Bringing Faster, Local Health Testing to First Nations Communities
02 Jan 2026
Point-of-care testing offers a solution by allowing tests to be done where patients are already receiving care.
Point-of-care testing can take place in clinics, community health centres, or even other local settings. A trained nurse, doctor, or health worker can collect a sample from the patient, process it on site, and provide results immediately. This means that diagnosis and treatment can occur at the same time, without unnecessary delays.
Scientia Professor Rebecca Guy from UNSW Sydney’s Kirby Institute, who leads the Surveillance and Evaluation Research Program, explains, “Detecting infections early allows for timely treatment and lowers the risk of the disease progressing.” Rebecca’s work focuses on improving outcomes for infectious diseases such as HIV, sexually transmissible infections, COVID-19, and other respiratory infections in vulnerable populations.
Expanding Testing for Infectious Diseases
Rebecca and her team are helping rural and remote Aboriginal Health Services expand point-of-care testing nationally. Dr Dawn Casey, Deputy CEO of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), co-leads the project. Funding comes from the Medical Research Future Fund.
The project is evaluating existing testing programs while introducing point-of-care testing for two new infections:
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Group A streptococcus (Strep A) to prevent acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease
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Human Papillomavirus (HPV) to help prevent cervical cancer
The project was shaped through a codesign workshop involving researchers, laboratory staff, policymakers, and community representatives. More than half of the participants were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Ongoing engagement with health services over 12 months ensured that study protocols were evidence-based and aligned with community needs.
From Planning to Action
After receiving ethics approvals, workshops with individual health services helped tailor strategies and resources. Strep A point-of-care testing began earlier this year. Early detection of Strep A pharyngitis is a crucial step in preventing rheumatic heart disease. The project combines a sore throat checklist, developed through the Missing Piece study led by Professor Asha Bowen, with point-of-care testing.
This model ensures clinicians screen children for even mild sore throats, which might otherwise be missed. When paired with rapid testing, it supports timely antibiotic treatment and reduces unnecessary prescriptions. The program will operate in 30 sites nationwide, targeting areas with the highest rates of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease.
Rebecca explains, “Embedding this approach in culturally safe, community-led care creates a scalable, sustainable method to prevent serious diseases. Early implementation marks a significant step toward improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”
Community-Led, Culturally Safe Research
The project is co-led by NACCHO and designed with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities at every stage. Dr Dawn Casey oversees the overall project, while Associate Professor Lisa Whop from ANU leads the HPV testing program. A First Nations Point-of-Care and Research Governance Group provides cultural oversight, ensuring accountability throughout the study.
“Building respectful, long-term relationships with communities, researchers, and stakeholders is essential,” Rebecca says. “Ongoing engagement helps align priorities, build trust, and design research that is culturally appropriate and practical.”
Providing health services with adequate training and resources also ensures meaningful participation. These strategies make the program community-led, relevant to real-world care, and sustainable in the long term.
Source: Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney; National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation; Australian National University; Medical Research Future Fund
