Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service

What Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service does

Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service (PAMS) is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) established in 1994 and incorporated under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006. It delivers primary healthcare, chronic disease management, mental health, aged care, NDIS, environmental health, and community wellbeing services to Martu and Nyiyaparli peoples across five remote communities in the East Pilbara and Western Desert regions of Western Australia — Newman, Jigalong, Parnngurr, Punmu, and Kunawarritji — spanning more than 1,500 km. The service model combines permanent clinic locations, fortnightly GP outreach from Jigalong to the most remote sites, telehealth, patient transport coordination via PATS, and rotating visiting specialists (renal, paediatric, optometry, podiatry, mental health, women's health, and allied health). The Newman Dialysis Centre, funded by BHP and operated with Purple House, extends clinical capability into kidney care.

The underlying operating model is a community-controlled governance structure with a Board of Directors elected from Nyiyaparli and Martu traditional owners across each service community. The technology base is a standard remote-area healthcare delivery model — no proprietary AI, ML, or software platform; clinical services are delivered through remote area nursing, general practitioners, Aboriginal Health Workers, and visiting specialists. Revenue is derived almost entirely from federal and state government program grants (NACCHO, IAHP, PHNs, Department of Health, Department of Communities, Pilbara Aboriginal Health Alliance), supplemented by Medicare bulk billing for GP Management Plans and other MBS items; NDIS fee-for-service is emerging as a layered revenue stream. All services are provided free of charge at the point of care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, with Closing the Gap and Medicare arrangements covering medications and chronic disease management. Go-to-market is sales-led via clinic and community outreach, with no commercial customer acquisition motion.

Name

Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service

Legal name

Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service

Website

https://www.puntukurnu.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1966

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

PAMS is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation delivering free, culturally safe primary healthcare, chronic disease, mental health, aged care, NDIS, and environmental health services to Martu and Nyiyaparli peoples across five remote East Pilbara communities in Western Australia, funded by federal and state government grants and Medicare.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community-Controlled Aboriginal Health Services

NAICS

Health Care and Social Assistance (62), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Public/County Primary Care Clinics (HLAFAGAI)

Keywords

• Aboriginal community health
• Primary health care
• Remote area nursing
• Chronic disease management
• Indigenous health services

Headquarters

HQ city

Newman

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Program Funding: PAMS receives ongoing federal and state government funding to deliver health programs including Indigenous Healing Services (Department of Communities), Integrated Team Care (Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care via PHNs), Environmental Health Program (Department of Health – Environmental Health Directorate), and Cancer Care (NACCHO under Improving First Nations Cancer Outcomes Program).
2. Medicare Billing: Services including GP Management Plans (GPMP) are funded through Medicare for eligible patients with no out-of-pocket cost. Bulk billing is available at clinics. Closing the Gap scripts provide free or discounted medicines for clients with or at risk of chronic disease.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

PAMS is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation delivering comprehensive primary health care, chronic disease management, mental health and social-emotional wellbeing programs, kidney dialysis, cancer care, child and maternal health, immunisations, environmental health, NDIS support, and visiting specialist services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across five remote communities in the East Pilbara and Western Desert regions of Western Australia. All services are delivered free of charge to eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients through permanent clinics, GP outreach, telehealth, and patient transport assistance.

