What is primary health care nursing?

Primary health care is any medical service that is provided outside the four walls of a hospital, including aged care, community health, general practice, custodial, schools and many other primary health care settings. Australia's 96,000+ primary health care nurses play a critical role in disease prevention and control to keep people healthy. They provide proactive care and health promotion to keep Australians well.

Building Nurse Capacity project

Professional Indemnity Insurance

Advocacy

Aboriginal community controlled health nursing

With APNA membership, Aboriginal Community Health Organisation (ACCHO) nurses thrive in their careers.

APNA is the peak body and professional membership association for all nurses working outside of a hospital setting in Australia—like the nurses who work in aboriginal medical health services.

ACCHO nurses play a significant role in supporting the local Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander communities to live better lives. The holistic approach of nursing provides social, emotional, and physical support to ensure overall wellbeing.

What’s it like being a primary health care nurse working in an aboriginal medical health service?

APNA membership for ACCHO nurses

ACCHO nurses who are APNA members receive: up-to-date education and resources; the latest industry news and guidelines; communities, expert advice and support; and career tools and professional benefits.

See the full range of APNA Member Benefits

Specific APNA member benefits for ACCHO nurses

Online Education

Enrol in over 50 courses relevant for ACCHO nurses, either FREE or discounted for members—including courses on Cardiovascular Disease Risk – Assessment & Management, Foundations of Facilitating Behaviour Change , Population Health for Nurses, Risky Alcohol Use in Primary Care & much more.

Community and Networking

Connect with other ACCHO nurses at networking events or via the APNA Online Community. After all, no one understands ACCHO nurses better than an ACCHO nurse.

Expert Support and Advice

Receive one-on-one support from experienced nurses on APNA’s Nurse Support Line. If you’re having trouble with a clinical issue, have a question about medication, or want to understand the career pathways for an ACCHO nurse—we’re only a phone call away.

Educational Events - Workshops, Webinars and Festival of Nursing

Learn, connect and re-energise alongside other ACCHO nurses at the annual APNA Festival of Nursing, with a variety of education sessions for ACCHO nurses. Don't want to wait? We run a number of educational workshops and webinars throughout the year perfect for ACCHO nurses.

News and Resources

New developments in Aboriginal medical health services? You'll be the first to know with an email alert sent straight to your inbox. Or you can stay up-to-date with clinical developments via our Nurse Know-How video series or the APNA Knowledge HUB.

Professional Indemnity Insurance

Protect your livelihood and career. APNA has negotiated cost-effective Professional Indemnity Insurance for its members which covers ACCHO nurses for anything within their scope of practice.