Vision 2030
Foundational work mapping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aspirations for eye health and the future direction of the sector. Launched 2 May 2023 at Deadly Vision Centre, Darwin NT.
View Vision 2030Who We Are
Australia's national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisation and peak body for eye health and vision care.
Who Are We?
The First Nations Eye Health Alliance (FNEHA) is Australia's national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisation for eye health and vision care. We are the principal voice and peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye health and work nationally to improve eye health, vision care and wellbeing outcomes through leadership, advocacy, service delivery, workforce development, health promotion, research, innovation and partnerships.
Guided by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership and community control, we work alongside Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, governments, health services, researchers, clinicians, universities and industry to eliminate avoidable vision loss and ensure every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person has access to culturally safe, high-quality eye care.
Our work spans policy and systems reform, national programs, workforce development, health promotion, research translation, digital innovation and community-led initiatives that strengthen communities and improve health outcomes across Australia.
Our Origin
How we came to be
FNEHA grew from conversations led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye health professionals at the 2022 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Conference on Larrakia Country in Darwin.
Those conversations identified the need for a dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led national body that could bring community voice, leadership and lived experience into eye health policy, systems and decision-making.
The discussions contributed to the development of Vision 2030 and ultimately to the establishment of the First Nations Eye Health Alliance.
Today, FNEHA continues that vision as Australia's national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled peak body for eye health and vision care.
What we have done
Our Impact Over Time
Since incorporation in 2023, FNEHA has built a growing body of work — producing evidence, leading national consultation, convening the sector and contributing to the systems and policy that shape Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye health.
2023
Forming the Organisation
- FNEHA incorporated under ORIC — 18 July 2023
- Board established; early governance foundations put in place
- Relationship-building with sector peaks and funding bodies
- Seed funding sought
A dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-controlled national eye health organisation was formally established.
2024
Building Foundations
- Organisation seeding and development
- Interim CEO supported through Minum Barreng Indigenous Eye Health Unit
- First Nations national consultation on future eye health priorities
- FNEHA became a company limited by guarantee — November 2024
FNEHA strengthened its governance, organisational capability and national relationships, including transition to a company limited by guarantee in November 2024.
2025
Building Evidence & Community Control
- Establishment funding
- NATSIEHC25 transitioned to FNEHA and community-controlled for the first time
- First research project funded
- Fee-for-service activity commenced
FNEHA expanded research, consultation and national convening, including the transition of NATSIEHC into community-controlled leadership.
2026
Delivering Nationally
- Research, strategy, workforce, service delivery, partnerships and health promotion activities in motion
- National Eye Health Plan development in partnership with FHF and UWA
- Delivered the 10th Anniversary of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Conference
- Kids Vision research project in progress
- Delivering Workforce Innovation for Strong Eyes workforce portal to strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation, capability, and leadership across the eye health workforce.
FNEHA is now delivering national work across planning, research, workforce, health promotion, service development, convening, advocacy and systems reform.
Our work and evidence
FNEHA's work has grown through listening, consultation, evidence and action. Each stage has helped shape the next, from community and sector priorities to research and evaluation to national planning and delivery.
Taking Action
Evidence and consultation identifying prevention priorities and areas for national action — informing the evidence base for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led eye health priorities.
View reportSeeing Our Way
Capturing the collective voice of community, sector leaders, clinicians, researchers and policymakers on the future of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye health.
View reportModels of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Collaborative Care Report
Evaluation and evidence highlighting the importance of stronger Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership and community-controlled approaches in eye health.
View report
Next National Eye Health Plan
National evidence, consultation and research led by FNEHA — in partnership with the Fred Hollows Foundation and the University of Western Australia — to shape the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye health priorities.
Explore the National PlanFNEHA is currently leading development of the next National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Plan in partnership with the Fred Hollows Foundation and the University of Western Australia.
Explore the National Eye Health PlanActive delivery
What We're Delivering Now
FNEHA is actively delivering national work across six areas, with some of the work we are undertaking in this space listed evidence and planning for workforce, health promotion, advocacy and convening NATSIEHC.
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Plan
FNEHA is leading development of the next National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Plan through national consultation, research, evidence development and partnership with the Fred Hollows Foundation and the University of Western Australia.
Explore the National PlanWorkforce Innovation for Strong Eyes (WISE)
FNEHA is developing a national workforce portal to strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation, capability, and leadership across the eye health workforce.
Learn about workforceHealth Promotion Campaigns
FNEHA delivers culturally safe health promotion campaigns — including Check That Sight Today and Eyes Need Eye Appointments — to increase awareness and access to eye health services.
View health promotionResearch and Evidence
FNEHA is building the evidence base for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye health through funded research, partnerships and knowledge translation.
View researchNATIONAL ENGAGEMENT
Our Voice in the National Conversation
FNEHA contributes to national conversations about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, equity, leadership and community-controlled approaches.
VIDEO
National Close the Gap Day 2025
FNEHA contributed to the national conversation about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, equity, leadership and community-controlled approaches.
Watch the conversation →Croakey Health Media · March 2025
MEDIA COVERAGE
Stories of Change: Equity and Justice
Croakey Health Media's coverage of the 2025 Close the Gap Campaign report launch featured FNEHA CEO Lose Fonua speaking about the transformative impact of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led eye health care. FNEHA is one of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led organisations featured in the report, highlighting community-led approaches, leadership and change.
Read the Croakey article →University of Melbourne · May 2023
MEDIA RELEASE
Vision 2030: A Vision for First Nations Eye Health
The launch of Vision 2030 brought together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aspirations for a prevention-focused, equitable, culturally safe and responsive eye health system, and marked an important step in the development of FNEHA.
Read the media release →Our Vision. Our Way.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership and community control are at the heart of everything FNEHA does. We lead from deep knowledge and lived experience, working collectively to ensure every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person has access to culturally safe, high-quality eye care.
Through self-determination, national advocacy and strong partnerships, we are strengthening eye health systems and working towards a future where our communities are healthy, thriving and in control of their own eye health journey.