Maari Ma Health

What Maari Ma Health does

Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation is an Aboriginal community-controlled health organisation founded in 1995 and headquartered in Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia. It delivers a comprehensive suite of primary health care, dental, family services, social and emotional wellbeing, chronic disease care coordination, and community programs to Aboriginal people across Far West NSW, including Broken Hill, Wilcannia, Menindee, Balranald, Central Darling, Wentworth and the Unincorporated Far West. Operations are delivered through a multi-disciplinary team of over 70 staff across a Broken Hill primary health care site, a regional executive office, the Maari Ma Balranald clinic at the Bes Murray Community Centre, the new Wilcannia Health and Wellbeing Centre opened in May 2024, and outreach services into Menindee and other remote communities. Its flagship chronic disease initiative, Marrabinya, rebranded on 1 January 2023, implements the Commonwealth's Integrated Team Care program in partnership with Bila Muuji Aboriginal Health Service and has assisted over 3,200 Aboriginal people with nearly 20,000 supplementary support services. The underlying technology is a standard electronic medical records system for patient information management; the organisation holds AGPAL accreditation and a QIP-QIC quality accreditation.

The business model is government-funded non-profit. All clinical and community services are provided free of charge to Aboriginal patients, with operating revenue derived from Australian Government and NSW Government health program contracts (primary health care, Integrated Team Care/Marrabinya, and various community health programs) plus philanthropic support, notably a 16-year partnership with the CAGES Foundation that won the 2021 Indigenous Philanthropy Award. The go-to-market motion is community-led: cultural appropriateness, Aboriginal community-controlled governance under a Board chaired by Des Jones since 1996, and word-of-mouth referrals within Far West NSW Aboriginal communities. Distribution is via directly operated clinics and outreach services, supplemented by sport-based health promotion partnerships with Deadly Choices and NSW Rugby League. Go-to-market is governed by CEO Richard Weston, Executive Managers for Regional Primary Health Care (Kendy Rogers) and Child and Family Services (Lavinia Henderson), and an accredited GP Registrar Program that also serves as a workforce pipeline.

Name

Maari Ma Health

Legal name

Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation

Website

https://maarima.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation is a community-controlled Aboriginal health organisation in Broken Hill, NSW delivering free primary health care, dental, chronic disease, and family services to Aboriginal communities across Far West NSW via 70+ staff across four locations, funded by Australian and NSW government contracts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aboriginal Community Health Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians) (621330)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Home Health Care Services (8082), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Tribal/Indigenous Public Health Authorities (HLAJAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Maternal, Newborn, Child & Adolescent Health (MNCAH) NGOs (HLAJAKAG), Maternal, Child & Family Health Departments (HLAJAAAK)

Keywords

• Aboriginal health services
• Primary health care
• Community controlled health
• Chronic disease management
• Social emotional wellbeing

Headquarters

HQ city

Broken Hill

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Primary revenue derived from Australian Government and NSW Government health funding. Services are provided free to Aboriginal patients, funded through government contracts for primary health care, Integrated Team Care (ITC) program, and various community health programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation is an Aboriginal community-controlled non-profit health organisation delivering comprehensive primary health care, dental, family services, social and emotional wellbeing support, chronic disease care coordination (Marrabinya/ITC), community/youth programs, and a GP Registrar training program to Aboriginal communities across Far West NSW from its base in Broken Hill and satellite locations in Balranald, Wilcannia, and Menindee. All services are provided free of charge to Aboriginal patients and funded through Australian Government and NSW Government health grants.

Product overview

Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation operates as an Aboriginal community controlled health organisation providing a comprehensive suite of health and community services to Aboriginal communities in far western NSW. The core offering is the Primary Health Care Program, a multi-disciplinary primary health service based in Broken Hill with over 70 staff. Supporting programs include Maari Ma Balranald (regional health services), Marrabinya/ITC (chronic disease care coordination), Indigenous Community Links (service directory), Community Programs (youth and family services), Dental Services, Social and Emotional Wellbeing Services, Family Services, and a GP Registrar Program for medical training. Services are free to Aboriginal community members and include transport assistance and home visits.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Marrabinya: The Integrated Team Care (ITC) Program that supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with chronic illnesses by providing coordinated care. Marrabinya is the local name operating in Broken Hill, Central Darling, Wentworth, Balranald local government areas, and the Unincorporated Far West NSW. The name comes from the Wiradjuri language meaning 'hand, outstretch the'.

