The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) has appointed renowned Aboriginal race scholar, Distinguished Professor Yin Paradies, to develop the next iteration of its Indigenous health and cultural safety strategy.
Prof Paradies is Australia’s only Professor of Race Relations, based at Deakin Univeresity.
Aphra said he will spearhead the evaluation of the current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Cultural Safety Strategy 2020–2025 and develop its next five-year iteration. He will also identifying strategic objectives for the cultural safety priority area within the National Scheme Strategy.
Ahpra said Prof Paradies’ appointment reinforces its commitment to eliminating racism from healthcare and ensuring cultural safety becomes the norm for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples accessing health services.
Professor Paradies’ lived experience as a Wakaya man, combined with his world-leading research expertise, positions him uniquely to guide our ongoing efforts to eliminate racism from Australia’s health system
“This work is fundamental to our mission of protecting the public through effective health practitioner regulation,” Gamilaroi National Director, Jayde Fuller of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Strategy Unit said.
“Professor Paradies’ lived experience as a Wakaya man, combined with his world-leading research expertise, positions him uniquely to guide our ongoing efforts to eliminate racism from Australia’s health system.”
Prof Paradies has authored over 270 publications, conducted the first global systematic review and meta-analysis on racism and health, and recently developed Ahpra’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander anti-racism policy.
“Cultural safety must be defined by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples themselves,” Prof Paradies said.
“This evaluation and strategy development process will centre Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices to ensure regulatory mechanisms effectively address both individual and systemic racism in healthcare.”
The final strategy is expected to be delivered in February 2026.
