Melbourne Poche Centre for Indigenous Health

What Melbourne Poche Centre for Indigenous Health does

The Melbourne Poche Centre for Indigenous Health is an Indigenous-led research centre embedded within the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences at the University of Melbourne, established in 2014. It operates a portfolio of five core programs — the Indigenous Health Leadership Program, the PhD Familiarisation Program, the Indigenous Health Graduate Research Program, the Tanderrum Visiting Scholars Program, and the Dungala Kaiela Research Fellows Program — targeting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander PhD scholars, health professionals, and emerging leaders. The Centre does not operate a proprietary technology platform; its intellectual capital rests on Indigenous research methodologies, cultural practice-based methodologies, and a distinctive Indigenous research framework (Place, Relationships, Futures).

The Centre is staffed by approximately eight core personnel led by Director Professor Shawana Andrews, who also serves as Associate Dean Indigenous in MDHS. Funding flows through the Poche family philanthropy, University of Melbourne institutional channels, the Australian Government Research Training Program, and targeted grants from the Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success and the Department of Education. The Leadership Program generates modest direct fee revenue at A$5,500 per Fellow, typically paid by the Fellow's employer; all other programs are fully funded or free to approved Indigenous participants. Programs are delivered through in-person week-long intensives, on-Country modules across Victoria, and an international Module 2 in Toronto, Canada.

The Centre is governed by a Strategic Advisory Board chaired by Professor Sandra Eades AO, with deep partnerships across the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) sector, the Lowitja Institute, the OCHRe Network, the Kaiela Institute, and the University Department of Rural Health. To date it has produced 19 named PhD graduates, 12 current PhD scholars, and more than 60 Leadership Program alumni since 2018. The Towards 2030 Strategic Plan frames its mandate as building Indigenous intellectual and cultural capital to transform Indigenous health outcomes nationally and comparatively with Canada and New Zealand.

Name

Melbourne Poche Centre for Indigenous Health

Legal name

Melbourne Poche Centre for Indigenous Health

Website

https://poche.mdhs.unimelb.edu.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Melbourne Poche Centre for Indigenous Health is an Indigenous-led research centre within the University of Melbourne that builds Indigenous health leadership and academic pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people via PhD scholarship support, leadership intensives, and international scholarly exchange.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Indigenous Health Education and Leadership Development

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Support Services (611710), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Tribal Research Universities & Research Centers (Research-Active TCUs) (EDAHANAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Tribal Health Sciences & Allied Health Colleges (Nursing/Allied Health Focus) (EDAHANAF), Minority, Indigenous & Disability Rights (BPADAGAH)

Keywords

• Indigenous health leadership
• Academic pathway programs
• PhD familiarisation support
• Health professional education
• Indigenous research methodology

Headquarters

HQ city

Parkville, Melbourne

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public / Government Funding: The Centre operates as a unit within the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences at the University of Melbourne. It receives institutional and likely government funding to support its programs. The Dungala Kaiela Research Fellows Program employs Research Fellows on University of Melbourne salary scales (Level A: $75,289–$102,163 p.a.), funded through University and government sources.
2. Program Fees (Leadership Program): The Melbourne Poche Indigenous Health Leadership Program charges a $5,500 fee per Fellow. The fee is expected to be covered by employers. Scholarships are available for ACCHO employees and MACH partner organisation employees.
3. PhD Scholarship Administration: The Centre facilitates access to the Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) stipend for Indigenous PhD scholars. The RTP stipend rate for 2026 is approximately $53,608 p.a. for full-time study. Faculty-wide top-up stipends may also be available. The Centre does not administer scholarships directly but supports scholar access to them.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Melbourne Poche Centre for Indigenous Health delivers Indigenous-led educational and professional development programs that build health leadership capacity and create academic pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Its portfolio includes the Indigenous Health Leadership Program (a three-module intensive), the PhD Familiarisation Program, the Indigenous Health Graduate Research Program (ongoing cohort support for enrolled PhD scholars), the Tanderrum Visiting Scholars Program (international scholar exchange), and the Dungala Kaiela Research Fellows Program (regional PhD pathway in the Goulburn Valley). All programs are grounded in Indigenous knowledges, cultural practice-based methodologies, and wraparound culturally safe academic support.

