Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Service

What Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Service does

Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Service (AWAHS) is a not-for-profit, Aboriginal community-controlled health organisation incorporated under the NSW Incorporations Act in September 2003 and operational since June 27, 2005. The organisation provides primary healthcare, dental, allied health, visiting specialist, and Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their families across the Albury Wodonga cross-border region of southern NSW and north-east Victoria. AWAHS also operates cultural programs (Burraja Cultural Centre, Koori Men's Shed, Women's Group, Youth Services) and became a registered NDIS provider in 2023. Service delivery is structured around three fixed sites (Glenroy NSW, Wodonga VIC, Wangaratta VIC) plus mobile outreach clinics in Wangaratta and Benalla, with all clinical services bulk billed under Medicare and a 30-minute appointment schedule. The organisation employs 75+ staff, serves over 4,000 clients, and is governed by a board of 5–9 Aboriginal community members with CEO David Noonan (in role 15 years) leading operations.\n\nRevenue is derived almost entirely from government and quasi-government sources: NACCHO (Culture Care Connect funding), NIAA, Murray Primary Health Network, Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network, NSW Health, Environmental Trust NSW, and various state and federal Aboriginal health programs. There is no commercial revenue stream and no equity funding. Pricing to clients is $0 (bulk billed) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients, with a $2 annual community membership fee and tax-deductible donation capability. Go-to-market is community-led via word-of-mouth, GP referrals, self-referral, outreach clinics, and social media presence on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn. Transport services within a 30km radius of the Glenroy campus are provided to clients without means of transport, including transport to specialist appointments referred by AWAHS GPs.\n\nAWAHS has scaled from 10 employees and one site in 2008 to 75+ staff across three sites in 2024, with capital expansion enabled by joint-venture funding from OATSIH and NSW Health (2007), a 2013 capacity grant, and 2019 Commonwealth expansion funding. Current capital investment includes a newly purchased site at 25 Hovell Street in Wodonga with building commenced in 2024. Strategic partnerships span three universities (UNSW, University of Sydney, Charles Sturt University) for clinical training, RACGP for GP registrar hosting, multiple Aboriginal peak bodies (NACCHO, VACCHO, AHMRC) for sector representation, and YACVic for youth programming. The organisation's competitive position rests on community-controlled governance, cross-border delivery capability, and 20 years of accumulated cultural legitimacy rather than on proprietary technology or AI capability.

Name

Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Service

Legal name

Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Service

Website

https://awahs.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

AWAHS is a community-controlled Aboriginal health organisation providing bulk-billed primary healthcare, dental, allied health, SEWB, NDIS, and cultural programs to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the Albury Wodonga NSW-Victoria cross-border region, operating three fixed sites and outreach clinics with 75+ staff.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Health Services

NAICS

Offices of Other Health Practitioners (6213), Individual and Family Services (6241), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Tribal/Indigenous Public Health Authorities (HLAJAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Primary Care for Underserved Populations (e.g., migrant, homeless, refugee clinics) (HLAFAGAN)

Keywords

• Aboriginal health services
• Primary healthcare
• Allied health services
• Dental health services
• Social emotional wellbeing

Headquarters

HQ city

Glenroy

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: A not-for-profit community-controlled organisation primarily funded through government grants and programs including NACCHO funding for Culture Care Connect, Primary Health Network funding, and various state/federal health programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Service is a community-controlled, not-for-profit Aboriginal health organisation delivering bulk-billed primary healthcare to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the Albury Wodonga border region. Core offerings include general practice/clinical medicine, allied health, dental, visiting specialists, mobile outreach, and a Social and Emotional Wellbeing program covering alcohol and drug support, culture care connect suicide prevention, family violence, mental health and NDIS services, supplemented by cultural programs and a 30km transport service.

Product overview

AWAHS operates as a community-controlled Aboriginal Health Service providing primary healthcare to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across 3 operational sites (Glenroy NSW, Wodonga VIC, Wangaratta VIC) with outreach services. The core Clinical Medical Services are complemented by Allied Health Services (dietician, podiatry, psychology, speech pathology, occupational therapy, social worker, diabetes educator), Dental Services, and Visiting Specialists (hearing, optometry, ophthalmology). The Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) Program encompasses Alcohol and Other Drug Support, Culture Care Connect suicide prevention, Family Violence support, Mental Health support, Stolen Generations support, Health Promotion, and NDIS services. Cultural programs include the Burraja Cultural Centre, Koori Men's Shed, Women's Group, and Youth Services including the Wodonga Koorie Youth Network. Support services include Administration and Transport, a Membership Program, and Donation capabilities. All clinical services are bulk billed with 30-minute appointments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Clinical Medical Services Comprehensive general practice services covering child and adolescent health, acute and chronic illness management, antenatal care, men's health, women's health, sexual health, immunisations, pathology, and health assessments, bulk billed with 30-minute appointments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.
• Allied Health Services Multi-disciplinary allied health professional services including diabetes educator, dietician, occupational therapy, podiatry, psychology, speech pathology, and social worker supporting comprehensive client care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients.
• Dental Services Bulk-billed dental services including routine examinations, check-ups, fillings, x-rays, extractions, fissure sealants, and root canal treatment; fee-based services include dentures, crowns, splints, mouth guards, and teeth whitening. Includes the Boorai Smiles Program for pregnant women.
• Visiting Specialists Specialist consultations delivered on-site including Hearing Australia hearing assessments, Optometry via the Brien Holden Vision Aboriginal Vision Program, Ophthalmology through the Albury Eye Clinic, and legal support via Hume Riverina Community Legal Service.
• Outreach Clinic Mobile clinical space delivering community access to nurses, Aboriginal health practitioners, and doctors in Wangaratta (weekly Thursdays, APEX Park) and Benalla (weekly Tuesdays, Waminda House/Benalla Library). Includes health checks, referrals, vaccinations, and walk-ins in a culturally safe environment.
• Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) Program Comprehensive social and emotional wellbeing program for the First Nations community covering Alcohol and Other Drug Support, Culture Care Connect suicide prevention, Family Violence support, Health Promotion, Stolen Generations support, Mental Health support, and NDIS navigation.
• Burraja Cultural Centre Cultural centre at Gateway Island (Hume Highway) providing gathering space, Aboriginal heritage exhibits, cultural tours, education programs, and a safe healing space. Auspiced by AWAHS since March 2023, open Monday to Friday 9am-4pm.
• Koori Men's Shed Meeting place for First Nations men supporting healing, cultural connection, and community connection, with workshop space for creating cultural artefacts. Open Monday to Friday 9am-4:30pm.
• Women's Group Fortnightly Koori Women's Group promoting connection through cultural activities, workshops, and retreats focused on self-care, skill development, and knowledge sharing, based at Burraja Cultural Centre.
• Youth Services Programs and social groups for young Aboriginal people providing opportunities for cultural practice and deeper cultural understanding, including the Wodonga Koorie Youth Network (WKYN) for ages 12-25 and the Future Proof bushfire recovery youth program across Wodonga, Towong, Alpine, Indigo, and Mansfield LGAs.
• Administration and Transport Administrative coordination plus transport service within a 30-kilometre radius of the Glenroy campus for clients without means of transport, also facilitating transport to specialist appointments referred by AWAHS GPs.
• Membership Program Community membership program enabling Aboriginal members to vote at meetings and stand for Board representation, with non-Aboriginal associate membership providing attendance and speaking rights. Annual fee of $2.00.
• Donation Program Tax-deductible donation program supporting accessible healthcare delivery; donations of $2 and over are tax deductible with EFT donations accepted via the finance team.

