Indigenous Reference Groups
What is an Indigenous Reference Group?
An Indigenous Reference Group (IRG) is a First Nations led advisory group made up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members who have lived experience of kidney disease as either a patient, carer, or family member.
IRGs provide guidance, cultural leadership, lived experience, and community perspectives to hospitals and health services. They play a vital role in ensuring kidney care and transplantation pathways are culturally safe, community-driven, and shaped by First Nations knowledge.
Supporting Indigenous Reference Groups
Coordinating and expanding IRGs remains a key part of NIKTT's strategy to improve equitable access to kidney transplantation services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
NIKTT can support community groups, hospital and health services to establish IRGs by providing advice, community engagement support, and through sharing of experiences.
If you already have an IRG or considering establishing one, we would be interested in hearing from you. Sharing your experiences help to strengthen the National Network and ensures that First Nations voices continue to shape kidney care across Australia.