This resource was developed with the support of the QAIHC ACCHO Sector Orientation Governance Committee and endorsed by the committee in March 2026.

Members of the Committee:

Mr Stevan Ober, CEO of Galangoor Duwalami Primary Health Care Service

Mrs Sheryl Lawton, CEO of CWAATSICH (Charleville and Western Areas Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Community Health)

Mrs Rachel Atkinson, CEO of Palm Island Community Company

Mrs Paula Arnol, Acting CEO QAIHC

Credits:

Project Lead: Associate Professor Sophia Couzos, QAIHC Public Health Medical Director

Project Managers: Mr Jack Carty, QAIHC Design Manager and Ms Samantha Townsend, QAIHC Communications Manager.

Contributors:

Dr Mary Martin, founding member of ATSICHS Brisbane
Renee Blackman, CEO of ATSICHS Brisbane
Adrian Carson, IUIH CEO (2011–2024), QAIF/QAIHC CEO (2003–2008, 2010)
Sheryl Lawton, CEO of CWAATSICH (Charleville and Western Areas Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Community Health)
Rachel Atkinson, CEO of Palm Island Community Company
Paula Arnol, Acting CEO QAIHCAdrian Carson, Principal at Create Health and former CEO of IUIH
Dea Delaney-Thiele, CEO NACCHO (2003-2010)
Dr Fadwa Al-Yaman, Head, First Nations of Health and Welfare Group, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Frank Vincent, founding member of Mount Druitt AMS, former NACCHO board member.
Haylene Grogan, former Chief First Nations Health Officer
Dulcie Flower, founding member of AMS Redfern
Professor Ian Wronski, former ACCHO physician
John Maris, CWAATSICH founding Board member
Vicki Ross, Executive Assistant to the CEO, CWAATSICH and former Aboriginal Health Worker
Dr Richard Mills, Senior GP – Clinical Improvement, IUIH
Les Collins, founding member of ATSICHS Brisbane
Heather Lee, Cultural Development Manager at TAIHS and Aboriginal Health Worker
Troy Williams, SEWB and NDIS Coordinator, CWAATSICH
Associate Professor Sophia Couzos, QAIHC Public Health Medical Director
Karl Briscoe, CEO of NAATSIHWP

This resource has been developed using publicly available information and through consultation with key informants and sector experts. The content is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication.

The information is current as at the date of first publication and is provided as general guidance only. It is not intended to be exhaustive and does not constitute legal, clinical, or professional advice. Readers should refer to current legislation, Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS), Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) requirements, and relevant policies before making clinical or administrative decisions.

To the extent permitted by law, QAIHC and its employees and agents disclaim all liability (including liability for negligence) for any loss, damage, cost or expense incurred as a result of reliance on the information contained in this resource.

This project is supported through the Specialist Training Program (STP) Support Project Funding, provided by the Australian Government through the Department of Health and administered by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. The funding aims to strengthen specialist training opportunities and support initiatives that improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

This learning resource contains Indigenous Data which means information or knowledge which is about and may affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples both collectively and individually. The Intellectual Property of the Indigenous Data contained in this resource remains vested in the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council or the relevant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who provided or to which the Indigenous Data relates.

Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council. Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) Sector Orientation Modules. QAIHC, Brisbane, 2026 www.acchosectororientation.com.au

For feedback, suggestions and/or corrections relating to these learning modules, email: acchosectororientation@qaihc.com.au

QAIHC Mailing Address:
The Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC)
36 Russell Street, South Brisbane QLD 4101, Australia

QAIHC Phone Number: (07) 3328 8500