Currently, life expectancy at birth for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is on average 8 to 9 years less than non-Indigenous females and males. Wardliparingga Aboriginal Health Equity Theme of the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, has a decade long program of research that is addressing health and wellbeing priorities identified by the Aboriginal community in South Australia. Our focus is on better management and secondary prevention of chronic diseases and understanding and influencing the social and cultural determinants of health, aged care and healthy ageing. We use Indigenous knowledges and methods of health services research, population health and implementation science. Our foundations are based on Aboriginal governance, partnerships and relationships and we strive to conduct research based on principles informed by expectations of the Aboriginal community in South Australia. Our research findings are informing how research and health services can contribute to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples experiencing equity in healthcare and how we all have a role in empowering lives and shaping healthcare.