A national program supporting pregnant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to quit smoking and vaping will be significantly expanded after Southern Cross University’s SISTACARE received a $2.46 million grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
The funding, totalling $2,460,706 over four years, is the program’s third grant in a decade from the NHMRC’s Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD), underscoring its national significance.
SISTACARE builds on the SISTAQUIT program, established in 2016 and now entering its sixth phase, which aims to embed culturally safe smoking and vaping cessation care into routine pregnancy services across Australia.
The announcement coincides with the launch of a new SISTAQUIT app designed to deliver quit-smoking support directly to Indigenous women.
Scaling up a proven model
Smoking during pregnancy remains a major contributor to low birthweight, pre-term birth and perinatal mortality, and is linked to childhood health inequalities among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations. While many First Nations women are motivated to quit, barriers remain in accessing culturally appropriate and safe support.
Program lead Professor Gillian Gould of Southern Cross University said the new funding would expand partnerships with hospitals, midwifery teams and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services nationwide.
“This grant enables us to reach every health service that cares for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women during pregnancy,” Professor Gould said.
“Our project is led by Aboriginal experts and community voices. Together, we’re strengthening health systems, reducing risks, and supporting long-term community wellbeing.”
Health professionals play a critical role in supporting expectant mothers but have often lacked the training and tools to address smoking and vaping.
“Through the SISTAQUIT training, health professionals report feeling far more confident, skilled, and optimistic about providing cessation care to pregnant Aboriginal mums,” Professor Gould said.
“We’re equipping staff with practical training and digital tools so women can access the right support wherever they receive their pregnancy care.”
A decade of community partnership
Midwives, nurses, GPs and Aboriginal health workers can undertake SISTAQUIT training online free of charge through self-paced modules.
Over the past decade, the initiative has partnered with about 60 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services and numerous mainstream providers. Its national community of practice includes 250 health professionals who meet monthly to share insights and strengthen culturally safe care.
“This is not a short-term project,” Professor Gould said.
“It’s about transforming health systems so Aboriginal mothers and babies benefit now and for generations to come.”
Community-led leadership
SISTACARE combines digital tools, culturally safe care and community connection to support healthier pregnancies and stronger outcomes for families.
SISTACARE Aboriginal Chief Investigator Rebecca Hyland, a Kamilaroi-Gomeroi woman and senior research project manager at Southern Cross University, said the program reflected the strength of Aboriginal communities.
“Our women are strong, resilient, and deeply motivated to quit the smokes and give their babies the best start in life,” Hyland said.
“What we need are health systems that provide the best possible support for women to quit smoking and vaping – and this funding helps make that a reality.”
Global recognition
The GACD is an international network of research funders focused on reducing chronic disease in underserved communities.
Professor Gould said its continued support had been central to SISTAQUIT’s success.
“The Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases has backed our work from the beginning,” she said.
“Their commitment to real-world implementation research has helped us bring evidence into everyday care. We’re proud to be part of the GACD family.”
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