2026 National Indigenous Closing the Gap Health Conference

2026 National Indigenous Closing the Gap Health Conference

The 2026 National Indigenous Closing the Gap Health Conference is scheduled on December 8-10, 2026 at the Hilton Hotel on the Gold Coast. The conference is based on the belief that prevention is better than cure which is grounded in culture, leadership, and holistic wellbeing. It brings together Elders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers, community leaders, researchers, AMS staff, PHN program officers, and policymakers to create a space where the body is nurtured through health innovation, the mind through knowledge sharing, and the spirit through culture, connection to Country, and community wisdom. The conference celebrates Indigenous leadership, truth-telling, and lived experience, while addressing ongoing disparities in life expectancy, chronic disease, mental health, and access to quality care. Through collaboration, storytelling, and evidence-based approaches, participants will share knowledge, strengthen partnerships, and co-design culturally safe, sustainable solutions that empower communities, foster resilience, and advance health equity. It highlights the importance of self-determination, culture, and community-led initiatives in achieving lasting health improvements. More than a conference, this is a movement for action, healing, and transformative change, shaping a future where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples thrive in mind, body, and spirit.

2026 National Indigenous Chronic Diseases Conference

The 2026 National Indigenous Chronic Diseases Conference is scheduled to be held at the Hilton Hotel on the Gold Coast QLD on December 8 - 10, 2026. The conference is envisaged to be a powerful gathering of First Nations Elders, community leaders, healthcare professionals, researchers, and community controlled organisation staff and advocates united in their mission to transform the future of chronic disease care for Indigenous peoples. Over the past ten years, the conference has attracted thousands of attendees bringing together representatives from all states and territories governments, First Nations medical services and mainstream health sectors, community-controlled organisations, First Nations communities, allied health professionals and non-government organisations, primary health networks and research institutions. Set against the rich cultural backdrop of the Northern Territory, this landmark event will spotlight innovative, culturally safe, and community-led strategies to address the disproportionate burden of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, and kidney disease in Indigenous communities. Through keynote presentations, knowledge-sharing forums, and collaborative workshops, the conference will amplify Indigenous voices, promote self-determination in health, and drive systemic change grounded in respect, resilience, and cultural strength. This is more than a conference — it’s a movement toward health equity and lasting healing for generations to come.