Understanding the current, emerging, and future needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the cancer care continuum requires ongoing engagement with communities. This is critical for the continuous development of programs, services, and policies that will have the greatest impact on cancer outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people comprise 3.4% of Australia’s population.[31] Based on projections for 2022, 38% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people live in major cities, 44% live in inner and outer regional areas and 17% live in remote and very remote areas.[165] Place-based engagements will enable self-determination, empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices, and promote community-led decision making on cancer care priorities. Where possible, ongoing engagement should be flexible and take place on Country or close to communities, ensuring that barriers to engagement are minimised and local needs can be relayed across the cancer care system. It is important to acknowledge and enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge, culture, and kinship.

Implementation of this action could include regular formats such as yarning circles with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders, peak organisations, community groups, and individual representatives.

This 5-year action recommends embedding deep ongoing engagements with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and expands beyond Action 6.2.3 Establish and enhance collaborative partnerships with communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led organisations. This action also builds on the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cancer Framework.[108]