2026 National Indigenous Closing the Gap Health Conference

In Australia, protocol requires us to recognise the Traditional Owners of the land on which we gather. All presentations must therefore begin with an acknowledgement to Country and to local Traditional Elders: "We wish to acknowledge and respect the traditional custodians whose ancestral lands we meet upon. We acknowledge the deep feelings of attachment and relationship of Aboriginal peoples to Country. We also pay respects to the cultural authority of Aboriginal peoples visiting or attending from other areas of Australia who are present here." Indigenous Conference Services acknowledges and pays respect to the Traditional people of the Country. "Welcome to Country" ceremonies and "acknowledging the traditional custodians" of the land demonstrates respect for Aboriginal people as Australia's First Peoples. Ceremonies and protocols form a fundamental part of Aboriginal cultures.

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.