Rio Tinto has committed $5 million over five years to support Pilbara Aboriginal health through a new partnership. This collaboration is with the Pilbara Aboriginal Health Alliance (PAHA), a key advocate for Indigenous healthcare needs. The partnership focuses on delivering culturally safe, community-led health services across Western Australia’s Pilbara region.
The investment will address long-standing health disparities affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations. With the mining sector’s presence in the Pilbara, Rio Tinto recognises the importance of investing in local wellbeing. This initiative reflects growing support for Indigenous voices in health planning and service development.
Tom Price Dialysis Unit to Transform Local Access
The first major project funded under the agreement is a Tom Price dialysis unit, scheduled to open by late 2026. This unit will offer dialysis services six days a week, easing the burden of long-distance travel for patients. Dialysis patients often must travel hundreds of kilometres to access treatment from regional centres like Karratha or Perth.
The new facility will include transport, accommodation and patient support services for improved continuity of care. Its construction is supported through the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. By placing the facility locally, the project provides dignity, comfort, and community connection for those receiving care.
PAHA Highlights Aboriginal Leadership and Ownership
PAHA chief executive officer Ashley Councillor highlighted that this partnership is built on community leadership and respect. He stressed the importance of listening to Indigenous communities and building solutions that meet their specific needs. “This partnership is a significant step toward better outcomes, grounded in local voices and collaboration,” Councillor stated.
It reflects PAHA’s vision of Aboriginal people leading the design and delivery of services for their communities. The model ensures services are not just accessible but also culturally appropriate and sustainable in the long term. Empowering Aboriginal leadership supports healing, self-determination, and improved trust in health systems.
Pilbara Aboriginal Health Alliance
Expanding Health Services Across the Pilbara
The agreement also supports broader expansion of Indigenous health services beyond Tom Price and into surrounding areas. Communities across the Shire of Ashburton will benefit from enhanced access to primary care infrastructure and outreach. Preventive health programs will also be delivered to reduce chronic disease rates, including Type 2 diabetes. These programs will target risk factors like poor nutrition, limited mobility, and low screening participation.
Access to regular check-ups and culturally trained health workers is vital to reducing avoidable hospital visits. Rio Tinto and PAHA aim to improve long-term community health resilience through these wraparound services.
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Rio Tinto Reinforces its Role in Community Health
Rio Tinto managing director of rail, port and core services Richard Cohen expressed strong support for the initiative. “We’re pleased to support PAHA to deliver Aboriginal-led health programs with lasting benefits,” Cohen said. He acknowledged the need for improved local infrastructure that empowers Pilbara communities to live healthier lives.
Rio Tinto’s contribution is part of a broader effort to embed social value and respect in their regional operations. Through funding and collaboration, the company is playing a role in addressing structural barriers to health equity. This also strengthens relationships with Traditional Owners and aligns with broader commitments to reconciliation.
Future Planning Guided by Traditional Owners and Elders
Future projects under the partnership will be guided by Traditional Owners, Elders, and local knowledge holders. PAHA’s Aboriginal Reference Council and prescribed body corporate (PBC) representatives will lead consultations and planning. This governance model ensures that each initiative reflects cultural priorities, historical context and community aspirations.
Consultation will guide decisions from service location and design to workforce recruitment and operational strategy. By centring Aboriginal decision-making, the initiative strengthens cultural safety and local accountability in healthcare delivery. It also sets a standard for future collaborations between industry, government, and Indigenous communities in remote Australia.
Supporting Long-Term Indigenous Health Outcomes
The collaboration between Rio Tinto and PAHA represents a new chapter for Pilbara Aboriginal health delivery. Access to timely and culturally competent healthcare can reduce avoidable deaths and hospital admissions. It also supports families, boosts economic participation, and restores dignity for those historically marginalised in services.
The Tom Price dialysis unit is just the beginning of broader transformation in Pilbara healthcare access and inclusion. Over time, the partnership aims to build a more responsive, equitable, and community-driven health system in the region. Together, Rio Tinto and PAHA are proving that Indigenous-led initiatives deliver better, lasting outcomes for all.
