Outcome 17: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have access to information and services enabling participation in informed decision-making regarding their own lives

Target 17: By 2026, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have equal levels of digital inclusion.

Minister responsible

Minister for Communications

Productivity Commission national progress against the target

The most recent data for this target is from 2014–15. This target remains a focus for data development under the Data Development Plan.

The path forward

Closing the Gap on digital inclusion is critical to First Nations peoples enjoying the economic and social opportunities of being online and using digital technologies. Target 17 will enable a range of benefits for First Nations peoples and communities, including access to services such as telehealth and online learning.

The work under Target 17 recognises that improving digital inclusion for First Nations people is an important enabler for broader social and economic benefits, including access to services and transforming the delivery of Government services consistent with Priority Reform Three in the National Agreement.

Priority actions

Digital inclusion

The Commonwealth is developing the First Nations Digital Inclusion Plan (FNDIP) to support improved digital inclusion for First Nations peoples. The FNDIP is based on three policy pillars: improving access, affordability and digital ability. The Commonwealth is working with First Nations communities and stakeholders, including the Coalition of Peaks and First Nations Media Australia, to develop the FNDIP which will be based on community priorities and needs.

The Commonwealth has established the First Nations Digital Inclusion Advisory Group (the Advisory Group). The Advisory Group, chaired by notable media industry representative, Ms Dorothy West OAM – joined by a number of eminent First Nations Australians, will work together with First Nations peoples and communities to provide advice to the Commonwealth on digital inclusion issues for First Nations peoples and how they can be addressed at the national and community level.

This will include options to improve access to content and information through online and broadcast platforms, as well as options to reduce the barriers to inclusion by focusing on access, affordability and digital skills in remote communities as an initial focus. Going forward, the Advisory Group will consider options to inform a longer-term roadmap to support First Nations digital inclusion.

Connectivity in regional and rural Australia

The Commonwealth is continuing to invest in improving connectivity and bridging the digital divide through its Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia, which will improve mobile coverage and provide targeted place-based connectivity solutions, including for remote communities.

Improving national data collection

Importantly, the Commonwealth is exploring options to improve the national collection of data on First Nations digital inclusion, aligning with Priority Reform Four in the National Agreement. The Commonwealth will work closely with First Nations peoples to consider how data collection on digital inclusion can best meet this aim.

Summary of new actions

*A full appendix of new and existing measures being undertaken by the Commonwealth to support Closing the Gap efforts is on the NIAA website, at Closing the Gap implementation measures.