We are committed to improving access to timely, transparent, and locally relevant data for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. By supporting data sovereignty and regional decision-making, we aim to empower communities to drive their own priorities and measure progress effectively. The commitments below reflect the NIAA’s contribution to Priority Reform 4, aligned with the actions and change levers set out in the Priority Reforms Roadmap.
Deliverable
Provide practical guidance for APS agencies to implement CARE principles (collective benefit, authority to control, responsibility, and ethics) for governance of Indigenous data. The NIAA will champion the use of CARE principles when working with Indigenous data and support uptake through the APS GID Community of Practice.
Timeline in month/years
2026–2029 Guidance will be developed in 2026 with use and refinement continuing over the RAP period.
Responsibility - NIAA Group/Branch
Strategy Group.
RAP Pillar
Respect.
Measure of Success
Success will be demonstrated by APS agencies having access to clear, practical guidance to apply CARE principles (collective benefit, authority to control, responsibility and ethics) to Indigenous data governance, and by the guidance being actively used to strengthen Indigenous data governance arrangements across the APS.
This will be evidenced by endorsement and active utilisation of the CARE Principles guidance through APS governance forums, including the APS GID Community of Practice, the Data Profession Stream Senior Working Group, the Chief Data Officers Group and the Deputy Secretaries Data Group, and by examples of agencies applying the guidance in practice.
Deliverable
Develop internal protocols for handling community data requests.
Timeline in month/years
2026–2029 Guidance will be developed in 2026 with use and refinement continuing over the RAP period.
Responsibility - NIAA Group/Branch
Strategy Group
RAP Pillar
Respect
Measure of Success
Success will be demonstrated by APS agencies having access to clear, practical guidance to apply CARE principles (collective benefit, authority to control, responsibility and ethics) to Indigenous data governance, and by the guidance being actively used to strengthen Indigenous data governance arrangements across the APS.
This will be evidenced by endorsement and active utilisation of the CARE Principles guidance through APS governance forums, including the APS GID Community of Practice, the Data Profession Stream Senior Working Group, the Chief Data Officers Group and the Deputy Secretaries Data Group, and by examples of agencies applying the guidance in practice.
Deliverable
Strengthen understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities across the APS by sharing agreed intelligence, community/organisation profiles and investment data with other government and nongovernment agencies. This sharing includes transparency of funding.
Timeline in month/years
Commenced 4th Quarter 2025 - completion 4th quarter 2027
Responsibility - NIAA Group/Branch
Grants & Finance Group
RAP Pillar
Respect
Measure of Success
Success will be demonstrated by improved whole-of-government understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through responsible sharing of agreed intelligence, community and organisational profiles, and investment data.
This supports more coordinated planning, greater transparency of funding, and better-informed regional and community-level decision-making across government.
Case Study
Strengthening shared access to data
Respecting Indigenous data sovereignty to support regional decision-making under Priority Reform 4
The NIAA is strengthening shared decision making under Priority Reform 4 – Shared Access to Data and Information by embedding Indigenous data governance and respectful data-sharing practices into how government information is created, accessed and used.
Access to timely, transparent and locally relevant data is critical to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities exercising self-determination. The NIAA’s approach focuses on ensuring data is not only available but also governed and applied in ways that respect Indigenous rights, priorities and perspectives.
Through agency-wide systems and place based approaches, the NIAA is improving how data supports regional decision-making. By working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, communities and government stakeholders, the NIAA ensures data is curated, shared and interpreted in ways that reflect local context and community aspirations.
This work enables communities to be better informed, strengthens transparency of government investment, and supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to engage confidently in decisions that affect them. It also builds capability within the APS to use data ethically and responsibly, consistent with Indigenous Data Sovereignty principles.
By embedding shared access to data as business-as-usual, the NIAA is operationalising Priority Reform 4 across its systems and practices.
This approach demonstrates respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge and authority over data, strengthens trust in government processes, and supports sustainable, community-led outcomes under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
