Cultural Safety Accreditation Progam

VACCHO developed Victoria’s first Cultural Safety Accreditation (CSA) program to enable organisations to undertake an in-depth review of their systems, processes, and people to transform cultural awareness into culturally safe practice.

This vital program ensures health organisations across the state engage with the CSA to promote and prioritise culturally safe and inclusive healthcare in Victoria for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders living in Victoria.

CSA Standards

VACCHOs Cultural Safety Accreditation (CSA) framework provides a standards-based approach to creating culturally safe and inclusive spaces for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples in Victoria. The standards developed within this framework provide the foundation for the delivery and outcomes of the CSA process.

The CSA Standards align with best-practice cultural safety, self-determination and cultural competency, as well as the existing legal and regulatory obligations of organisations delivering health and wellbeing services in Victoria.

Organisations seeking CSA accreditation or certification must meet these Standards and the aligned goals, actions and requirements.

Respect: Embedding respect in the practice of organisations, including respectful behaviour, language and environments, respect for diversity and difference, respect for Country and place in history.

Equity and Diversity: Observing and celebrating the diversity, intersectionality, and individual needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and patients. Homogenous approaches to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are avoided.

Self-determination: Embedding self-determination in all practices of the organisation relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Education: Ongoing education and training for staff to ensure consistent understandings and commitment to cultural safety.

Accountability and Truth Telling: Organisations are responsible for, and uphold, a zero tolerance on racism, discrimination, and all forms of bullying, with clear processes and procedures for dealing with cultural safety breaches. This standard also provides for clear and unencumbered avenues for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to raise grievances without repercussions.

Relationships and Partnerships: Building, maintaining, and strengthening reciprocal and ongoing relationships with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.

Commitment: Organisations are committed to culturally safe practices and embedding meaningful changes in their ongoing journey towards cultural competency and safety.

Humanity and Human Rights: The organisation recognises and upholds the rights of Indigenous peoples, with wide-reaching consideration for the humanity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

© Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Inc 2022.

Copyright in the CSA Standards, all images, text, information, resources and other content used for or in relation to the CSA Standards (collectively material) is owned by VACCHO and protected under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth).

The CSA Standards and associated materials cannot be reproduced, published, communicated to the public, edited or adapted, stored or redistributed in whole, or in part, by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written consent of VACCHO.
Dealing with any part of the CSA Standards or the material on this webpage for any purpose that has not been authorised by VACCHO may constitute a serious breach of the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth).

Contact VACCHO’s CSS team for enquiries about permitted uses.