Strengthening healthcare capacity in rural and remote communities is vital to advancing Northern Australia's development. Persistent workforce shortages and geographic isolation continue to limit access to timely, quality care. Digital health solutions offer a powerful means to overcome these barriers, but their success hinges on a workforce equipped with the skills to implement and sustain these innovations.

In response, the Northern Australian Regional Digital Health Collaborative (NARDHC) has developed a specialised digital health microcredential course, designed to upskill healthcare professionals working in geographically isolated regions. This flexible, online learning program provides foundational knowledge and practical strategies across three stackable units, covering the foundations in digital health, emerging technologies, and the implementation of digital innovations in healthcare settings. Crucially, the course is tailored to the realities of rural and remote practice, ensuring content is relevant and immediately applicable.

Since its launch, the microcredential has attracted a diverse range of participants from across Australia, with early feedback emphasising its accessibility, clinical relevance, and practical insights for integrating digital health into daily workflows.

This presentation will highlight the course’s development, informed by collaboration with healthcare curriculum designers, and its alignment with broader efforts to build a digitally enabled workforce in Northern Australia. We will also showcase some of the early-stage learnings in the region and contribute to the wider conversation on harnessing innovation to strengthen healthcare delivery in Northern Australia.