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Murray Primary Health NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary Health Network providing regional health funding and coordination support for North East Victoria.
• Murrumbidgee Primary Health NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary Health Network providing regional health funding and coordination support for Southern Riverina NSW.
• National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal government agency providing funding and policy support for Indigenous Australians including Culture Care Connect program funding.
• NACCHO (National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational representative body for Aboriginal community controlled health services. Provides Culture Care Connect program funding and supports suicide prevention planning.
• VACCHO (Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVictorian state peak body representing Aboriginal community controlled health organisations.
• AHMRC (Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNSW peak body for Aboriginal community controlled health organisations providing research support and advocacy.
• Albury Wodonga HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal health service partner for obstetrics unit partnership for antenatal care, and mental health triage support.
• Gateway HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity health partner providing culturally safe support and engagement with families.
• Headspace Albury/WodongaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth mental health service partner providing support for young Aboriginal people.
• University of New South WalesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation provider for GP registrar training and student placements.
• Charles Sturt UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation provider for student placements and professional development.
• University of SydneyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation provider for medical students and Aboriginal health training programs.
• RACGP TrainingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional GP training provider hosting GP registrars in training at AWAHS.
• AlburyCityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal council partner with Aboriginal Community Development Officer liaison.
• Youth Affairs Council Victoria (YACVic)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on Future Proof project bringing youth-led bushfire recovery activities across Wodonga, Towong, Alpine, Indigo, and Mansfield LGAs.
• Mungabareena Aboriginal CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal founding partner organisation that helped establish AWAHS.
• Woomera Aboriginal CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal founding partner organisation that helped establish AWAHS.
• Wandoo Aboriginal CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal founding partner organisation that helped establish AWAHS in 2001.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation: Far west NSW Aboriginal community-controlled health service operating multi-site primary care across the Broken Hill region — closely comparable to AWAHS in regional/rural NSW-Victoria border context and ACCHO operating model.
• Apunipima Cape York Health Council: Cape York Aboriginal community-controlled health organisation providing primary health care, aged care and social-emotional wellbeing across remote Queensland communities — a comparable community-controlled model, geographically similar in operating across dispersed populations.
• Central Australian Aboriginal Congress: Alice Springs-based Aboriginal community-controlled primary health care organisation delivering clinical, dental, allied health, social and emotional wellbeing and aged care services across remote Central Australia — a directly comparable comprehensive ACCHO model.
• Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Health Service (TAIHS): North Queensland ACCHO delivering primary health, dental, allied health, family wellbeing and youth services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities — closely aligned operational model to AWAHS.
• Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service: Perth-based Aboriginal community-controlled health service offering GP, dental, allied health, mental health and aged care programs with multiple sites — closely mirrors AWAHS's multi-site primary care + SEWB + NDIS service portfolio.
• Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services: ACT-based Aboriginal community-controlled primary health care service providing clinical, dental, mental health and social support programs to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; directly comparable ACCHO model to AWAHS.
• Aboriginal Medical Services Western Sydney: Aboriginal community-controlled health service providing primary medical, allied health and social-emotional wellbeing services in Western Sydney; comparable ACCHO structure focused on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary care.
• Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH): Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled health entity coordinating multiple ACCHOs across South East Queensland; comparable governance and multi-site primary care delivery model.
• Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS): Melbourne-based Aboriginal community-controlled health service delivering primary medical, dental, allied health and social-emotional wellbeing services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people — the same community-controlled model AWAHS operates, just at a larger urban scale.

Broad incumbents

• National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO): National peak body for Aboriginal community-controlled health services that directly funds AWAHS (Culture Care Connect); comparable as a governance/funding umbrella but is broader than an individual ACCHO peer and is one of AWAHS's core funders.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCYH1vYCarRDwbdi9rU1kIlQ?view_as=subscriber
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/albury-wodonga-aboriginal-health-service1
• Instagraminstagram.com/alburywodonga_ahs

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Service