Health
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Vaccination Program
Information about vaccination programs for Indigenous children and adults is provided on the Department of Health and Aging website.
Medicare Australia
The Australian Government has implemented a range of health measures specifically tailored to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Medicare Australia administers a number of these programs, such as health assessments for 55 years and over, adult health checks and the Indigenous access program. They also have a free-call telephone service to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander customers and health workers.
The Access line is supported by the Medicare Liaison Officers for Indigenous Access who are culturally aware of the special conditions that may affect Indigenous people.
Phone: 1800 556 955
North Coast Area Health Service
Although there is no formal Aboriginal Health Clinic in Byron Shire, an Aboriginal Health Worker based at Ballina, comes to Byron Bay Community Health to see clients when needed. They also provide an outreach service to Mullumbimby.
Phone: 02 6685 6254
The Bugalwena Service at Tweed Heads provides a variety of services to the indigenous community, which include crisis intervention, counselling, advocacy and support, immunisation programs (including home immunisation) and supported playgroups in the Tweed Valley.
They also focus on mental health and offer counselling and emergency support. The Bugalwena Service assists clients in accessing services including Centrelink, Department of Housing, Legal Services etc.
The Bugalwena Services is a confidential service open to all members of the community.
Phone: 07 5506 7597