Pillars of the National Strategy for Food Security in Remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities
Remote retail
Goal
- 5. Remote stores and other food outlets are responsive to, and meet the needs of, community.
Intended outcomes
- 5.1 The needs of remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are met through the reliable provision of quality, affordable, nutritious food and other essentials.
- 5.2 Remote store and other food outlet environments encourage healthy purchases and discourage unhealthy purchases.
- 5.3 Remote communities have genuine decision‑making authority to determine ownership, governance and management practices of their remote food outlets.
- 5.4 Remote food providers have strong local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment across the remote store environment.
- 5.5 Remote residents in locations without a permanent store have access to alternative food retail services.
- 5.6 Remote stores and other food outlets are supported to achieve high quality, best practice operations and governance through continuous improvement.
Supply chains
Goal
- 6. Remote supply chains are efficient and resilient, and minimise the impact of remoteness on the availability, cost and quality of products in remote stores.
Intended outcomes
- 6.1 The food security needs of remote community residents are not disadvantaged by long, complex transport routes and higher freight costs.
- 6.2 Remote supply chains are effective, efficient, flexible and provide communities with year-round, uninterrupted access to food and essentials.
- 6.3 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are actively involved in decisions related to the supply of food and essentials in their community.
Over 200 stores service remote communities across Australia. The Australian Government does not own any remote stores. Like commercial businesses nationwide, remote stores operate under a variety of ownership and management arrangements.
In addition to the National Code and Subsidy Scheme, there are the following supports available for stores.
Store Efficiency and Resilience Package
The Government has committed $32.7 million over 3 years from 2026-27 to expand the successful Store Efficiency and Resilience Package.
This Government is building on the success of the original Store Efficiency and Resilience Package delivered from 2024-25, to support up to an additional 75 stores to upgrade dry and cold storage, back‑up power and other infrastructure.
Remote stores provide an essential service to communities. Uplifting store infrastructure enables lower prices through bulk purchasing and resilience in the face of natural disasters.
Food Security Working Group
The Remote Food Security Working Group (RFSWG) is an independent forum that brings together government, industry, and community representatives to improve remote food security by strengthening supply chain resilience and emergency resilience in remote First Nations communities.
Through the RFSWG, the Australian Government works with remote supply chain participants to monitor, maintain and improve food security in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, so residents have access to the essentials they need.
Store governance
The 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.
Outback Stores
Outback Stores Pty Ltd is a Commonwealth‑owned company that provides retail management and support services to First Nations‑owned stores in remote communities across Australia.
Established in 2006, Outback Stores works in partnership with communities to improve access to affordable, nutritious food and essential services. Outback Stores supports store viability, food security and local outcomes, and does not retain store profits, which remain with the community store owners.
For further information, including locations, please visit Outback Stores.