About us

Lowitja Institute works for the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through high-impact quality research, knowledge exchange, and by supporting a new generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health researchers.

Established in January 2010, we operate on key principles of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, a broader understanding of health that incorporates wellbeing, and the need for the work to have a clear and positive impact.

While Lowitja Institute was officially established in January 2010, its history dates back to 1997 when the first Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Aboriginal and Tropical Health was established. Following three subsequent CRCs, Lowitja Institute became a community controlled organisation and established a membership base led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives in 2020.

Strategic Plan 2024–27

Becoming community controlled

In 2020, Lowitja Institute became a community controlled organisation and established a membership base, led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives.  

As a community controlled organisation, we focus on supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled organisations and researchers.

What we do

Research and knowledge translation

Lowitja Institute has a long track record of supporting Indigenous-led research that reflects the priority needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.

We provide grant funding to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled organisations across Australia to lead research projects that address community priorities and contribute to improved health and wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Policy and advocacy

Lowitja Institute engages in policy and advocacy work that contributes to a range of key policy discussions related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing.

As an organisation, we regularly engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak bodies and professional associations and the Australian Government, as well as mainstream health peak bodies and professional associates, non-government organisations and philanthropic organisations.

Workforce capability

Over the years, Lowitja Institute research projects have developed tools to facilitate learning and to support research, workforce development, and service delivery work.

We keep Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing at the heart of what we do. We offer support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers and organisations through tools, resources and online courses.

Through Lowitja Learning you can explore online courses, learning circles, webinars, workshops, tools, and resources to support your learning journey.