Chief Aboriginal Health Officer (50D)

About Derbarl

The Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service (DYHS) was established in 1974 and is the largest Aboriginal community-controlled health service provider in Western Australia, providing care to over 20,000 Aboriginal patients across four clinics in East Perth, Mirrabooka, Maddington and Midland. Our staff enable the delivery of culturally responsive primary health services, focusing on prevention, early intervention, comprehensive care and care coordination including chronic disease management. We are in an exciting phase of growth, innovation and service transformation — and we’re seeking an exceptional Aboriginal health leader to step into one of our most influential executive roles — Chief Aboriginal Health Officer.

The Opportunity

As the Chief Aboriginal Health Officer, you will champion Aboriginal-led health design, prevention services, cultural safety, research, and education across DYHS and the broader WA health system. You will provide authoritative advice to the CEO and Board, oversee our Aboriginal Health Systems & Reform Division, and drive innovation in areas such as chronic disease prevention, maternal and child health, early childhood development, mental health, AOD, family and domestic violence prevention, and adolescent health promotion.

Your leadership will ensure that our services remain culturally safe, trauma-informed, evidence-based, and community driven. This is a rare and prestigious opportunity to shape the future of Aboriginal health and lead meaningful change across Nyoongar Boodjar.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Aboriginal health leadership across DYHS and partner agencies.
• Cultural safety frameworks, preventive health strategies, and research priorities.
• High-level partnerships with universities, peak bodies, WA Health, WAPHA, MHC and key stakeholders.
• Quality, governance and risk frameworks across service delivery.
• Professional development, mentoring, and capability-building for multidisciplinary teams.
• Systems improvement to achieve health equity and contribute to Closing the Gap targets Community health service innovation and models of care grounded in Aboriginal knowledge systems.

About You

We are seeking a respected Aboriginal leader with:

• Tertiary qualifications in Public Health, Health Science, Health Administration, Aboriginal Health or similar.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in an ACCHO environment.
• Senior medical, clinical or public health leadership experience.
• Proven ability to drive system-level reform, strengthen cultural safety, and improve health outcomes.
• Strong governance, strategic planning, mentoring and communication skills.
• A deep understanding of Aboriginal community needs, culture, and ways of working.
• Knowledge of research processes, WHS, IR and EEO frameworks.

Desirable: Fellowship of RACGP or ACRRM and experience in preventive health transformation.

Why Join Derbarl Yerrigan?

At DYHS, you will:

• Lead a high-impact portfolio shaping the health of future generations.
• Influence policy, strategy, research and service design across WA.
• Work alongside passionate community-led health experts.
• Enjoy strong executive support and genuine partnership with the CEO.
• Help drive meaningful progress in Closing the Gap health outcomes.

This is more than a job — it’s a leadership role with cultural purpose, community impact, and long-term legacy.

Essential Requirements

1. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (Section 50D)
2. National Police Clearance (within 6 months)
3. Working with Children Check
4. WA Driver’s Licence
5. Willingness to travel and participate in ongoing training
6. Successful Pre-Employment Health Assessment

How to Apply

Click Apply Now and submit:

✔Your current CV

✔ A short cover letter outlining how you satisfy the role requirements.

Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service Aboriginal Corporation is an equal opportunity institution, providing educational and employment opportunities without regard to race, colour, gender, age, or disability.

Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service reserves the right to contact the current or most recent employer and evaluate past employment records of applicants selected for interview.

The organisation reserves the right to re-advertise the position or to delay final selection if it is deemed that applicants for the position do not constitute an adequate applicant pool.

Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service Aboriginal Corporation is committed to a smoke free environment across all buildings, grounds and vehicles.