Apunipima Cape York Health Council (ACYHC) was conceived at the Pajinka Wilderness Lodge, near Injinoo (the tip of Cape York) on the 14th of September 1994 with a mandate to carry the health-related issues to both the Cape York Land Council and the then ATSIC Regional Council. The representatives from 17 communities of Cape York and associated Homelands held a four day health conference concerned about the lack of improvement in the health status of Cape York Aboriginal people. Representatives resolved to make the move to form the Health Council.
Apunipima Cape York Health Council is the lead agency representing the health needs of Cape Communities.
Since that time the organisation has tripled in size from a small group of 15 to now over 40 staff at June 2009 located in premises at McCoombe Street, Cairns and within local Cape York communities. The staff and the Board are constantly working to create an environment that will facilitate an improvement in the health of individuals and communities in Cape York.
The initial strategy adopted by the organisation is a systems advocacy approach where the Government and non-government service providers are lobbied to improve services and resources to Aboriginal communities in Cape York. The original core business of the organisation has been to coordinate and advocate on health activities, facilitate a change in service delivery and develop innovative solutions in partnership with communities to improve access to services for Aboriginal people.
The health reforms which were identified in 2006 identified the need to transition from an advocacy and lobbying organisation to a service delivery organisation. In 2008 ACYHC began to implement health services across Cape York communities in a gradual planned stage-by-stage process.