Our journey towards health equity
This timeline highlights key milestones in Queensland’s ongoing commitment to advancing health equity for First Nations peoples, reflecting coordinated policy, leadership and community partnerships.
2008
Original Closing the Gap agreement established
Lays the foundation for national efforts to improve outcomes for First Nations peoples.
2009–10
Making Tracks Policy and Accountability Framework and Investment Strategy launched
- Sets the strategic direction for Queensland’s health equity journey.
- $162.2 million over 4 years allocated to guide long-term health equity efforts.
2017
Queensland Human Rights Commission and Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC) release the health equity report
Addressing institutional barriers to health equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Queensland’s public hospital and health services provides a measurement of institutional racism within the health system.
2019
September 2019
Appointment of Chief First Nations Health Officer
First time a First Nations executive has held equal decision-making power at Queensland Health’s highest level.
December 2019
Growing Deadly Families strategy released
Emphasises cultural traditions, values and beliefs to provide safe maternal health services for mothers of First Nations babies.
2020
March 2020
First Nations COVID-19 Response Team established
The pandemic presented unique challenges for First Nations peoples, requiring a tailored, community-led response.
National Agreement on Closing the Gap released
Queensland Health commits to 3 key health targets:
- Close the gap in life expectancy within a generation by 2031.
- By 2031, increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies with a healthy birthweight to 91%.
- Significant and sustained reduction in suicide of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples towards zero.
2020–21
Health equity legislation and supporting regulations passed
Amendments to the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011 mandate:
- First Nations membership on each Hospital and Health Board across the state
- each hospital and health service (HHS) working with First Nations communities and organisations to co-design, co-deliver and co-monitor health equity strategies with key performance measures as agreed with the Chief First Nations Health Officer to improve health and wellbeing outcomes
- increasing and ensuring equitable access to healthcare
- delivering sustainable, culturally safe and responsive healthcare services
- influencing the social, cultural and economic determinants of health
- increasing First Nations representation across all employment categories and levels proportionate to the First Nations population in the HHS service area
- actively eliminating racial discrimination and institutional racism within the HHS.
2021
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Clinical Network established
Key Queensland Health initiative focused on improving healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
2022
Formation of the First Nations Health Workforce Taskforce
Established to support workforce growth, education and career pathways, models of care, and system reform and leadership.
2022–23
Health equity strategies and implementation plans published
All 16 hospital and health services co-designed and released 3-year strategies and implementation plans with First Nations communities.
2023
January 2023
First Nations Health Leads Forum established
Strengthens strategic leadership and co-design in system performance and accountability.
June 2023
Doomadgee rheumatic heart disease (RHD) inquest findings released
Examines the circumstances that led to the deaths of 3 young First Nations women in 2019 and 2020, finding failures in care.
June 2023
Queensland Audit Office report released
Assesses effectiveness of health equity strategies and recommends improvements in cultural safety, access and workforce development.
June 2023
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce Certified Agreement (No.1) 2019 released
A groundbreaking agreement, which included a new classification stream, new salary arrangements and new entitlements.
2024
January 2024
Implementation of the medication co-payment subsidy
Enables First Nations peoples in Queensland public hospitals to access prescribed medications free of charge.
February 2024
First Nations First Strategy 2032 launched
Places First Nations peoples at the centre of healthcare design and delivery.
August 2024
Achieving health equity in cancer care with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders framework launched
- Addresses the disproportionate burden of cancer experienced by First Nations Queenslanders.
- Implemented in partnership with QAIHC through the Queensland Cancer Strategy 2024.
September 2024
Chief Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce Officer appointed
Inaugural position established to build career pathways and leadership for First Nations health professionals.
September 2024
Queensland First Nations Peoples Burden of Disease report released
Provides evidence of a 4% reduction in the overall burden of disease and a 17% reduction in the cardiovascular disease burden (2011 to 2018).
October 2024
Implementation of the medication co-payment subsidy
Enables First Nations peoples in Queensland public hospitals to access prescribed medications free of charge.
2024–25
Major investment in First Nations strategy and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Organisation sector announced
$324.7 million committed to support First Nations First Strategy 2032 and Closing the Gap reforms.
2025
July 2025
First Nations palliative care project launched
Improves end-of-life care through culturally appropriate resources, with a focus on workforce, education and systems development with First Nations Queenslanders.
Review of health equity strategies
All hospital and health services to update strategies based on evaluation commissioned by the First Nations Health Office.