Njernda

What Njernda does

Njernda Aboriginal Corporation is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) founded in 1974 (originally as the Echuca Aboriginal Co-operative, renamed Njernda in 1990, meaning "to know our living culture" in Wemba Wemba) delivering a comprehensive, wraparound suite of health, wellbeing, family support, youth, children, and aged care services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Echuca and Murray River region of Victoria, Australia. The organisation operates across seven-plus physical sites in and around Echuca, including the Medical Centre (GP, nursing, Aboriginal Health Workers, allied health, chronic disease and care coordination programs), Family Services (family support, family violence, housing, out-of-home care, Aboriginal Family Led Decision Making), Youth & Wellbeing Services (mental health and SEWB, alcohol and other drugs, Bringing Them Home, justice support), Berrimba Childcare and Early Learning Centre, the Yakapna Healing Centre, and the 320-acre Baroona Youth Healing Centre for 14-22 year-olds. Underlying technology is non-proprietary, relying on standard clinical and case management systems (CSNet, IRIS, SAMS), SurveyMonkey for client feedback, My Aged Care for aged care referrals, and standard telehealth/phone outreach, with no proprietary AI/ML or platform architecture in evidence.

Njernda's business model is that of a registered not-for-profit charity with Deductible Gift Recipient status, governed by a community-elected Aboriginal Board of Directors (Wade Austin as Chairman alongside four Directors). Revenue is generated primarily through Victorian and Commonwealth Government grants and service agreements with the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH), Department of Health, aged care programs (CHSP, HACC PYP, Elder Care Support), and Medicare/DVA bulk-billed clinical billings, supplemented by donations; services are delivered free at point of use to eligible community members, with no commercial pricing model. Its go-to-market is community-led: awareness and access are driven by self-referral, GP referrals, outreach, cultural events (NAIDOC Week, Elders events, Youth Camps), partnerships with The Orange Door, Child Protection, Youth Justice, Community Corrections, the Koori Court, and peak Aboriginal bodies (VACCHO, VACSAL, YYNAC), and word-of-mouth within the local Aboriginal community.

Name

Njernda

Legal name

Njernda Aboriginal Corporation

Website

https://njernda.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Njernda Aboriginal Corporation is a community-controlled ACCO delivering integrated health, wellbeing, family, youth and aged care services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the Echuca and Murray River region of Victoria, Australia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Health and Social Services

NAICS

Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Individual and Family Services (6241), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

Tribal/Indigenous Public Health Authorities (HLAJAAAD)

Keywords

• Community health services
• Aboriginal community controlled
• Family and wellbeing support
• Primary health care
• Social and emotional wellbeing

Headquarters

HQ city

Echuca

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Government Funding and Grants: Njernda operates as a not-for-profit Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation funded primarily through government grants and service agreements with Victorian Government departments including Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH), health departments, and aged care funding programs. Additional revenue comes from fee-for-service arrangements with Medicare/DVA for clinical health services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Njernda is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) delivering culturally safe, integrated primary health, social and emotional wellbeing, family services, disability support, justice support, housing assistance and aged care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Echuca and Murray River region of northern Victoria. Services are delivered through community-controlled governance and wraparound care models spanning medical, dental, allied health, mental health, family violence, child protection, drug and alcohol, and cultural programs.

Product overview

Njernda Aboriginal Corporation is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation offering a comprehensive, integrated suite of health, wellbeing, family support, and community services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Echuca and Murray River region. The organisation operates as a multi-service hub with distinct but interconnected programs including: Health Services (Medical Clinic with GP/Nurse Services, Specialist and Allied Health, Preventative Health, Chronic Disease Support, and Care Coordination Program); Wellbeing Services (Mental Health and SEWB, Alcohol and Other Drugs Support, Bringing Them Home, and Justice Support); Family Support Services (Family Support Programs, Family Violence Programs working with The Orange Door, Housing Support, and Out of Home Care including AFLDM, Kinship Care, Foster Care, and Wala Yarka); Youth, Children and Community Services (Youth Services, Berrimba Childcare and Early Learning Centre, and Baroona Youth Healing Centre); and Elders and Disability Support (Elder Care Support, HACC PYP, and CHSP). The organisation also provides Resources including Forms, Surveys, Reports, Policies, Helpful Links, Videos, and general enquiry/feedback tools. Services are delivered across multiple physical locations in Echuca with both in-person and referral-based access, and the organisation is governed by a community-elected Board of Directors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Berrimba: Culturally safe early childhood education and care centre. 'Berrimba' means Forever Learning.
• Yakapna Yakaneyepuk
• Yinya Mulana
• Baroona
• Nyini Health & Wellness Centre
• Yakapna

Products and services

• Njernda Medical Clinic (GP Services)

