Healthcare is meant to help everyone, but for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, standard healthcare systems do not always meet their needs.

Across Australia, Indigenous Australians tend to experience poorer health outcomes than non-Indigenous Australians in areas, including life expectancy, chronic illness, mental health, maternal health and access to healthcare.

Part of the problem is that many healthcare systems are designed around a “one-size-fits-all” approach. This assumes the same services, communication styles, and treatment methods will work equally well for everyone. But Indigenous Australians come from diverse communities with different cultures, languages, experiences and healthcare needs. What works for one group of people may not work for another. There is growing recognition that healthcare must become more culturally safe, flexible and community-led to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

For many Indigenous Australians, health goes beyond treating illness or injury and also includes emotional wellbeing, family, culture, language, spirituality and connection to Country. The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) explains that Aboriginal health should be viewed holistically to include the wellbeing of the whole community.

This is one reason why mainstream healthcare systems don’t always work well. A doctor may focus only on physical symptoms, while the patient may also be dealing with grief, housing stress, family responsibilities, trauma, or cultural disconnection. On top of this, many Indigenous Australians have experienced racism or discrimination within healthcare settings. Some may feel judged, ignored, or uncomfortable asking questions during appointments. The Australian Human Rights Commission has highlighted the impact racism can have on health and wellbeing, including making people less likely to seek medical care.

Cultural safety means creating healthcare settings where Indigenous Australians feel respected, heard and safe. This can include:

• Employing Aboriginal health workers
• Providing cultural awareness training for staff
• Respecting cultural practices and family involvement
• Using clear and respectful communication
• Creating welcoming healthcare spaces

Another reason “one-size-fits-all” healthcare fails is that Indigenous Australians are incredibly diverse. There are hundreds of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia, all with different cultures, traditions, languages and needs. Healthcare programs that work well in one community may not suit another. For example, healthcare challenges in remote Northern Territory communities can be very different from those faced by Indigenous families living in urban Sydney or Brisbane. It’s important to tailor healthcare programs to local communities rather than applying the same model everywhere.

Communication can also affect healthcare experiences. For some Indigenous Australians, English may not be their first language. Medical language and complex explanations can sometimes feel confusing or overwhelming, particularly during stressful situations.

Simple changes can help, such as:

• Using plain language
• Allowing more time during appointments
• Checking understanding carefully
• Using interpreters when needed
• Building trust over time

Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) have shown that Indigenous-led healthcare can improve outcomes. These services are run by Indigenous communities and focus on holistic care. Many offer healthcare alongside family support, mental health services, health education and community programs.

According to Closing the Gap, community-controlled organisations are important in reducing health inequalities because they are designed around local needs. People are often more comfortable using services where they feel understood and respected.

Improving Indigenous health outcomes does not mean creating entirely separate healthcare systems. It means building services that are flexible, respectful, culturally safe, and shaped by the people using them. Healthcare workers, schools, governments, and community organisations all have a role to play. But one of the most important steps is listening to Indigenous Australians.

For too long, Indigenous Australians have been expected to fit into healthcare systems that were not designed with their cultures, experiences, or communities in mind. While improvements have been made, many barriers still exist.

A “one-size-fits-all” healthcare system cannot properly support a population as diverse as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Better health outcomes come from culturally safe care, local leadership, flexible services, and genuine partnerships with communities.

Across Australia, more healthcare providers are beginning to understand that effective care is not just about treating illness – it is about listening, respecting culture, building trust and supporting the whole person.

When Indigenous Australians feel safe, heard, and included within healthcare systems, everyone benefits.