Our story
The Partnership was established in 2016
The Partnership’s key priority over the first two years was the development of the competency standards framework for clinicians in the context of cultural responsiveness and working with people from migrant and refugee backgrounds. The Partnership also developed relevant resources, and sought to inform policy and practice through consultation and advice.
The work of the Partnership was overseen by the Working Group with representation from 11 medical colleges, peak professional bodies for nurses and midwives, community, and government.
Two specialist sub-working groups were formed to further inform the work:
- Sub-Working Group on Refugee Women’s Health and Settlement
- Sub-Working Group on Effective Communication and Working with Interpreters in Health Care Settings
These working structures convened regularly to progress the Partnership’s priorities.
In early 2019, following the completion and the launch of the competency standards framework—a major milestone for the Partnership—and a strategic review, our name changed to Migrant and Refugee Health Partnership. This is reflective of the evolution of the Partnership’s scope since its inception, providing a broader focus on migrant and refugee health. Women’s health has been and will remain one the Partnership’s key priorities.

What we do
The purpose of the Partnership
To achieve this, we support sharing of good practice and collaboration among clinicians, community, health care services, and government agencies.
We provide focus both on the capacity of clinicians and health service organisations to provide culturally responsive care, as well as on the capacity of migrant and refugee communities to understand their health and navigate the healthcare system.
The Partnership’s objectives include:
- Supporting the implementation of the Competency Standards Framework for Clinicians Culturally responsive clinical practice: Working with people from migrant and refugee backgrounds and the Guide for Clinicians Working with Interpreters in Healthcare Settings
- Supporting clinicians and health service organisations in providing culturally responsive care through resources
- Promoting cultural considerations in the context of migrant and refugee communities in the design and delivery of health services
- Identifying strategic opportunities for enhancing health and health system literacy in migrant and refugee communities;
- Informing broader health and social policy debate and contributing to evidence development and research
