Good nutrition is essential to good health and a strong future
Food Security means having continuous access to a range of food, drinks and other essential groceries that are reasonably priced, safe and meet the dietary and cultural needs of the household.
The National Agreement on Closing the Gap commits all Australian governments to change the way we work to share decision-making and partner with Indigenous Australians to improve outcomes. The 2024 Commonwealth Closing the Gap Implementation Plan recognises remote food security as a national priority.
Higher costs in remote communities are broadly caused by two key factors: lower commercial purchasing power of remote suppliers; and higher operational costs, including freight and repair costs (HORSCIA Inquiry).
Price and availability of food in remote communities has been further stretched in line with national market trends impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain interruptions, severe weather and rising fuel costs.
Through the Indigenous Advancement Strategy, the National Indigenous Australians Agency provides funding to First Nations communities and businesses for place-based projects to improve community nutrition outcomes.
2025 Closing the Gap Implementation Plan Food Security Initiatives
The 2025 Closing the Gap Implementation Plan details the Government’s $71.4 million commitment to improving remote food security through a low-cost essentials subsidy scheme, dedicated remote store governance training and support package and an in-store Nutrition Workforce.
Access to low-cost essentials for remote stores subsidy scheme
The Australian Government has committed to reduce the costs of around 30 essential items in more than 76 stores in remote First Nations communities. The reduced prices will be the result of a product ‘subsidy’ scheme that will grow to cover up to 152 remote stores.
The aim is to reduce the cost of items in remote stores to be comparable to supermarkets in urban areas, to help address cost-of-living pressures and high rates of food insecurity experienced in remote First Nations communities.
The subsidy scheme will be administered by Commonwealth company Outback Stores Pty Ltd to facilitate remote stores’ ability to purchase a range of essential products at a lower wholesale price, with freight costs also subsidised.
Sign up to the subsidy scheme here
The 30 low-cost essential items
The Australian Government is helping lower prices at local stores.
See the 30 essential items that are now cheaper.
These may be subject to change from time to time and will be updated on the NIAA website.
Dedicated governance training and support package
A dedicated governance training and support package for remote stores will be developed to build the governance and operational capability of remote stores. This will be developed with the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations.
Nutrition workforce
An in-store nutrition workforce will be established in over 100 remote stores. This will upskill a local First Nations workforce to support consumers to make healthier choices. This will expand on a successful model, where local First Nations nutrition workers use language and local knowledge to make positive behavioural change.
School Nutrition Program
The School Nutrition Projects (SNP) provides meal services to students in 73 schools across the Northern Territory. A key objective of the SNP is to improve school attendance and learning outcomes. Through the SNP, NIAA grant recipients provide a combination of breakfast, morning tea, lunch or afternoon tea to students attending school. Meals are prepared in accordance with the Northern Territory Department of Education’s School Nutrition and Healthy Eating Policy and National nutrition standards.
Remote Food Security Working Group
The Remote Food Security Working Group coordinates government and industry actions to identify and address issues with the remote supply chain. Through this Group, the Australian Government is working with state and territory governments, retailers, major wholesalers and distributors to ensure residents of remote First Nations communities have access to the essentials they need.
Outback Stores
The Commonwealth owned company, Outback Stores Pty Ltd (OBS), provides high quality retail management and support services to 56 First Nations owned stores across Australia (numbers can change slightly as management arrangements change). This includes providing financial support to a number of essential stores that may otherwise not be able to operate.
OBS was established in November 2006 and emerged from a need to improve the health of Indigenous people in remote Australia by addressing nutrition-related health problems, unreliable food supplies and store closures. Its purpose is to be a sustainable business that makes a positive difference in the health, employment and economy of remote First Nations communities by improving food affordability and availability, nutrition and community services.
OBS strives to enable and empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to live healthy and prosperous lives and work towards Closing the Gap. OBS does not receive any of the profits from the stores it manages on behalf of the community. Any store profits belong to the storeowner.
For further information, including locations, please visit Outback Stores.
Remote Community Stores
Over 200 stores service remote communities across Australia. The HORSCIA Inquiry found higher on average prices in remote stores are a genuine and direct result of the significantly higher costs involved with operating in remote contexts. If your community store needs support, you can contact:
- Outback Stores – provides retail store management and support services to Aboriginal owned community stores. Outback Stores does not receive any store profits; however does charge a fee for services.
- Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC) – provides training in corporate governance for directors, members and key staff; advice on how to incorporate; and legal compliance oversight and advice.
The Australian Government does not own any remote stores. Like commercial businesses nationwide, remote stores operate under a variety of ownership and management arrangements.