Products and services

• Primary Health Care Program Comprehensive primary health care service providing GP consultations, preventive care, and specialist visiting services to Aboriginal communities across far western NSW from a facility in Broken Hill, with over 70 staff serving the region.
• Maari Ma Balranald Local health service operated from the Bes Murray Community Centre in Balranald offering general health checks, wound and diabetes clinics, pathology, child and family health services, Muuku/Yapara smoking cessation programs, and outreach services.
• Marrabinya (Integrated Team Care Program) Brokerage service linking Aboriginal people with chronic illness to specialist care and services through care coordination and supplementary services, including specialist appointment support, transport, accommodation, and medical aids.
• Indigenous Community Links Directory service connecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Far West NSW with vital services and resources including health care, child care, pregnancy support, court support, education, training, employment, income support, housing, and rental assistance.
• Community Programs Social and community programs including WINGS Drop-In Centre (youth activities in Wilcannia), Little Kids & Books (early literacy), and Maari Ma Healthy Start Playgroup (early childhood development), plus cultural, sport, healthy eating and youth activities across far western NSW.
• Dental Services Quality dental services available to Aboriginal community members, including preventive and restorative treatments to promote oral health.
• Social and Emotional Wellbeing Services Mental health support through specialized programs and services aimed at improving emotional and psychological well-being, including the SEWB Model of Practice showcased at the Social Emotional Wellbeing Regional Summit.
• Family Services Family services supporting and strengthening Aboriginal families with guidance and resources for parenting, child development, and overall family health.
• GP Registrar Program Training program for GP registrars providing experience in Aboriginal health with multidisciplinary team support, specialist access, and educational tutorials in Broken Hill and outreach communities including Wilcannia and Menindee.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 3,200 people assisted through Marrabinya/ITC program with nearly 20,000 supplementary support services provided
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Deadly ChoicescoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2019Partnership between Maari Ma and Deadly Choices - a health promotion initiative of the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH) in South East Queensland. The partnership promotes healthy choices and lifestyles through sport programs including the Deadly Blues Rugby League partnership and First Nations Rugby 7's talent identification programs. Anyone who has an ATSI Health Check receives a Deadly Choices/Blues shirt as incentive.
• NSW Rugby League (NSRL)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2019NSRL announced its partnership with Deadly Choices which Maari Ma participates in, encouraging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to receive regular medical check-ups and improve their health.
• Bila Muuji Aboriginal Health ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint development of the Marrabinya program in conjunction with Bila Muuji Aboriginal Health Service to implement the Commonwealth's Integrated Team Care (ITC) program in the Western NSW Primary Health Network region. This program has assisted over 3,200 Aboriginal people with chronic disease.
• Department of Health (Australian Government)coreOthersFederal government department that promotes, develops and funds health and aged care services. Primary funder of Maari Ma's Integrated Team Care (ITC) program and other health services.
• NSW HealthcoreOthersNSW Department of Health works to provide healthcare to NSW residents and supports the health minister and health system. Maari Ma collaborates with NSW Health services including Broken Hill Health Service Hospital.
• Far West Local Health DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Far West Local Health District protects and improves health and wellbeing of Far West communities through leadership and partnership. Maari Ma works with FWLHD on health service delivery and coordination.
• Murdi Paaki Regional AssemblyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeak representative structure representing interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in 16 communities across Western NSW. Des Jones, Maari Ma Board Chair, also serves as Chairperson of MPRA.
• FACS - Family and Community Services NSWminorOthersNSW Family and Community Services with mission to enable vulnerable people to participate fully in social and economic life. Maari Ma refers clients and works collaboratively on family support services.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Bila Muuji Aboriginal Health Service: Western NSW Aboriginal community-controlled health collective that co-developed the Marrabinya/ITC program with Maari Ma. Directly comparable ACCHO model, similar catchment (Western NSW PHN), and identical chronic-disease care coordination remit.
• Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH): Peak ACCHO body in South East Queensland that operates Deadly Choices, Maari Ma's health-promotion partner. Comparable as a multi-site Aboriginal-controlled health service with sport-linked preventive health programs.

Broad incumbents

• Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO): Peak body for Aboriginal community-controlled health services in Victoria. Same ACCHO funding model and culturally appropriate primary care mandate as Maari Ma, but statewide in scope.
• National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO): National peak body for ACCHOs across Australia. Provides sector-wide policy, advocacy, and funding coordination for organisations structurally identical to Maari Ma.
• Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT): Peak body for Aboriginal community-controlled health services in the NT. Comparable in operating model (community-controlled, government-funded ACCHO network) and represents peer organisations of similar scale to Maari Ma across remote Australia.
• Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC): Peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled health services in Queensland. Comparable governance and funding model, broader geographic and membership remit.
• Far West Local Health District: NSW Health service district covering the same Far West NSW geography as Maari Ma. Comparable in geographic remit and clinical mandate but government-run rather than community-controlled.
• Western NSW Primary Health Network (Western Health Alliance): PHN that commissions primary care services across Western NSW, including Maari Ma's ITC/Marrabinya program. Direct counterpart in funding and service planning for Maari Ma.

Regional players

• Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia (AHCWA): Peak body for ACCHOs in Western Australia. Same Aboriginal community-controlled model as Maari Ma, but operates across WA rather than Far West NSW.

Others

• Murdi Paaki Regional Assembly: Peak representative structure for Aboriginal people across 16 communities in Western NSW. Maari Ma's board chair Des Jones also chairs the Assembly, and the two organisations collaborate on community development and service coordination.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/maarimahealth
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/maari-ma-health-aboriginal-corp

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Maari Ma Health