Building Stronger Communities Together

Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation
Our Story

We are all part of something bigger, helping to shape a stronger future for Yolŋu .

At Miwatj Health we are helping the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our communities across East Arnhem Land assume control over their health through our Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service (ACCHS).

In addition to our Miwatj clinical services, acute care and longer-term preventive care, our Aboriginal health service focus’ on education and primary prevention programs to tackle the most important risk factors for Aboriginal health in this region. Today, half of our Miwatj workforce are Yolŋu , however, we also depend on health professionals from elsewhere who work together with Yolŋu staff, and the wider community.

If you’re interested in contributing to a better future for Yolŋu, Anindilyakwa and Nunggubuyu people, explore current career opportunities at Miwatj Health.

Our Miwatj Health

An independent, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service

The initial concept for an independent, Aboriginal controlled health organisation for East Arnhem, providing culturally appropriate primary health care services, was formed by Aboriginal leaders representing the communities of our region.

Once endorsed, Miwatj Health was established in 1992 ‘to provide resources and support to Yolŋu to enable them to assume control over the delivery of health services to the people of the Miwatj region’.

Today Miwatj Health continues to improve the health and wellbeing services to our Aboriginal communities across East Arnhem Land. We provide culturally appropriate and comprehensive primary health care, including walk-in services, fixed clinics and outreach workers, with an emphasis on preventative and acute care.

Our Miwatj Health Careers

A life-changing opportunity

Miwatj Health offers a wide range of career opportunities for skilled health professionals, in a remote area health environment. Our clinics are staffed by General Practitioners, Remote Area Nurses, Aboriginal Health Practitioners and Aboriginal Community Workers, as well as a range of business support staff.

At our Aboriginal health service, we provide comprehensive primary healthcare, including treatment, prevention, early detection, rehabilitation and recovery, and clinical support systems.

We have a strong focus on public health to protect and improve population health through education, encouraging healthy lifestyles and advocating for structural improvements that impact the social determinants of health. Miwatj works closely in partnership with other Indigenous health organisations and Government bodies to advance the public health goals.

If you have strong, collaborative teamwork skills, want a rewarding experience contributing to a healthier future for Yolŋu and their communities, we invite you to view our remote area health Careers page.

Our Miwatj Health Communities

We are all part of something bigger, helping to shape a stronger future for Yolŋu.

At Miwatj Health, we are helping the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our communities across East Arnhem Land to assume control over their health. This is done through our Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service (ACCHS).

Miwatj Health provides comprehensive Primary Health Care services, including treatment, prevention, early detection, rehabilitation and recovery and clinical support systems. Miwatj practices from an evidence-based best practice model.

Our clinics are staffed by General Practitioners, Remote Area Nurses, Aboriginal Health Practitioners and Aboriginal Community Workers, and a range of business support staff. Our clinics are Australia General Practice Accreditation Limited (AGPAL) accredited.

Miwatj clinics in Zone 2 provide emergency and on-call response and are supported by Care Flight for medical evacuations. The Commonwealth Government fund visiting allied health services to Miwatj communities and specialist outreach is provided by Top End Health Service (NT Health).

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Read About The Barra Ward

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Read About The Bulunu Ward

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Read About The Mamarika Ward

"Being here is a way for me to give back to the community who gave me so much."

"Bring an open heart and mind and genuine respects for the Yolŋu people and in return you'll experience their rare and rich way of life."

"If you come with an open heart, the Yolŋu will embrace you and welcome them into their lives."

"Despite the complexity of work, life is simpler here... people can find peace and fulfillment... far from the distractions and luxuries of urban life."

Our Miwatj Health Services

We have a strong focus on Public Health which is to protect and improve population health through education, encouraging healthy lifestyles and advocating for structural improvements that impact the social determinants of health. Miwatj Health works closely in partnership with other organisations to advance the above goals of Public Health.

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NDIS Services

NDIS is an Australian scheme providing a new way for individuals with disabilities to get the support they need.

NDIS invests early in children with disabilities to improve their quality of life significantly, and ensures they need less funded support later in life.

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Social & Emotional Well Being (SEWB) Services

Our program assists our communities in dealing with family violence, clan conflict, self-harm, alcohol and drug misuse through crisis intervention, early intervention and prevention through the ‘stepped care’ framework for mental health and wellbeing.

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Mental Health Services

Our team works in an integrated way across Miwatj clinic GP’s and other clinic based Primary Health Care programs. The program aims to provide culturally safe mental health services that address the needs of our Indigenous communities. This ensure that clients access the right service, at the right time, and in a manner that appropriately meets their needs.

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Public Health

The purpose of Public Health is to protect and improve the health of Indigenous communities through a variety of different ways.

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Renal Services

The kidney disease profile among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, when compared to the non-Indigenous population is significantly higher.

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Primary Health Care

Successfully delivering primary health care in remote parts of the Northern Territory requires a flexible approach.

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Regional Health Needs

Miwatj works hard to achieve good results for many health indicators through a broad community health agenda.

In The Press

Miwatj Health team at Parliamentary Inquiry into Diabetes

Miwatj Health team at Parliamentary Inquiry into Diabetes

Miwatj Health team attending the Parliamentary Inquiry into Diabetes to present evidence to the committee in Darwin, scoped from the Diabetes across the LIFECOURSE NT project in partnership with Menzies School of Health Research. The submission provided a clear summary of evidence on the impact of diabetes, specifically type 2 diabetes for Yolgu in the Northern Territory.

Gunyaŋara Youth Holiday Program

Gunyaŋara Youth Holiday Program

In December and January Miwatj Health worked with the Marngarr Resource Centre (MRC) to run a Youth Holiday Program for the benefit of the Gunyaŋara community.

Miwatj Health on Tour

Miwatj Health on Tour

Miwatj Health staff are spread from Darwin to Nhulunbuy, and multiple locations in between. This month, however, they travelled further afield, with groups crossing borders to head down south and west. Read on to find out why.

Let's Build Stronger Communities Together

Get in touch with the team at Miwatj Health today