Supporting Indigenous-led eye health systems
The Fred Hollows Foundation believes lasting change happens when communities have the leadership, resources and systems needed to shape their own health outcomes.
The Indigenous Australia Program does not replace existing health services or deliver all eye care directly. Instead, we work alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and partners to strengthen the systems that enable sustainable, culturally safe eye care. Our approach is built on:
Self-determination
Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, decision-making and ownership in eye health.
Partnership
Building long-term relationships grounded in trust, respect, consent and community priorities.
Systems change
Strengthening the workforce, services, evidence and structures needed for lasting improvements in eye health.
What we do
The Indigenous Australia Program works across three key areas.
Programs & Partnerships
We support partnerships that improve access to eye care and strengthen local eye health systems.
Our work includes:
- Supporting community-led eye health programs
- Strengthening outreach and referral pathways
- Supporting continuous improvement in eye health services
- Partnering with organisations to test, learn and share approaches that improve care
- Building strong relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and partners
- Supporting meaningful engagement to shape locally relevant eye health programs
We work across communities in the Northern Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia.
Policy & Advocacy
We advocate for stronger eye health systems and policies that improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Our advocacy is guided by:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership
- Self-determination
- Equity
- Long-term systems change
We work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders, organisations, governments and sector partners to ensure eye health remains a priority within Australia’s health agenda.
Data and Research Engagement (DARE)
Strong data and evidence help identify challenges, measure progress and support better decisions.
The DARE team works with partners to:
- Collect and analyse eye health data
- Measure impact
- Support research
- Share learnings across the sector
This helps build stronger evidence for sustainable improvements in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye health.
How we work
We recognise that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are best placed to understand their own priorities and lead solutions that work for their communities.
We support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and leaders to strengthen eye health services, build capability and influence the future of eye health in Australia.
We work by invitation
Our partnerships are built through listening, trust and respect.
We engage where invited and work alongside communities, organisations and health services to support priorities identified locally.
We strengthen systems, not just services
Ending avoidable blindness requires more than individual treatments. It requires strong, sustainable systems that support people throughout their eye health journey.
We work collaboratively
Improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye health requires collective action.
We work alongside Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs), peak bodies, governments, researchers and health sector partners to support shared goals and stronger systems.
Building the next generation of eye health leaders
A strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye health workforce is essential to creating lasting change.
The Indigenous Australia Program supports initiatives that build capability, create pathways into eye health careers and strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership.
A/Professor Dr Kris Rallah-Baker, Australia’s first Aboriginal ophthalmologist, is one example of what is possible when pathways into specialist healthcare are supported.
“From the very beginning, people can have barriers that will slow or stop them from accessing the healthcare they need. That’s why it’s important once they’re in the system that there are appropriate structures to support them through their journey.”
A clear vision for Palm Island
Partner spotlight
On Palm Island in Queensland, Bwgcolman woman Jeriah Coutts supports her community to access eye care through her role as Eye Health Coordinator at Bwgcolman Healing Service.
Jeriah’s work demonstrates the importance of locally led approaches built on cultural connection, trust and community knowledge.
Supported by The Fred Hollows Foundation and CheckUP since 2018, this partnership is helping strengthen eye health access for the Palm Island community.
“I’m lucky to do what I love, on the island that raised me. It’s more than a job — it’s about walking with my mob through their health journey.”
Resources
Learn more about our approach and work.
Learn more about the Indigenous Australia Program or explore opportunities to work with us.
Email UsFrequently asked questions
You can choose to support the Indigenous Australia Program specifically if that is your preference.
Your support helps strengthen eye health systems through partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, including programs, training, equipment, data and long-term system improvements.
We are committed to transparency and can provide more information about how donations are used and the impact they support.
We do support communities through partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations.
This approach ensures funding is managed by organisations that understand local priorities and are best placed to lead and deliver culturally appropriate services.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience significantly higher rates of vision loss than other Australians, much of which is preventable or treatable.
Our work aims to address this inequity by supporting stronger eye health systems and improving access to care.
While Australia has made significant progress, barriers to accessing eye care remain, particularly in remote and regional communities.
Our work focuses on strengthening local systems so people can access timely, culturally appropriate care closer to home.
