Our Story
Our story
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service (ATSICHS) Brisbane started as an initiative of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people searching for a means to play a more direct role in their own health outcomes.
Formed by a group of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community leaders, non-Indigenous doctors and supporters, ATSICHS Brisbane formally commenced operations on 14 May 1973 at a converted shop front in Red Hill.
We have now grown to be one of the largest Indigenous organisations in Queensland and proudly remain community-controlled and managed.
Read more about our story below.
Our history
1973
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service (ATSICHS) Brisbane formally commenced operations at a converted shop front in Red Hill.
1976
We moved to South Brisbane where our service continued to expand.
1981
The then Council of Management sought new premises to accommodate the many programs that the service was now providing.
1985
We moved to 10 Hubert Street in Woolloongabba, a location that was historically close to where large numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples lived in Brisbane.
2006
We moved to temporary premises in West End as a result of plans for the construction of a major tunnel in Brisbane.
2008
We formally changed our name to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service (ATSICHS), in recognition of the two distinct cultural sub-groups that make up the Indigenous population of Brisbane.
2009
We completed major capital works and commenced expanded operations at Woolloongabba, Woodridge, Northgate and Acacia Ridge.
2011
We continued to expand our services, opening a medical and dental clinic at Logan Central and transforming our Woodridge clinic into a mums and bubs clinic.
2014-2015
We opened another clinic in Browns Plains and took over the management of Joyce Wilding Hostel at Eight Mile Plains.
2017
We branched into early childhood by opening our first Deadly Kindy and the Child and Family Centre. We also opened Loganlea medical clinic and added to our child and family services by introducing a family wellbeing service and refreshed youth, child protection and social services.
2018-2019
We purchased a dental van based at the Murri School, welcomed Deadly Kindy Gundoo Mirra and Deadly Choices to our programs and expanded our human service locations in Logan.
2020
We opened Jajumbora Midwifery Hub at Waterford West and the Brisbane North Community Hub at Chermside, supporting children, young people and families. Our Housing Service Ngumpi Uruue became a registered housing provider.
2021
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we opened a respiratory clinic and vaccination hub at Logan Central. We also increased our support services, opening our Logan Social Health Hub.
2022
Our Jajumbora Midwifery Hub moved to Logan Central and shifted to the Birthing in Our Community model of care. We launched our Dental Truck Yalburru Dirun.
2023
We celebrated 50 years of ATSICHS Brisbane.
2024
We launched our Brighter Futures (extended post care support) program to support young adults transitioning from care. We also launched Nyanya Munjindei, our Delegated Authority program to provide decision-making for First Nations children in care. Our Corporate Services team relocated to a new head office in Murarrie, and we opened the redevelopment of the former Joyce Wilding Hostel, now known as Mari-Mari-Ba in late 2024.
2025
Our Jajumbora Birthing in our Community (BiOC) team opened a second location in Kingston and our Jimbelunga Nursing Centre launched their new palliative care program, Banjilam Bareibun.
2025
We have now grown to be one of the largest Indigenous community organisations in Queensland and proudly remain community-owned and managed.
Meet our people
See the people driving change in the community.