Remote Stores that are enrolled to the National Code of Practice for Remote Store Operations and the Low-Cost Essentials Subsidy Scheme
The stores listed below are enrolled to the National Code of Practice for Remote Store Operations and the Low Cost Essentials Subsidy Scheme. The stores have committed to meeting the rules of the Code and to offer essential items at the reduced price. Stores choose which essential items to stock in their store and availability may vary depending on local circumstances and store capacity.
Northern Territory
| Store Name | Community | Managed By |
|---|---|---|
| MPA General Store | Maningrida | Independent |
| Dungalan Store | Jilkminggan | Outback Stores |
| Beswick Community Store | Beswick | Outback Stores |
| Urapunga Store | Urapunga | Outback Stores |
| Milingimbi Store | Milingimbi | The Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation |
| ALPA Galiwin'ku Store | Galiwin'ku | The Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation |
| Buthan Supermarket | Galiwin'ku | The Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation |
| Gapuwiyak Store | Gapuwiyak | The Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation |
| Ramingining Store | Ramingining | The Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation |
| ALPA Majila Store | Minjilang | The Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation |
| Atitjere Store | Atitjere | Independent |
| Ajurumu Self Service Store | Warruwi | The Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation |
| Ngukurr General Store | Ngukurr | Outback Stores |
| Janyima Store | Bulla | Outback Stores |
| Kanparrka Store | Haasts Bluff | Outback Stores |
| Aputula Store | Aputula | Outback Stores |
| Laramba Community Store | Laramba | Outback Stores |
| Lagulalya Store | Milyakburra | Outback Stores |
| Imanpa General Store | Imanpa | Outback Stores |
| Alpirakina Community Store | Yuelamu | Outback Stores |
| Kintore Store | Kintore | Outback Stores |
| Nguru-Walalja Community Store | Yuendumu | Outback Stores |
| Yarralin Store | Yarralin | Outback Stores |
| Titjikala Community Store | Titjikala | Outback Stores |
| Bonya Store | Bonya | Outback Stores |
| Nyirripi Community Store | Nyirripi | Outback Stores |
| Barlmarrk Supermarket | Maningrida | Outback Stores |
| Gulin Gulin Community Store | Bulman | Outback Stores |
| Nauiyu Community Store | Nauiyu | Outback Stores |
| Nitjpurru Community Store | Nitjpurru | Outback Stores |
| Engawala Store | Engawala | Outback Stores |
| Canteen Creek Community Store | Canteen Creek | Outback Stores |
| Mt Liebig Community Store | Mt Liebig | Outback Stores |
| Mirnirri Store | Mirnirri | Outback Stores |
| Papunya Community Store | Papunya | Outback Stores |
| Wirliyajarrayi Store | Willowra | Outback Stores |
| Peppimenarti Store | Peppimenarti | Outback Stores |
| Wetenngerr Store | Epenarra | Outback Stores |
| Numburindi Store | Numbulwar | The Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation |
| Malandari Store | Borroloola | The Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation |
| Pirlangimpi Community Store | Pirlangimpi | The Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation |
| Ntaria Supermarket | Hermannsburg | Outback Stores |
| Nganmarriyanga Store | Nganmarriyanga | The Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation |
| Wild Foods Cafe | Maningrida | Outback Stores |
| Minyerri Store | Minyerri | The Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation |
| Lajamanu Store | Lajamanu | The Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation |
| Aherrenge Store | Ampilatwatja | Independent |
| Mikamurra Store | Umbakumba | The Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation |
| Amanbidji Store | Amanbidji | Outback Stores |
| Santa Teresa Community Store | Santa Teresa | Outback Stores |
| Kalkarindji Service Station and Store | Kalkarindji | The Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation |
| Adjumarllarl Store | Gunbalanya | The Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation |
Queensland
| Store Name | Community | Managed By |
|---|---|---|
| The Little Bush Pantry | Coen | Independent |
| Aurukun General Store | Aurukun | The Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation |
| Badu Island Supermarket | Badu Island | The Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation |
| Horn Island Supermarket | Horn Island | The Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation |
| Hope Vale | Hope Vale | The Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation |
| Bwgcolman Supermarket | Palm Island | Community Enterprise Queensland |
| Doomadgee Supermarket | Doomadgee | Community Enterprise Queensland |
| Kowanyama Supermarket | Kowanyama | Community Enterprise Queensland |
| Lockhart River Supermarket | Lockhart River | Community Enterprise Queensland |
