Australian Government National Indigenous Australians Agency

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Indigenous Affairs

The National Indigenous Australians Agency is committed to implementing the Government’s policies and programs to improve the lives of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

We recognise that each community is unique. Our team includes people across Australia who closely with communities to make sure policies, programs and services address their unique needs.

We work directly to and support the Minister for Indigenous Australians.

We work to influence policy across the entire Australian Government. We also liaise closely with State and Territory governments to ensure that Indigenous programs and services are delivering for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as intended.

Current Initiatives

Closing the Gap

Closing the Gap

Closing the Gap aims to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

Community Safety

Community Safety

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

Consultations

Indigenous Affairs

Culture

Culture and Capability

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures are a critical part of our national identity.

Early Childhood Development

Early Childhood Development

The NIAA is working with communities, governments and service providers to ensure young children have access to good quality, culturally safe and accessible care and education services. This means that when children go to school they will have a better chance of success.

Economic Development

Economic Development

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples make invaluable contributions to Australia: our places, communities and economy.

Education

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

Employment

Employment is critical to the health and prosperity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Empowered Communities

Empowered Communities

The Australian Government has been moving to a new way of working with Indigenous leaders and communities – one that supports Indigenous ownership, enables true partnerships with Government, and recognises the diversity of cultures and circumstances of Indigenous Australians.

Environment

Indigenous land and sea management projects across Australia deliver jobs, while also preserving Australia’s unique natural and cultural resources and building economic capacity in communities.

Evaluations and Evidence

Evaluations and Evidence

This Evaluation Framework guides the conduct and development of a stronger approach to evaluation of programs and activities under the Indigenous Advancement Strategy.

Grants and Funding

Grants and Funding

The National Indigenous Australians Agency funds projects aimed at helping Indigenous Australians. Funding is allocated through: the Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS), National Partnership Agreements, Special Accounts and Special Appropriations.

Health and Wellbeing

Health and Wellbeing

The Australian Government is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. This is one of our most important priorities.

Indigenous Peoples Economic and Trade Cooperation Arrangement (IPETCA)

Economic Development

IPETCA is a non-binding cooperation-based arrangement initiated by New Zealand during its APEC host year in 2021.

Land and Housing

Land and Housing

Native Title Ministers' Meeting Communique - 15 October 2021 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights and interests in land are formally recognised for around 40 per cent of Australia’s land mass.

Referendum on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice

Referendum on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice

As part of the Australian Government’s commitment to implement the Uluru Statement from the Heart, a referendum will be held between October and December 2023 to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Constitution by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.

Uluru Statement from the Heart

Uluru Statement from the Heart

The Australian Government has committed to implement the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full.

Working with Vulnerable People, including children

Working with Vulnerable People, including children

The National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) welcomes the report of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (the Royal Commission) and acknowledges the significant amount of work undertaken by the Royal Commission over the five years of its inquiry.

Latest News

Get ready for a conversation about the Voice

Indigenous voice

Tuesday, 06 June 2023

An information program has been launched by the Australian Government to help inform Australians about the Voice referendum being held later this year.

An image of a road in Central Australia surrounded by country

A better, safer future for Central Australia

Community Safety

Thursday, 18 May 2023

A Better, Safer Future for Central Australia will see landmark investment by the Australian Government, delivered in partnership with the Northern Territory Government and Central Australia communities.

A graphic image that displays the Commonwealth Crest, followed by the title, Budget 2023-24. On the right hand side of the graphic it reads, 'To find out more visit budget.gov.au'.

2023-24 Budget: Investing in a better future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People

Tuesday, 09 May 2023

On Tuesday 9 May 2023, the Treasurer, the Hon Dr Jim Chalmers MP, handed down the 2023–24 Federal Budget.

Resources

Environment projects tools and resources

Indigenous Affairs

29th March 2016

This collection of management tools and resources is being developed. It includes resources for ranger training resources and managment tool kits.

Community Development Program (CDP): Trialling Pathways to Real Jobs

Indigenous Affairs

Tourism Grants for Indigenous Business – Grant Opportunity Guidelines

Indigenous Affairs

12th April 2023

These guidelines contain information for the Tourism Grants for Indigenous Business. The Tourism Grants for Indigenous Business is a targeted competitive grant opportunity under the Indigenous Advancement Strategy which closed on 12 July 2022.

Summary of Feedback from the Indigenous Ranger Sector Strategy 2023

Indigenous Affairs

On 6 April 2022, the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) released the Indigenous Ranger Sector Strategy – Consultation Draft. Consultation on the strategy was open from April to July 2022.

Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand Domestic Responses to COVID-19 from March 2020-July 2021

Indigenous Affairs

This case study details the response measures to the COVID-19 pandemic both the Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand governments implemented from early 2020 to July 2021 and the effect they had on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Māori peoples.