Product overview

The Melbourne Poche Centre for Indigenous Health offers a portfolio of Indigenous-led educational and professional development programs focused on building Indigenous health leadership and creating academic pathways. The core offerings include: the Indigenous Health Leadership Program (a three-module intensive program), the PhD Familiarisation Program (introductory program for prospective PhD scholars), the Indigenous Health Graduate Research Program (ongoing cohort support for enrolled PhD scholars), the Tanderrum Visiting Scholars Program (international scholar exchange), and the Dungala Kaiela Research Fellows Program (regional PhD pathway for the Goulburn Valley). Together, these programs form a comprehensive ecosystem supporting Indigenous people from initial PhD consideration through academic pathways to leadership positions in health.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Melbourne Poche Indigenous Health Leadership Program A three-module intensive program for Indigenous health professionals with leadership responsibilities to explore leadership potential, affect change in Indigenous health, and expand ideas on leadership and networking through experiential learning at locations including Melbourne, Wilsons Promontory, Moama, and Toronto, Canada. A $5,500 fee per Fellow applies, expected to be covered by employers; scholarships are available for ACCHO employees and MACH partner organisation employees.
• Melbourne Poche PhD Familiarisation Program A fully funded two-day program connecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people working in health, community services, social and emotional wellbeing, or related fields with Indigenous researchers and academics to explore PhD pathways, research methodologies grounded in Indigenous knowledge, and the application process.
• Indigenous Health Graduate Research Program A cohort-based support program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander PhD scholars enrolled in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, providing culturally safe and responsive academic support through events, workshops, and international scholar engagement throughout the PhD journey.
• Tanderrum Visiting Scholars Program A program providing a scholarly and culturally safe environment for international Indigenous graduate researchers and early career academics to engage in research collaboration at the Centre for up to six weeks, including return airfares, accommodation, and a basic living allowance. Visiting scholars engage with the Leadership Program and publish research on Pursuit.
• Dungala Kaiela Research Fellows Program A collaborative program providing pathways for emerging Indigenous researchers to undertake PhD studies through the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences at the University of Melbourne while living and working in the Goulburn Valley region, including employment as Research Fellow Level A on Yorta Yorta Country. Run in collaboration with the University Department of Rural Health and the Kaiela Institute.

