical identified roles in Justice Health NSW that only Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples can apply for.

As a First Nations employee, regardless of whether you are in an identified position or not, you will have access to support during orientation and throughout your employment with Justice Health NSW to ensure your experience is positive.

The Workforce Development Coordinator, Aboriginal Health Unit, will be able to assist in connecting you with the Aboriginal Health Unit team, Aboriginal workforce, cultural supervision sessions, and training and development pathways for your chosen career.

All staff undertake 'Respecting the Difference' training to ensure that First Nations patients are welcomed to a culturally respectful environment.

Visit NSW Health's Aboriginal Workforce in NSW Health Resources.

“As an Aboriginal person working in a centre that is built on my country, I have a commitment and passion to serve and support my Mob and the Mob from other areas. We also educate the clinical team we work with about our people and the best way to engage and provide those services.”

Justice Health NSW Aboriginal Health Worker.

David Dungay Jr Scholarship

David Dungay Jr was a 26-year-old Aboriginal man who tragically passed away at Long Bay Correctional Centre in 2015. Since David’s passing, his family, friends and community have rallied tirelessly to improve the safety and wellbeing of Aboriginal people in custody.

In recognising the vital role Aboriginal staff play in supporting Aboriginal people in custody, Justice Health NSW together with David’s family initiated an annual scholarship to further the development of Aboriginal health staff.

The David Dungay Jr Scholarship will be awarded annually to any dedicated Aboriginal staff member employed across Justice Health NSW and includes $5000 to be used on professional development and career advancement opportunities.

The delivery of culturally responsive and culturally informed care is a key part of improving Aboriginal health outcomes, with the scholarship supporting prioritisation of care and programs for Aboriginal adults and young people who are in contact with the criminal justice system.

Aboriginal Health Unit

The Aboriginal Health Unit is a strategy and engagement-focused unit within Justice Health NSW that is responsible for improving Aboriginal Health service outcomes and strengthening the Aboriginal workforce.

This unit will be able to collaborate with your line manager and the People and Culture Unit to assist in providing cultural leadership and engage cultural resources that you may require throughout your employment.

Aboriginal Workforce

The Aboriginal workforce within Justice Health NSW is statewide.

To connect the workforce, all First Nations employees are encouraged to attend the annual Aboriginal Workforce Forum and the bi-monthly Aboriginal Workforce Meetings. These are both regular opportunities to meet staff, discuss issues and ideas, and share in each other's work experiences and achievements.

Yamarrah Clinical and Cultural Supervision

These are individual confidential sessions facilitated by Yamarrah, an external organisation to Justice Health NSW. They are there to have a yarn when needed and aim to support the wellbeing of Aboriginal staff by balancing work and cultural demands. These sessions are not mandatory but are recommended.