Product overview

Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service (PAMS) operates as an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) providing a comprehensive suite of healthcare and community wellbeing services across the East Pilbara region of Western Australia. The organization functions as a unified healthcare delivery platform rather than a modular software product, offering services through five clinic locations (Newman, Jigalong, Parnngurr, Punmu, and Kunawarritji). The core service portfolio includes Primary Health Care as the foundational offering, supported by specialized programs such as the Integrated Team Care (ITC) Program for chronic disease management, the Newman Dialysis Clinic (operated by Purple House), Cancer Care Program with national screening program promotion, Elder Care Support Program for My Aged Care navigation, Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) Program, Culture Care Connect for mental health crisis aftercare, Indigenous Healing Services, and the First Steps to Change family violence intervention program. Additional services encompass sexual health and STI support, immunisations (including flu vaccination), child and maternal health, environmental health, NDIS support services, and the Puyu Paki Tackling Indigenous Smoking program. Visiting specialists provide additional medical services including renal physicians, paediatricians, and allied health professionals. The organization follows the ACCHS Model of Care emphasizing holistic, culturally responsive healthcare delivery by community, for community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Primary Health Care Comprehensive primary healthcare services providing holistic health promotion and education, early intervention and prevention, case management, 24/7 emergency care, chronic disease management, and community-based activities through a multidisciplinary team of resident and visiting health professionals for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in remote East Pilbara communities.
• Newman Dialysis Clinic First dialysis centre for Newman and neighbouring communities, funded by BHP and run by Purple House staff, equipped with dialysis machines capable of treating up to 4 patients per day (8 patients total at 3 treatments per week) for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous residents requiring regular dialysis.
• Integrated Team Care (ITC) Program Chronic disease support program funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care via Primary Health Networks (PHN), ensuring clients receive timely, coordinated, and culturally appropriate care by connecting them with GPs, specialists, nurses, and allied health professionals through care coordination, multidisciplinary support, specialist referrals, and financial assistance.
• Flu Vaccination Free annual influenza vaccination service available to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples over 6 months of age, provided at all PAMS clinic locations.
• Sexual Health and STI Support Confidential and culturally safe STI and Blood Borne Virus (BBV) program focusing on education, prevention, early detection and treatment, including opportunistic screening, symptomatic care, treatment and follow-up, and partner notification for community members.
• Cancer Care Program Cancer diagnosis support and treatment coordination program funded by NACCHO under the Improving First Nations Cancer Outcomes Program, promoting national cancer screening programs including lung screening (ages 50-70), cervical screening (ages 25-74), bowel screening (ages 45-74), and breast screening (ages 40-74).
• Elder Care Support Program Support and assistance program funded by NACCHO for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients aged 50+ (60+ for non-Indigenous) with My Aged Care system applications and assessments, including advocacy, document compilation, housing applications, and accessing local and regional aged care services.
• Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) Program Confidential and culturally responsible service covering remote communities of Jigalong, Parnngurr, Kunawarritji and Punmu, providing early intervention and mental health support through connection to country and culture, including goal-setting, cultural activities, advocacy, and referrals.
• Culture Care Connect Aftercare support program for individuals and families experiencing thoughts of self-harm and suicidal ideation, funded by the Pilbara Aboriginal Health Alliance until June 2027, providing wrap-around holistic support, one-on-one support, family and peer support, and connection to clinical, cultural and community supports.
• Indigenous Healing Services (IHS) Support service for children, young people under 18 and families healing from trauma, funded by the Department of Communities as part of the Child Sexual Abuse Therapy Services and Indigenous Healing Services initiative, using traditional and contemporary healing approaches encompassing physical, social, emotional, cultural, and spiritual wellbeing through therapeutic yarning, counselling, and community engagement.
• First Steps to Change Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence (FDSV) men's program delivered across Newman and remote East Pilbara communities, offering a 12-session culturally grounded trauma-aware intervention, individual SEWB counselling, cultural engagement activities, and referral services.
• Puyu Paki - Don't Smoke, Give It Up! Tackling Indigenous Smoking (TIS) program funded by IAHP until 30 June 2026, supporting people to quit smoking through population health promotion activities, community education, smoke-free workplace training, and advocacy for smoke-free places at regional and national levels.
• Environmental Health Program Program funded by the Department of Health Environmental Health Directorate, addressing environmental health factors impacting health in homes and communities, offering safe and healthy home assessments, environmental health management plans, pest management, mosquito management strategies, and health promotion.
• NDIS Support Services Provider of NDIS services including Support Coordination, Evidence and Access Coordination, and Remote Community Connectors, helping individuals understand access procedures, develop individualised plans, coordinate providers, and liaise with the NDIA.
• Chronic Disease Management Plans (GPMP) GP Management Plan program fully covered by Medicare with no out-of-pocket cost for patients with chronic or ongoing medical conditions lasting 6 months or more, including diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, asthma, chronic pain, and mental health conditions, with allied health referrals and Team Care Arrangements.
• Immunisations Adult and child immunisation program providing vaccinations at all PAMS clinic locations, including routine childhood vaccinations and adult immunisations.
• Visiting Specialists Access to visiting medical and allied health specialists including Paediatrician, Renal Physician, Ear and Hearing Health Services, Optometry Services, Podiatry Service, Dietician, Physiotherapy Service, Diabetes Educator, Mental Health Services, and Women's Health Obstetrics.
• Child and School Health Child health program for children 0-18 years providing child health checks, immunisations, school entry health assessments, hearing checks, and developmental checks, with Child Health Nurses practicing at advanced level in partnership with parents and caregivers.
• Maternal, Infant and Child Health Health services for mothers, infants and children supporting maternal and child health outcomes through comprehensive care.
• Patient Journey / Transport Patient transport assistance through an Aboriginal Liaison Officer assisting patients from the Western Desert region and Newman to access travel and accommodation via the Patient Assisted Transport Scheme (PATS), with the Country to City program assisting Aboriginal patients with care plans.
• Jiji Program Family support program providing assistance to families with children, as referenced in client information materials.
• 715 Health Check Annual free health check available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of all ages, bulk billed at Aboriginal Medical Services, covering blood pressure, blood sugar levels, height, weight, urine checks, and family medical history review.