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Orange Door (Loddon)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Orange Door is a Victorian Government initiative bringing family violence, child and family, and wellbeing services together. Njernda works in partnership with The Orange Door to provide culturally safe, specialist support for Aboriginal families impacted by family violence. Njernda has staff embedded in The Orange Door including the Aboriginal Practice Leader role.
• Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDFFH is the Victorian Government department funding many of Njernda's family services programs. Njernda works closely with DFFH area-based coordinators, Child Protection, and the Restoring Families Coordinator to support Aboriginal families involved with child protection.
• Community Corrections ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNjernda's Local Justice Worker works closely with Community Corrections to support Aboriginal adults completing Community Corrections Orders, helping them meet conditions and access support services.
• Koori CourtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Koori Court is a culturally appropriate sentencing court for Aboriginal offenders. Njernda's Local Justice Worker Colin Atkinson partnered with Court Services Victoria to establish the region's first Koori Court in Echuca-Moama, providing smoking ceremonies and community support.
• Victoria PoliceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNjernda Justice Support services work with Victoria Police to support Aboriginal people navigating the justice system and to strengthen police-community relations.
• Sheriff's OfficeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNjernda's Local Justice Worker assists community members with managing fines, warrants, and court-related matters in collaboration with the Sheriff's Office.
• Echuca Regional HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAfter-hours medical care is available at Echuca Regional Health for Njernda patients requiring emergency care outside clinic hours. Njernda refers patients to the hospital for emergency presentations.
• Murray Primary Health NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Murray PHN approves Supplementary Services Funding for eligible ITC program clients. Njernda's Care Coordination Program works with the PHN to access funding for follow-up care and medical equipment for Aboriginal clients with chronic conditions.
• VACCHO (Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVACCHO is the peak body for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations in Victoria. Njernda is listed as a member organisation and works within the VACCHO network for Aboriginal health advocacy and support.
• VACSAL (Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association Ltd)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVACSAL provides peak Aboriginal community services support. Njernda collaborates with VACSAL on community events including the VACSAL Junior Carnival.
• Yorta Yorta Nations Aboriginal Corporation (YYNAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYYNAC represents the Yorta Yorta Nations people. Njernda acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land as the Wollithiga and Yorta Yorta Peoples, and works with YYNAC on issues affecting the local Aboriginal community.
• Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-operative (BDAC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional Aboriginal organisation providing similar services. Njernda includes BDAC in its Helpful Links resources for community members.
• Rumbalara Co-operativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional Aboriginal organisation. Njernda includes Rumbalara in its Helpful Links resources for community members.
• Victorian Aboriginal Legal ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVALS provides free legal services to Aboriginal people in Victoria. Njernda includes VALS in its Helpful Links for community members requiring legal support.
• Campaspe Shire CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNjernda partnered with Campaspe Shire Council on the Acceptance Tree sculpture project at Echuca Library, a symbolic installation by local Yorta Yorta artist Stuart Hearn representing connection, healing, and community care.
• Court Services VictoriacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCourt Services Victoria partnered with Njernda's Local Justice Worker Colin Atkinson to establish the first Koori Court in the Echuca-Moama region, providing culturally appropriate sentencing for Indigenous offenders.
• Red Dust Healing ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUncle Tom Powell's Red Dust Healing program is honoured in the Acceptance Tree sculpture at Echuca Library, created through the partnership between Njernda and Campaspe Shire Council.
• Translating & Interpreting Service (TIS National)minorOthersTIS National provides Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander interpreting services for Njernda patients who require language assistance, available 24/7.
• Health Complaints CommissionerminorOthersExternal body available for community members to raise concerns about Njernda health services if not satisfied with internal processes.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• VACCHO (Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation): VACCHO is the Victorian peak body for ACCOs and a member organisation of which Njernda is a member. While not a direct service competitor, VACCHO shapes funding policy, workforce, and sector capability across all Victorian ACCOs including Njernda.
• Yorta Yorta Nations Aboriginal Corporation:

Direct peers

• Murray Valley Aboriginal Co-operative: Murray Valley Aboriginal Co-operative is a regional Victorian ACCO delivering health, community, and family services to Aboriginal communities along the Murray River corridor — overlapping catchment and comparable service mix to Njernda.
• Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative: Goolum Goolum is a Victorian ACCO in the Wimmera region delivering primary health, aged care, family, and community services to Aboriginal people — closely comparable in scope and ACCO governance model.
• Mallee District Aboriginal Services (MDAS): MDAS is a regional Victorian ACCO delivering health, family, and community services across the Mallee — another regional ACCO peer with comparable wraparound service delivery and ACCO governance structure.
• Budja Budja Aboriginal Co-operative: Budja Budja is a Victorian regional ACCO delivering primary health, family, and community services in the Halls Gap / Grampians region, with a comparable ACCO governance and multi-service model to Njernda.
• Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-operative (BDAC): BDAC provides Aboriginal-controlled health, family, community, and aged care services across the Bendigo region in Victoria, mirroring Njernda's ACCO service portfolio and competing for the same Victorian DFFH and Commonwealth program funding.
• Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative: Rumbalara is a Victorian ACCO based in Shepparton/Mooroopna delivering health, family, children, aged care, and community services to Aboriginal people — directly comparable to Njernda's wraparound ACCO model in an adjacent regional catchment.

Regional players

• Ngwala Willumbong Co-operative: Ngwala Willumbong is a Victorian Aboriginal organisation delivering alcohol and other drug, family, and wellbeing services. Comparable in mental health/AOD service lines to Njernda's wellbeing portfolio, though operating primarily across different metro/regional catchments.

Emerging players

• Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia (AHCWA): AHCWA is the WA peak body for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, supporting member organisations delivering health services comparable to Njernda's Medical Centre and aged care programs under a different state policy framework.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/njernda
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/njernda

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Njernda