Building a culturally safe future in genomics
The National Agreement on Closing the Gap (the National Agreement) is a commitment between all Australian Governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak organisations. Its objective is to enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and governments to work together to overcome the inequality experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Isander people and achieve life outcomes equal to all Australians.
In alignment with the National Agreement, Genomics Australia is committed to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to ensure culturally safe and equitable access to genomics-informed health care, health systems and research.
Honouring culture in genomics and health care
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people represent more than 250 distinct nations, languages and cultural groups across the Australian continent and nearby islands. Their cultures and kinship systems are built on deep connections to Country, family and community.
Cultural safety in genomic health care requires commitment and is an ongoing learning journey for non-Indigenous Australians. Culturally safe genomic health care should also embed awareness and acknowledgement of local histories and variations in cultural protocols. Health care and research should be person‑ and family‑centred, culturally safe, ethical and equitable.
We also must take the time to build trust, support community leadership and ensure that culturally responsive practices guide every stage from policy to practice. Trust grows when communities see their values respected. By protecting privacy and honouring agreements on data use, shared access can support both individual rights and collective benefit.