| Pormpuraaw Supermarket | Pormpuraaw | Community Enterprise Queensland |
| Wujal Wujal Local | Wujal Wujal | Community Enterprise Queensland |
| Arkai (Kubin) Store | Moa Island | Community Enterprise Queensland |
| Bamaga IBIS Supermarket | Bamaga | Community Enterprise Queensland |
| Boigu Local | Boigu Island | Community Enterprise Queensland |
| Dauan Local | Dauan | Community Enterprise Queensland |
| Erub Local | Darnley Island | Community Enterprise Queensland |
| Iama Local | Yam Island | Community Enterprise Queensland |
| Kirriri Express | Hammond Island | Community Enterprise Queensland |
| Mabuiag Local | Mabuiag Island | Community Enterprise Queensland |
| Mapoon Local | Mapoon | Community Enterprise Queensland |
| Masig Local | Yorke Island | Community Enterprise Queensland |
| Mer Local | Murray Island | Community Enterprise Queensland |
| Napranum Local | Napranum | Community Enterprise Queensland |
| Nurupai Local | Horn Island | Community Enterprise Queensland |
| Poruma Local | Coconut Island | Community Enterprise Queensland |
| Rosehill Express | Thursday Island | Community Enterprise Queensland |
| Saibai Local | Saibai | Community Enterprise Queensland |
| Warraber Local | Warraber Island | Community Enterprise Queensland |
| Tamwoy Express | Thursday Island | Community Enterprise Queensland |
| Ugar Local | Stephen Island | Community Enterprise Queensland |
| Waibene Supermarket | Thursday Island | Community Enterprise Queensland |
| Wug (St Pauls) Store | Moa Island | Community Enterprise Queensland |
| Gununamanda Store | Mornington Island | Outback Stores |
Western Australia
| Store Name | Community | Managed By |
|---|---|---|
| Wirrimanu Community Store | Wirrimanu | Outback Stores |
| Yiyili Community Store | Yiyili | Outback Stores |
| Mulan Community Store | Mulan | Outback Stores |
| Wungkul Store | Warmun | Outback Stores |
| Kundat Djaru Community Store | Kundat Djaru | Outback Stores |
| Illawarra Store | Jigalong | Outback Stores |
| Bardi Ardyaloon Community Store | Bardi Ardyaloon | Outback Stores |
| Beagle Bay Community Store | Beagle Bay | Outback Stores |
| Warum Roadhouse | Warmun | Outback Stores |
| Uraro Community Store | Kalumburu | Outback Stores |
| Kiwirrkurra Roadhouse and Community Store | Kiwirrkurra | Outback Stores |
| Yungngora Store | Mt Hardman / Yungngora | Outback Stores |
| Tjuntjuntjara Community Store | Tjuntjuntjara | Outback Stores |
South Australia
| Store Name | Community | Managed By |
|---|---|---|
| Indulkana Community Store | Indulkana | Outback Stores |
| Mimili Maku Store | Mimili | Outback Stores |
National Strategy for Food Security in Remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
Consultations on the National Strategy have closed. For more information, view the National Strategy for Food Security in Remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities page.
View the National Strategy for Food Security in Remote First Nations Communities page
In partnership with state and territory governments and First Nations peoples, the Australian Government is developing a national strategy for food security in remote First Nations communities.
The Strategy responds directly to Recommendation 10 of the 2020 House of Representatives Standing Committee on Indigenous Affairs Inquiry into food pricing and food security in remote Indigenous communities (HORSCIA Inquiry). It will shape actions in response to the HORSCIA Inquiry and seeks to provide a coordinated national approach to improving the price, availability and quality of food and essential groceries in remote First Nations communities.
The Commonwealth is investing up to $11.8 million over two years (2023-24 to 2024-25) for Strategy development and early implementation of priority projects.
- $10.4 million for priority actions identified through Strategy development.
- $1.4 million for remote consultations and project management activities.
Government response to HORSCIA food security inquiry
The Australian Government tabled its response to the HORSCIA Inquiry on 2 December 2021.
The report makes 16 recommendations, including a live price monitoring tool, national stores licensing, a focus on local distribution and food production, grants to support community stores, and other measures to address store governance and management.
Many of the recommendations cut across Commonwealth and state and territory responsibilities. The Government has supported or provided in-principle support for 10 of the 16 recommendations.
The NIAA is leading the Government response including engagement across governments.
Community Stores Licensing – Northern Territory
The Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory Act 2012 (SFNT Act) Commonwealth legislation sunset on 16 July 2022. Stores licensing has transitioned to the Northern Territory Government.