Indigenous Health Leadership Program

2027 Program update

We are reviewing and resetting the program to ensure it continues to meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health leaders.

We'll share the program's next steps and future intake dates once they are confirmed. To hear about a future intake, submit an expression of interest.

About the program

The Indigenous health leadership program is an exciting opportunity to explore your leadership potential, affect change in Indigenous
health and broaden your ideas of leadership and networking.

Designed for Indigenous health professionals
with sound experience working in the health sector in community, policy, academia, government or clinical areas with leadership responsibilities.

As a Fellow you'll

Learn

Explore Indigenous leadership philosophies
Deepen your understanding of Indigenous health leadership discourse, models and theories
Gain insights to improving Indigenous health outcomes

Develop & Connect

Increase awareness of your leadership potential
Develop a personal leadership narrative
Build richer, stronger and more diverse networks across the health sector
Connect with national and international Indigenous health leaders

Our Leadership Network

Since 2017, more than 60 Indigenous health leaders have completed the Melbourne Poche Indigenous Health Leadership Program, creating a national network across community, government, universities, research and clinical practice.

Meet our Fellows

Program content

Each module is delivered across different contexts to foster engagement, collaboration and leadership diversity

Module 1 - Storying Indigenous health leadership and philosophy

Module 2 - Positioning Indigenous health leadership globally

Module 3 - Harnessing local Indigenous health leadership

Program outcomes

Advance Indigenous health leadership

Elevate and progress disciplinary and industry engagement in Indigenous health, by fusing Indigenous knowledges and values, with political and social theories.

Develop confident leaders

Build the confidence, self-efficacy, motivation and sense of purpose of Fellows.

Build lasting connections

Bring Fellows together in a richly interconnected program that supports leadership development

Program information

Travel to module locations
Accommodation
Most meals
Program materials, including workbooks and textbooks

The 2026 program had a $5,500 fee.

This fee goes toward a small portion of the program costs and is only payable once Fellows have been accepted. As a professional development program, there is an expectation employers will cover this fee.

There will be modest out of pocket expenses for some meals, short uber/taxi travel and other minor expenses during the program.

A number of scholarships are available to applicants working at an ACCHO, and two scholarships are available for applicants working at a MACH partner organisation.

This comprehensive program will demand a substantial time and energy commitment from Fellows to assist them in their leadership development.

Prior to applying for the program, please ensure you are available to attend all three modules and are willing to undertake the necessary travel both domestically and internationally.

It is critical you have the support of your work/study supervisor and organisation to attend.

Necessary paperwork, including Health and Safety Risk Assessments and website profiles are part of the program. It is expected you respond promptly to these requests.

Travel

A valid Australian or New Zealand passport with at least six months validity from the date of travel is essential.

A reasonable level of fitness is required as there is a certain amount of walking, including off-road. Please contact our team to discuss any accessibility questions.

Accommodation

There will be a range of accommodation, including shared cabins. We will not accommodate partners or family members during the modules.

Partners, family or friends

Given the nature of the program and the commitment required, it is expected that Fellows are focused on the program and the cohort, which includes evening events and collective meals.

The program does not support partners, family members or friends travelling alongside Fellows for any of the modules.

Questions about the program?

Please contact the Melbourne Poche Centre for Indigenous Health team.

Email: poche-centre@unimelb.edu.au