For over 40 years, Central Australian Aboriginal Congress (Congress) has provided support and advocacy for Aboriginal people in the struggle for justice and equity.

Since that time, Congress has expanded to become the largest Aboriginal community-controlled health organisation in the Northern Territory, providing a comprehensive, holistic and culturally-appropriate primary health care service to Aboriginal people living in and nearby Alice Springs, including five remote communities; Amoonguna, Ntaria (and Wallace Rockhole), Santa Teresa, Utju (Areyonga) and Mutitjulu.

Today, they are one of the most experienced Aboriginal primary health care services in the country, a strong political advocate of closing the gap on Aboriginal health disadvantage and a national leader in improving health outcomes for all Aboriginal people.

Congress’ vision is: ‘All Central Australian residents enjoy the same level of health’.

The aspirations of Congress are:

-They are a leader in the provision of Primary Health Care for Aboriginal people in Australia. They look forward, but remember where they have come from.
-They improve the health of their community by providing high quality comprehensive primary health care.
-They provide the highest quality services to their community through all that they do.
-They build the capacity and capability of the people in their organisation. By doing so, they strengthen the capacity of Congress.
-They remain committed as a community controlled organisation.
-They provide employment and professional development opportunities for Aboriginal people at Congress.
-They listen to, and respond to, the needs and wishes of their community.
-They have stable and sustainable funding.
-They ensure the services offered by Congress consistent with community needs.
-They advocate and partner with the broader community to identify and address the causes of poor health such as education, employment and housing.

History: Past, Present, Future

Central Australian Aboriginal Congress began at a meeting held on 9 June 1973.

The name was modelled on the Congress Party of Mahatma Gandhi and it was open to all Aboriginal people in Central Australia.

Over one hundred people from town and bush talked about the need to safeguard and promote the interests of Aboriginal people.

Congress' initial aims were to be a voice for the Aboriginal people of Central Australia on all matters that concerned them.

A Cabinet was elected to represent people from Central Australia. Congress was the second organisation of Aboriginal people formed in the region (CAALAS was formed the morning of the same day) and one of the first in Australia.

Congress' first service was a 'Tent Program', providing shelter to Aboriginal people in town. As time went by, other Aboriginal organisations grew to take care of issues like housing, education, and land. But health remained a great concern for Aboriginal people, and in 1975, Congress started a Medical Service in a house on Hartley Street. A doctor was employed and transport and welfare services set up.

Congress became the voice of Aboriginal health. The Congress Clinic moved to its current premises on Gap Rd in 1988. Congress Alukura opened on its current site south of the Gap in 1994.

In December 2012, it was voted at a General Meeting that Congress would register under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (CATSI Act), and the organisation officially became Central Australian Aboriginal Congress Aboriginal Corporation.