Poche Centre for Indigenous Health

Research Alliance for Urban Community Controlled Health Services (RAUCCHS)

In an Australian first, leaders in First Nations health in our capital cities have joined forces.

The establishment of the National Research Alliance for Urban Community Controlled Health Services (RAUCCHS) is an opportunity to bring together researchers and urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled health service (AICCHS) providers to deliver an innovative national Indigenous urban health research agenda.

This research agenda will be developed in consultation from the outset with urban AICCHS (in the first instance urban refers to capital cities) with support from the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH) and the UQ Poche Centre.

The Alliance will utilise the expertise and capacity of its 28 members to achieve transformational changes in systems, policy, and care through world class research that enhances the capacity of AICCHS to achieve their respective and collective
vision for their community’s wellbeing. 

Objectives:

  • Ensure culturally valid ethical principles guide the Alliance research agenda.
  • Increase connectivity and linkage of urban AICCHS to form a comprehensive health care research network.
  • Deliver a research agenda consistent with the values and aspirations of the Alliance members.
  • Provide reciprocal capacity building opportunities for members of the Alliance.
     

The Urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Equity Dashboards bring together a range of statistics about the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in urban areas across Australia. The dashboards visualise data on health determinants and outcomes to identify, highlight and monitor health outcomes among urban First Nations people.

The State of Play Report 2026 is the inaugural publication of the Research Alliance for Urban Community Controlled Health Services (RAUCCHS). Led by the UQ Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, the report provides a national overview of the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in Australia’s capital cities, and the vital role of Aboriginal and Islander Community Controlled Health Services (AICCHS). It highlights growing urban populations, unmet health needs, and the importance of sustained investment in culturally safe, community‑led healthcare.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Urban Health and Wellbeing Research Framework provides a community‑led guide for strengthening research focused on the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in Australia’s cities. Developed by the UQ Poche Centre for Indigenous Health in partnership with RAUCCHS, the Framework outlines six priority research themes and centres Aboriginal and Islander Community Controlled Health Services as leaders in urban health research, service improvement and evidence‑based advocacy.