New A$5 million partnership to support Pilbara Aboriginal Health Alliance

PERTH, Australia -- Pilbara Aboriginal Health Alliance (PAHA) and Rio Tinto have formed a new partnership to provide vital community-led health services for Aboriginal People across the Pilbara.

Under the partnership, Rio Tinto will provide A$5 million over five years to the PAHA to help its objective to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander People, families and communities, in the Pilbara.

A new dialysis unit at Tom Price is the first project supported by the partnership, with funds from Rio Tinto helping to provide transport, local accommodation and wrap around support for patients. Construction of the Tom Price Dialysis Unit, which is expected to open in the second half of 2026 and will operate six days a week, has been funded through the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.

PAHA Chief Executive Officer Ashley Councillor said: “This partnership is a significant step toward achieving better health outcomes for Aboriginal People in the Pilbara, grounded in listening to communities and working together to strengthen services that reflect local needs, priorities and aspirations.

“It empowers Aboriginal leadership in health planning and service delivery, ensuring that solutions are community-led and culturally appropriate. By investing in prevention, early intervention and Aboriginal-led governance structures, we are setting the foundation for long-term health improvements for our people."

The partnership will also expand culturally appropriate primary health care to Aboriginal communities in the Shire of Ashburton. It will also deliver preventative health programs to promote healthy lifestyles as part of efforts to reduce the rate of chronic health conditions, including Type 2 diabetes, among Aboriginal People.

Rio Tinto Managing Director Rail, Port and Core Services Richard Cohen said: “We’re committed to listening to people living in the communities where we operate and recognise there is a critical gap in essential health services, particularly in dialysis care.

“We’re pleased to support PAHA to deliver Aboriginal-led health programs that will have lasting benefits and improve quality of life for people living in Pilbara communities. Thank you to the Traditional Owners who provided their valuable guidance in creating this partnership as part of their role in the Regional Implementation Committee.”

Traditional Owners and Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC) representatives in the Rio Tinto Regional Implementation Committee, as well as the PAHA Aboriginal Reference Council, will advise on additional projects to be delivered throughout the five-year partnership. Projects will be developed and delivered with strong cultural governance and local leadership at the core.

PAHA is a partnership between the three Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHO’s) based in the Pilbara region of WA, namely, Mawarnkarra Health Service, Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service and Wirraka Maya Health Service. PAHA works tirelessly alongside its member ACCHO’s to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal People in the Pilbara, by advocating for culturally appropriate healthcare, strengthening regional collaboration and helping secure resources and funding for local health services. For more information on PAHA, please visit: paha.org.au

Jessica Wilson

M +61 421 167 125

E jessica.wilson2@riotinto.com

Winsome Henry

M +61 475 996 383

E deputyceo@paha.org.au

Category: Pilbara