How this area is examined
The AKT is 150 single-best-answer questions in a four-hour paper sitting. In the 2026.1 sitting, 1,117 candidates sat the exam and 80.6% passed, with a pass mark of 67.1% set by the modified Angoff method. The RACGP notes that questions can have between five and ten options, that more than one option may be plausible, and that you must choose the most appropriate one for the scenario.
Recent reports list "identifying Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients" and "screening in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people" among examined topics.
Identifying patients
Ask every patient: "Are you of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin?" Never assume from appearance. Record the answer accurately so the patient can access health checks, earlier screening, extra vaccines and CTG medicine support.
The National Guide and the 715 health check
The RACGP and NACCHO National guide to preventive healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people gives age-specific recommendations. The MBS item 715 health assessment can be done once every 9 months at any age, with follow-up through practice nurses, Aboriginal health workers and up to 10 allied health services a year.
Where care starts earlier or differs
| Area | What changes |
|---|---|
| CVD risk | Absolute risk assessment from age 30 |
| Diabetes and kidney disease | Earlier and more frequent screening, including urine ACR |
| Immunisation | Extra funded vaccines, including influenza from 6 months and earlier pneumococcal and shingles vaccines |
| Rheumatic heart disease | Treat strep throat and skin sores in high-risk communities; secondary prophylaxis with benzathine benzylpenicillin after ARF |
| Ear health | High rates of otitis media; antibiotics are recommended more readily for higher-risk children |
| Eye health | Trachoma in some remote communities; diabetic retinopathy screening |
Medicines and access
The Closing the Gap PBS Co-payment Program reduces or removes the co-payment for eligible patients. Ask about cost, transport and access before labelling poor adherence.
Working with ACCHOs and Aboriginal health workers
- Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations are run by local communities and provide comprehensive primary care.
- Aboriginal health workers and practitioners are clinical colleagues who support assessment, education and follow-up.
- Involve family and community in decisions where the patient wishes.
Culturally safe practice
Cultural safety is defined by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients, families and communities. Reflect on your own assumptions, offer interpreters where needed, and plan care in partnership. See our cultural safety guide and our First Nations health guide.
Worked examples
Worked example 1 · CVD risk
A 34-year-old Aboriginal man attends for a 715 health check. He smokes and has a blood pressure of 136/84. What is the most appropriate cardiovascular assessment?
- A No assessment until age 45
- B Absolute CVD risk assessment now
- C Exercise stress test
- D Coronary angiography
- E Check lipids at 40
Show the reasoning
Answer B. The 2023 Australian guideline recommends absolute CVD risk assessment from age 30 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Smoking cessation support is also a priority.
Worked example 2 · Rheumatic fever
A 9-year-old Aboriginal girl from a remote community has a sore throat and fever. What is the most appropriate management?
- A Analgesia only, as most sore throats are viral
- B Penicillin to treat possible group A streptococcal infection
- C Azithromycin for 3 days
- D Throat swab and wait for results before any decision
- E Oral prednisolone
Show the reasoning
Answer B. In populations at high risk of acute rheumatic fever, group A streptococcal pharyngitis should be treated with penicillin to prevent rheumatic fever. Local guidance may recommend benzathine benzylpenicillin.
Common traps
- Assuming identification from appearance.
- Waiting until 45 for CVD risk assessment.
- Withholding antibiotics for sore throat in high-risk communities.
- Labelling non-adherence without asking about cost or access.
Free sample aboriginal and torres strait islander health questions
Questions from our GP AKT bank. Choose your answer, then open the explanation.
A new patient registers at your practice. What is the most appropriate way to record Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status?
- ADecide based on appearance
- BRecord it only if a family member says so
- CAsk every patient the standard question
- DAsk only patients who appear to have darker skin
- EAsk only if they live remotely
Show answer and explanation
Answer C. Every patient should be asked "Are you of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin?" Assumptions based on appearance are inaccurate and inappropriate. Accurate recording enables access to health assessments, earlier screening and CTG medicines.
Learning point: Ask every patient the standard identification question.
A 2-year-old Aboriginal child in a remote community has acute otitis media. What is recommended?
- AEar drops only
- BNo treatment as it always resolves
- CWatchful waiting for 1 week
- DStart amoxicillin at diagnosis
- ERefer for grommets at the first episode
Show answer and explanation
Answer D. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, particularly in remote communities, have higher rates of complications and chronic suppurative otitis media. Antibiotics (amoxicillin) are recommended at diagnosis, with follow-up to ensure resolution and hearing checks.
Learning point: Aboriginal children with AOM (high-risk settings): amoxicillin at diagnosis and follow-up hearing.
A 12-year-old Aboriginal girl from a remote community was diagnosed with acute rheumatic fever. What is the most appropriate long-term prevention?
- ABenzathine benzylpenicillin injections every 28 days
- BOral amoxicillin only when she has a sore throat
- CNo treatment unless her heart is affected
- DAspirin daily for 10 years
- EAn annual echocardiogram, with antibiotics only if valve disease
Show answer and explanation
Answer A. Secondary prophylaxis with benzathine benzylpenicillin G injections every 28 days (or 21 days in some cases) prevents recurrent ARF and progression of rheumatic heart disease. Duration depends on severity, usually at least 10 years.
Learning point: After ARF: benzathine benzylpenicillin every 28 or 21 days for years.
Practise more aboriginal and torres strait islander health questions free
Every aboriginal and torres strait islander health subtopic in our bank
The bank holds 19 aboriginal and torres strait islander health questions across 19 subtopics. You can filter by any of them, build a custom block and track your accuracy subtopic by subtopic.
- Aboriginal health check1
- Aboriginal health worker role1
- Acute rheumatic fever secondary prophylaxis1
- Chronic suppurative otitis media1
- Closing the Gap PBS co-payment1
- Culturally safe care1
- Diabetes in First Nations people1
- Diabetes screening in Aboriginal adults1
- Follow-up after a 715 health check1
- Hepatitis B in Aboriginal people1
- Identifying Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients1
- Kidney disease screening1
- Kidney health check1
- Otitis media in Aboriginal children1
- Rheumatic heart disease1
- Skin sores and strep1
- Smoking cessation in Aboriginal communities1
- Smoking in pregnancy for First Nations women1
- Trachoma1
Common questions
Is Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health tested in the AKT?
Yes. Recent RACGP reports list identifying Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and screening in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people among examined topics.
How often can a 715 health check be claimed?
Once every 9 months, for patients of any age.
At what age should CVD risk be assessed?
From 30 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Sources
Clinical content is summarised from current Australian guidance at the date above. Guidelines change, so always check the latest edition.