Quantifiable outcome

• 60+ Indigenous health leaders completed the Leadership Program since 2018
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• University of Melbourne (Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Melbourne Poche Centre is institutionally embedded within the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences (MDHS) at the University of Melbourne. The University provides institutional infrastructure, administrative systems, and RTP scholarship administration. The Centre's Director also serves as Associate Dean Indigenous in MDHS.
• Kaiela InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA First Nations-led analysis and policy think tank. The Centre collaborates with the Kaiela Institute on the Dungala Kaiela Research Fellows Program, the Rumbalara Wellbeing and Resilience research project, and the Developing Yorta Yorta Measures for Shared Prosperity project. The Kaiela Institute provides mentorship and sponsorship for Program Fellows.
• University Department of Rural HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on the Dungala Kaiela Research Fellows Program. The University Department of Rural Health provides quarterly oversight meetings with Program Fellows and contributes to the research and teaching mission of the program embedded in the Goulburn Valley region.
• Lowitja InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralia's only national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled health research institute. The Centre and Lowitja co-host pre-conference PhD workshops and the International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference. Lowitja Institute membership is required for bursary applicants. Poche staff attend and present at Lowitja conferences.
• OCHRe Network (Ourside Collaborative Health Research)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA national network of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health researchers developing the next generation of health research leaders. The OCHRe Network's Maali Hub provides bursary funding for Indigenous PhD scholars to attend the Poche Centre's pre-conference workshop and Lowitja conferences. OCHRe membership is required for bursary eligibility.
• Maali HubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA sub-hub of the OCHRe Network dedicated to supporting First Nations Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students and early to mid-career researchers. The Maali Hub provides bursary funding for Indigenous PhD scholars to attend the Poche Centre's Maximise Your Conference Experience workshop and the Lowitja Institute's International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference.
• Katherine West Health BoardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA PhD partnership opportunity exists with Katherine West Health Board to evaluate the implementation of Aboriginal Health Coaching in remote Aboriginal communities. The Centre facilitates a PhD candidate to conduct this evaluation in partnership with KWHB Aboriginal leaders and stakeholders.
• Thames & Hudson AustraliaminorOthersPublisher of First Knowledges: The Collection, an eight-book series. Professor Shawana Andrews co-authored the eighth book Health: Spirit, Country and Culture, bringing Aboriginal knowledges of health and wellbeing into the collection. The launch was hosted at Government House during NAIDOC week 2026.
• Onemda: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and WellbeingmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA research centre within MDHS led by Professor Sean Taylor. Onemda and the Poche Centre collaborate on research, community engagement, and the Communicating for Community Workshop. Professor Sean Taylor facilitated sessions at Poche events and is a panellist for the Leadership Program.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Lowitja Institute: Australia's national community-controlled Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research institute. Broad incumbent operating at a national policy and research-funder level across the same Indigenous health ecosystem that the Poche Centre serves through its cohorts.
• Menzies School of Health Research: Major Australian medical research institute with significant Indigenous health research capacity in northern Australia. Broad incumbent with overlapping Indigenous health research themes, larger scale, and broader disease/region focus than the Poche Centre's leadership-development specialisation.

Direct peers

• Waakebiness-Bryce Institute for Indigenous Health: University of Toronto Dalla Lana School of Public Health institute advancing Indigenous health research and education in Canada. International direct peer given the Poche Centre's Tanderrum Visiting Scholars Program, Toronto-based Leadership Module 2, and shared Navigating the Cultural Interface research.
• Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet: Edith Cowan University-hosted knowledge translation platform for Indigenous health evidence, workforce, and programs. Direct peer operating in the same Indigenous health ecosystem with a complementary role in evidence dissemination and workforce data.
• Leaders in Indigenous Medical Education (LIME) Network: A program of Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand focused on Indigenous medical education and workforce. Direct peer addressing parallel goals of growing Indigenous representation in health professional training; the Melbourne Poche Centre's Principal Research Fellow was previously a Senior Research Fellow with LIME.
• Sydney Poche Centre for Indigenous Health: Operates under the same Poche philanthropic network at the University of Sydney with parallel Indigenous health leadership and academic pathway programs. Direct peer given shared brand origin, comparable Indigenous scholar cohorts, and overlapping partner ecosystem (Lowitja Institute, ACCHO sector).
• Northern Territory Poche Centre (Charles Darwin University): Charles Darwin University-hosted Poche Centre serving remote and very remote Indigenous communities in the NT. Direct peer sharing the Poche methodology with a stronger regional/remote health focus, complementing the Melbourne Centre's urban and international scope.
• Western Australian Poche Centre for Indigenous Health: University of Western Australia-hosted Poche Centre focused on Indigenous health leadership and research translation. Direct peer operating the same leadership and academic pathway model in a different state with overlapping Lowitja Institute / OCHRe network relationships.
• Eru Pōmare Māori Health Research Centre: University of Otago Māori health research centre in Aotearoa New Zealand. International direct peer addressing parallel Indigenous (Māori) health workforce and research questions, and explicitly included in the Poche Centre's Australia-Canada-NZ comparative research collaborations.
• Flinders Poche Centre: Flinders University-hosted Poche Centre delivering Indigenous health research and academic pathway programs. Direct peer sharing the same Poche family philanthropy model, Indigenous-led methodology, and cohort-based leadership development approach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/unimelbpoche

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Melbourne Poche Centre for Indigenous Health