You are here

Indigenous Affairs

Indigenous Affairs remains a national priority for the Australian Government. The Indigenous Affairs Group within PM&C is committed to improving the lives of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

We recognise that each community is unique. Our team includes people around Australia who are working closely with communities to make sure policies, programmes and services address these unique needs.

We support the Prime Minister and the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Senator Nigel Scullion. The Prime Minister is also supported by the Prime Minister’s Indigenous Advisory Council.

We work to influence policy across the entire Australian Government. We also liaise closely with State and Territory governments to ensure that Indigenous programmes and services are aiming for united objectives.

Current Initiatives

Closing the Gap

Closing the Gap

12th February 2016

Closing the Gap aims to reduce Indigenous disadvantage. All Australian governments have committed to achieve Indigenous health equality within a generation.

Community Safety

Community Safety

11th February 2016

Ensuring that Indigenous Australians grow up and live their lives in a safe home and community.

Constitutional Recognition

Constitutional Recognition

12th February 2016

Recognition means acknowledging our shared history and the value we place on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage.

Culture and Capability

Culture and Capability

15th February 2016

Culture is vitally important to Australia’s Indigenous peoples. Pride in culture shapes the hopes and choices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Economic Development

Economic Development

12th February 2016

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should have the same opportunities for economic participation as other Australians. Economic Development policies and programs are about creating the right enabling environment.

Education

15th February 2016

We work to improve educational outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from early childhood and schooling, to higher education.

Employment

12th February 2016

Being employed improves the health, living standards and the social and emotional well-being of individuals, families and communities.

Empowered Communities

Empowered Communities

17th November 2016

The Empowered Communities initiative is a new way for Indigenous communities and governments to work together to set priorities and deliver services at a regional level.

Environment

12th February 2016

Over 170 Indigenous land and sea management projects are supported across Australia to provide employment and environmental outcomes.

Evidence

18th March 2016

Providing information and advice to ministers, government departments, organisations and communities to inform policy development and monitoring in Indigenous Affairs.

Grants and Funding

Grants and Funding

12th February 2016

Grants and funding in the Indigenous Affairs area.

Health and Wellbeing

Health and Wellbeing

12th February 2016

Improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is one of our most important priorities.

Housing

12th February 2016

Housing plays an important role in the health and wellbeing of Australians.

Indigenous Advancement Strategy

Indigenous Advancement Strategy

23rd March 2016

A new Indigenous Advancement Strategy began on 1 July 2014 and replaced more than 150 individual programmes and activities with five flexible, broad-based programmes.

Land

12th February 2016

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights and interests in land are formally recognised for around 40 per cent of Australia’s land mass.

Prime Minister's Indigenous Advisory Council

Indigenous Advisory Council

Prime Minister the Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP and the Minister for Indigenous Affairs Senator the Hon Nigel Scullion announced on 8 February 2017 the first six members to be appointed for the second term of the Prime Minister’s Indigenous Advisory Council.

Remote Australia Strategies Programme

Remote Australia Strategies Programme

12th February 2016

We are working to fix the disproportionate disadvantage in remote Australia.

Latest News

Closing the Gap Prime Ministers Report 2017 released

Closing the Gap Closing the Gap 2017

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

The Prime Minister has delivered the ninth annual report to Parliament on progress in Closing the Gap.

A whole town benefitting from Ryan’s CDP handiwork

Employment Community Development Programme (CDP)

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Ryan entered the Australian Government's Community Development Programme (CDP) and his resulting handiwork has helped the whole town. In Karratha, Ryan Johnston has turned his CDP activities into helping the whole town, with even the local mayor admiring his handiwork.

Building a career in construction thanks to CDP

Employment Community Development Programme (CDP)

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Community Development Programme (CDP) construction graduates are in demand with construction companies.

Resources

PBC Support Strategy Submissions

Indigenous Affairs

9th February 2017

CONSULTATIONS Departmental representatives met with a number of key stakeholders including PBCs around Australia in November 2016.

ANAO audit report on the Indigenous Advancement Strategy - PM&C response

Indigenous Affairs

3rd February 2017

The department welcomes the audit of the processes involved in the establishment of the Indigenous Advancement Strategy, as a major reform in the administration and delivery of services and programs to Indigenous Australians in response to widespread criticism over many years.

KPI Reporting Handbook: Guidance to complete your IAS Performance Report

Indigenous Affairs

23rd December 2016

This Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS) Key Performance Indicators (KPI) Handbook has been developed to help you complete your IAS Performance Report. The Handbook contains detailed information and should be regarded as the primary source of advice on how to complete your IAS Performance Repor

Information about the ABA Beneficial Grant Funding Round February 2017

Indigenous Affairs

22nd December 2016

The ABA beneficial grant funding is broad in scope and flexible enough to fund a wide range of activities, with a focus on action to achieve clear and measurable benefits for Aboriginal people living in the Northern Territory.

Reporting Back 14-15

Indigenous Affairs

12th December 2016

Indigenous rangers play a vital role in managing Australia’s land and sea country. Since the ranger programme commenced under the Howard Government in 2007, rangers have been instrumental in protecting and conserving Australia’s natural and cultural assets.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website may contain images and voices of deceased people.