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Tuberculosis (TB) is preventable and treatable condition, but it still remains a major public health issue around the world. In Australia, TB continues to affect some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This can lead to delays in diagnosis and make it harder for people to access timely, culturally safe care.
We have published the National Guidance for the Prevention and Response to Tuberculosis in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Communities. The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Protection and National Tuberculosis Advisory Committee developed the guidance together. It provides a consistent national approach to supporting culturally safe, community-led TB prevention, detection and response activities in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
The guidance aims to improve Australia's response to TB in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and reduce ongoing health inequalities. It also supports the goals of the Strategic Plan for Tuberculosis Elimination and Equity in Australia 2026–2030, including to eliminate local TB transmission in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Early detection saves lives
Find and treating TB early is one of the best ways to reduce its impact and stop it from spreading.
The guidance encourages health professionals and organisations to help people access screening, testing and treatment as early as possible. It also promotes community education and awareness so people know the signs of TB, when to seek help, and where to get care.
Community leadership at the centre
A key message in the guidance is that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership is essential to prevent and respond to TB.
The guidance encourages health services and organisations to work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and organisations when planning, delivering and reviewing TB programs. It recognises that community leadership, self-determination and culturally safe care are essential for improving health outcomes and building trust with communities.
Working together to prevent and respond to TB
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders, TB experts and health sector stakeholders worked together to develop the guidance. It is designed for:
- national, state and territory, and local TB programs
- Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations
- healthcare providers
- public health services and other organisations involved in TB prevention, clinical care and public health responses.
The guidance supports coordinated, community-led action to prevent TB, find cases early, provide treatment and support people throughout their care. It aims to make services easier to access and better able to meet local community needs.
Through a shared national approach, the guidance helps health professionals, organisations and communities work together to reduce the impact of TB and improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.