Eligible Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) can now apply for a total of $180 million in grant funding from the Albanese Government to improve their clinical buildings and other infrastructure.
This funding will support new buildings, as well as upgrades, repairs and maintenance to health infrastructure and housing for health professionals.
New, fit-for-purpose buildings and spaces will improve access to culturally safe health care for First Nations people, and support workforce recruitment and retention.
This funding builds on two previous grant rounds which supported the expansion and renewal of First Nations health infrastructure across Australia.
On average, completed projects report a 15 per cent increase in the number of health services provided to patients and a 40 per cent increase in staffing numbers compared to previous years.
The Albanese Government and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) co-designed Round 3 of the Closing the Gap Major Capital Works Program to fund projects that reflect ACCHO and community priorities.
Eligible ACCHOs can visit GrantConnect to apply. Applications close 7 September 2026.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
“The Albanese Government is committed to Closing the Gap in health outcomes for First Nations people.
“By working in partnership with NACCHO, we are ensuring our funding will go to projects which deliver positive outcomes for First Nations people and communities.
“All Australians deserve high-quality health care regardless of where they call home, with this funding to support First Nations health services in urban, regional, rural and remote areas.”
Quotes attributable to Minister McCarthy:
“Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services provide crucial medical care for First Nations families and are often the only health service available in remote communities.
“This funding will help strengthen the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector by supporting upgrades, repairs and new builds.
“This is a significant investment designed in partnership with NACCHO, in line with Closing the Gap Priority Reforms.”
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister White:
“This funding will deliver culturally safe and fit-for-purpose health infrastructure for First Nations people.
“The previous two grant rounds demonstrate that this program works. More staff and more services means better health care for First Nations people.
“In many remote communities, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services are the only health service available, making investments like this critical to delivering safe and ongoing care.”
Quotes attributable to NACCHO CEO Dr Dawn Casey PSM FAHA:
“Health infrastructure is health care. With the right clinic, an ACCHO can expand services, grow its workforce and provide culturally safe care closer to home.”
“Round 3 puts $180 million behind the infrastructure priorities ACCHOs have set, from new clinics and extensions to urgent repairs and fit-outs. In eligible rural and remote locations, it will also fund staff housing that helps services recruit and retain health professionals.”
“Community-controlled health infrastructure must be shaped by the communities and services that will use it. Priority Reform Two requires exactly that: communities identify what is needed, ACCHOs lead the response and government investment follows.”