Aboriginal Patient Advocacy Training

Build practical skills to support Aboriginal people to understand their healthcare rights and navigate the WA health system.

Aboriginal people can face racism, culturally unsafe care and other barriers when accessing healthcare.

If you work with or support Aboriginal people, this free, full-day workshop will help you understand the health system, recognise healthcare rights and provide practical advocacy support.

This workshop is for people who work with or support Aboriginal people through:

• Aboriginal community organisations

• Community and support services

• Health and mental health services

• Advocacy and case management

• Family and social services

• Government and not-for-profit organisations

No previous patient advocacy training is required.

By the end of this workshop, you will have a stronger understanding of:

• What culturally safe healthcare looks like

• How racism and culturally unsafe care affect health and access to services

• How the WA health system works

• The healthcare rights of patients, families and carers

• Practical patient advocacy skills

• How to recognise and manage conflicts of interest

• Vicarious trauma and ways to look after yourself

• When, how and where to refer someone for further support

This workshop was developed in partnership with Aboriginal health, health advocacy and human rights organisations.

It aims to strengthen health rights knowledge and advocacy skills across the community, community services and health sectors.

The workshop includes practical learning, discussion and opportunities to ask questions.

• Date: Wednesday 11 November 2026

• Time: 9.00 am to 4.00 pm AWST

• Location: Health Consumers’ Council WA, Unit 4, 434 Lord Street, Mount Lawley

• Format: In person

• Cost: Free

• Catering: TBC

Places are limited

This is a small workshop designed to support discussion, questions and practical learning.

Please register only if you expect to attend the full workshop. If your plans change, cancel your registration as soon as possible so we can offer your place to someone on the waitlist.

If the workshop is full, you can join the waitlist. We may offer another session if there is enough interest.

Tania Harris is HCCWA's Advocacy and Engagement Manager and Aboriginal and Disability Engagement Lead.

Tania is an Aboriginal woman originally from Queensland. Prior to coming to the Health Consumers’ Council, Tania worked on various Aboriginal programs from ear health to parenting support. She has a special interest in the areas of disability and young people, and how their engagement and empowerment in the health system can be supported and encouraged from an early age.

Health Consumers’ Council WA is an independent not-for-profit organisation that champions the rights and interests of health consumers across Western Australia.

This workshop is offered free of charge through HCCWA’s core funding agreement with the WA Department of Health.

After the workshop, you can explore further training, health rights information and advocacy resources through Health Consumers’ Council WA.

You can also:

• Follow HCCWA on Humanitix to hear about future events
• Explore HCCWA training and events: https://www.hconc.org.au/what-we-do/workshops/
• Join the Health Engagement Network: https://www.healthengagement.org.au/

Register for free training

Places are limited. Reserve your place if you can attend the full workshop.