Remote community stores now selling lower-cost essentials

Photo: CEQ staff at their ABIS Palm Island store with some essential items.

Remote Stores who have signed up to participate in the National Code of Practice for Remote Store Operations and the Low Cost Essentials Subsidy Scheme (the Scheme) are now enabling residents of 100 remote communities to purchase lower cost essential items in their local stores. 100 stores can now offer the low cost essentials across the Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia, with more stores to join soon.

The Scheme reduces the costs of 30 essential items in remote stores so they are comparable to supermarket prices in urban areas.  The expected savings for remote consumers is up to 50%.

Lowering the cost of these everyday essentials in remote communities is helping to improve access to healthy food and provide cost of living relief for First Nations people.

The NIAA has been working closely with Outback Stores (OBS), the Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation (ALPA) and Community Enterprise Queensland (CEQ) to get this first tranche of stores ready to sell subsidised goods.

The Australian Government is investing $50 million over four years to improve remote food security, including reducing the cost of essential items in up to 152 remote stores.  

Find out more Food security in remote First Nations communities | NIAA