The South Australian Aboriginal Health Research Accord 2026–2036

The 2026 refresh of the SA Accord builds on the strong foundations of the inaugural South Australian Aboriginal Health Research Accord (2014-2025) that has been instrumental in changing the way research is done with Aboriginal communities in South Australia.

It centres Aboriginal leadership, voice and decision-making in all aspects of research. The principles are grounded in Aboriginal ways of knowing, being and doing, and represent a living expression of self-determination.

The purpose of the South Australian Aboriginal Health Research Accord is to provide evidence-based and community-informed guidance for health and medical researchers across South Australia who are conducting research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (Morey et al., 2023). It is an agreement on foundational principles of research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in South Australia. The principles complement international and national human health and medical research ethical guidelines and organisational and community guidance on research.

The Accord Artwork ‘Building on Strong Foundations for Future Generations’ was designed by Kaurna, Kokatha and Narungga Artist Steven Warrior in partnership with Eastern Arrernte Artist Pat Caruso. For more information on the artwork story and about the artists click here.

It includes details on:

• The Accord Artwork
• The Accord Journey since 2014
• Each of the 10 Accord Principles including
  • Why the principle is important?
  • What has changed since 2014?
  • Lots of tips on How to put this principle into practice
  • Recommended reading
• Eleven in depth Case Studies describing how the 2014-2025 Accord has been implemented across SA, with clear takeaway messages

The South Australian Aboriginal Health Research Accord 2026–2036 sets a shared commitment to how Aboriginal health research is done in South Australia. These documents help researchers, organisations and communities understand the Accord and apply it in their work.

Use them to guide research planning, partnerships and decision-making. Signatory organisations can also use them to share the Accord with their staff, partners and communities.

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