2018-19 Budget: Remote Indigenous housing in the Northern Territory

What was announced in the 2018 Budget?

The Australian Government announced $550 million over five years ($110 per annum) to support remote housing in Indigenous Communities across the Northern Territory.

This funding will be matched by the Northern Territory Government.

This funding will commence in 2018-19 and be provided through a five year bilateral agreement with the Northern Territory Government. 

The Northern Territory Government will retain responsibility for housing sub-lease arrangements for the five-year period.

The Australian Government will focus on ensuring Aboriginal people and key stakeholders such as Land Councils are at the heart of investment including through governance arrangements and that local people receive significant employment and business opportunities.

The Northern Territory is significantly over-represented in homelessness statistics, representing 12 per cent of the national homeless population, despite being less than one per cent of Australia’s total population.

Key facts

• Twenty-one per cent of the Indigenous population in the Northern Territory are considered homeless, with the majority living in remote Indigenous communities in such severely overcrowded houses they are considered homeless.
• This long-term investment will ensure overcrowding continues to be addressed and existing houses are maintained. It will provide significant local jobs and apprenticeships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and opportunities for Indigenous businesses.
• As part of the agreement, the Australian and Northern Territory Governments will work with Indigenous stakeholders including Northern Territory Land Councils to increase the role of Aboriginal people in decision making, employment, business procurement and property and tenancy management.
• The Australian Government remains in negotiations with the governments of South Australia, West Australia and Queensland about future Commonwealth investment in remote Indigenous housing.

For more information about the 2018-19 Budget, visit the Australian Government Budget website.