Named customers2 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Purple HousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPurple House staff operate the Newman Dialysis Centre. The centre, funded by BHP, is the first dialysis facility for Newman and neighbouring communities. Purple House provides specialist nurses trained in dialysis treatment, managing machines capable of treating up to 4 patients per day (8 patients total at 3x/week).
• Heart of AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeart of Australia's Lung Screening truck visits Newman every 3 months, equipped to perform CT scans for the National Lung Cancer Screening Program. PAMS GPs make referrals for eligible patients.
• Mawarnkarra and Wirraka Maya Health ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPAMS is a proud partner in the Pilbara Tackling Indigenous Smoking (PTIS) program alongside Mawarnkarra and Wirraka Maya Health Services, working to reduce tobacco use in Aboriginal communities across the Pilbara region.
• Act Belong CommitminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPAMS is a proud partner of Act Belong Commit (ABC), a mental health promotion campaign encouraging people to take action to improve and protect their mental health and wellbeing. PAMS SEWB program participates in this campaign.
• Martumilli ArtistsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPAMS Social and Emotional Wellbeing and programs team collaborates with Martumilli Artists through regular Martumilli Morning Teas, bringing artists and community members together for connection and wellbeing support.
• AHCWA (Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPAMS follows the ACCHS Model of Care aligned with AHCWA standards. The ACCHS Model of Care empowers Aboriginal communities to design and deliver holistic and culturally appropriate health care.
• WA ACCHS (Western Australian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services sector)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPAMS as an ACCHO encourages partnerships between WA ACCHS and key stakeholders, provides advocacy for the ACCHS sector on key issues impacting Aboriginal health and wellbeing.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Wirraka Maya Health Services: Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation based in South Hedland, also a PTIS co-partner with PAMS. Comparable ACCHO model delivering primary care, chronic disease programs, and social-emotional wellbeing services to Pilbara Aboriginal communities.
• Mawarnkarra Aboriginal Health Service: Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation serving the Roebourne/West Pilbara region. Explicitly partnered with PAMS in the Pilbara Tackling Indigenous Smoking (PTIS) program, operating the same ACCHO model and serving a comparable remote Indigenous catchment in the Pilbara.
• Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services (KAMS): Regional ACCHO and sector peak body for member services across the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Closely comparable regional ACCHO operating across multiple remote clinics with similar funding mix and visiting-specialist delivery model.
• Ngaanyatjarra Health Service: ACCHO serving the Ngaanyatjarra lands across remote Western Australia, Northern Territory and South Australia. Comparable in operating multiple very remote clinics with fly/drive outreach, telehealth reliance, and Aboriginal governance.
• Central Australian Aboriginal Congress: One of the largest ACCHOs in Australia, based in Alice Springs and serving Central Australian Aboriginal communities. Comparable holistic ACCHO model with comprehensive primary care, social-emotional wellbeing, and chronic disease programs across remote clinics.
• Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service: Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation providing primary health care across multiple clinics in the Perth metropolitan area. Comparable ACCHO governance and service mix, though operating in an urban rather than remote setting.

Broad incumbents

• Western Australian Country Health Service (WACHS): State government-operated public health service delivering hospital and community health services across rural and remote Western Australia, including the Pilbara. Provides overlapping primary and community health services but as part of a much wider non-Aboriginal-controlled portfolio.
• Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT): Peak body for ACCHOs in the Northern Territory. Not a direct service-delivery competitor but a sectoral analogue coordinating ACCHO advocacy, standards, and funding pathways that directly shape PAMS's operating environment.

Emerging players

• Purple House: Aboriginal-controlled dialysis service operating remote dialysis centres across Central and Western Australia, including running PAMS's Newman Dialysis Centre. Comparable mission and remote-service delivery model but specialises in renal care rather than full-scope primary health.

Regional players

• Yandina Aged Care: Aged care provider explicitly identified as PAMS's potential partner in the Aged Care Consortia Model under discussion at the August 2026 SGM. Regionally adjacent service provider operating in the same Pilbara geography but focused on residential aged care rather than primary health.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/PuntukurnuAboriginalMedicalService
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/puntukurnu-aboriginal-medical-service

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 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 Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service