Our Performance
The purpose of NIAA is to assist the Australian Government achieve its objectives in improving the lives of Indigenous Australians by leading the development of the Commonwealth’s approach, focusing on place, working in partnership, and effectively delivering programs through the Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS).
We achieve our purpose through the following priority activities
Activity 1 – Designing, implementing and delivering policies, strategies and programs designed to enhance Indigenous economic outcomes.
Activity 2 – Designing, implementing and delivering policies, strategies and programs designed to support early childhood development and wellbeing; school attendance, engagement and attainment; and further education.
Activity 3 – Designing, implementing and delivering policies, strategies and programs designed to improve the mental health, social and emotional wellbeing of Indigenous Australians.
Activity 4 – Designing, implementing and delivering policies, strategies and programs designed to ensure the maintenance of Indigenous cultural expression and conservation, and support the participation in policy development and decision-making in partnership with governments.
Activity 5 – Designing, implementing and delivering policies, strategies and programs designed to enhance regional governance, and improve partnerships with communities through place based practice.
Activity 6 – Undertaking evaluations of National Indigenous Australian Agency programs in line with the IAS Evaluation Framework and incorporating evaluations into policies and programs delivered by the NIAA.
Activity 7 – Departmental support for NIAA activities.
Activity 8 – Leading the Commonwealth Government implementation of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap through partnership and engagement with other Commonwealth Government portfolios, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives, and state and territory governments.
Activity 9 – Progressing constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians.
Performance Measures
The NIAA is committed to developing our performance framework so that it provides useful information to the Australian Parliament and the public. This year we have included a number of outcome and qualitative measures to demonstrate that our work is both effective and high quality. We have also made updates to better align our performance measures with our purpose and the objectives outlined in our Portfolio Budget Statements. NIAA will further mature its performance reporting framework and performance measures for the 2022–23 financial year. This will include the development of new outcome, efficiency and effectiveness measures for the 2022–23 Portfolio Budget Statements and Corporate Plan.
Designing, implementing and delivering policies, strategies and programs designed to enhance Indigenous economic outcomes.
Intended result
Improved economic opportunities and access for Indigenous Australians in the areas of employment, pathways to jobs, businesses and the generation of economic and social benefits from effective use of their land, resulting in positive progress on relevant Closing the Gap targets.
Proportion of IAS Program activities that are assessed by NIAA Agreement Managers as having core service delivery elements which meet or exceed requirements.
| Methodology | Quantitative assessment of IAS provider data.¹ |
|---|---|
| 2021–22 Target | 90% |
| 2022–23 Target | 90% |
| 2023–24 Target | 90% |
| 2024–25 Target | 90% |
| PBS Program | 1.1 |
1. Data reported is drawn from IAS performance report assessments completed by NIAA Agreement Managers, for the relevant reporting periods. A number of Program 1.1 Jobs Land and Economy IAS activities are managed in the Employment Services System. These are employment-focused activities, generally paid per employment outcome. As such, different performance management arrangements apply to this cohort of IAS activities than those applied to most IAS activities, and therefore, they are not included in the data used to calculate the achievement of this measure.
Percentage of job seekers engaged in IAS activities remain in employment for 26 weeks.
| Methodology | Quantitative assessment of IAS provider data. |
|---|---|
| 2021–22 Target | 65% |
| 2022–23 Target | 65% |
| 2023–24 Target | 65% |
| 2024–25 Target | 65% |
| PBS Program | 1.1 |
Proportion of activities that directly contribute to Closing the Gap targets and indicators.
| Methodology | Quantitative and qualitative assessment of how activities impact indicators and targets. |
|---|---|
| 2021–22 Target | 80% |
| 2022–23 Target | 90% |
| 2023–24 Target | 90% |
| 2024–25 Target | 90% |
| PBS Program | 1.1 |
Designing, implementing and delivering policies, strategies and programs designed to support early childhood development and wellbeing; school attendance, engagement and attainment; and further education.
Intended result
Improved wellbeing, development, access and attainment of education for Indigenous children and students, resulting in positive progress on relevant Closing the Gap targets.
Proportion of IAS Program activities that are assessed by NIAA Agreement Managers as having core service delivery elements which meet or exceed requirements.
| Methodology | Quantitative assessment of IAS provider data. |
|---|---|
| 2021–22 Target | 90% |
| 2022–23 Target | 90% |
| 2023–24 Target | 90% |
| 2024–25 Target | 90% |
| PBS Program | 1.2 |
Proportion of activities that directly contribute to Closing the Gap targets and indicators.
| Methodology | Quantitative and qualitative assessment of how activities impact indicators and targets. |
|---|---|
| 2021–22 Target | 80% |
| 2022–23 Target | 90% |
| 2023–24 Target | 90% |
| 2024–25 Target | 90% |
| PBS Program | 1.2 |
Designing, implementing and delivering policies, strategies and programs designed to improve the mental health, social and emotional wellbeing of Indigenous Australians.
Intended result
Improved mental health and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians, resulting in positive progress on relevant Closing the Gap targets.
Proportion of IAS Program activities that are assessed by NIAA Agreement Managers as having core service delivery elements which meet or exceed requirements.
| Methodology | Quantitative assessment of IAS provider data. |
|---|---|
| 2021–22 Target | 90% |
| 2022–23 Target | 90% |
| 2023–24 Target | 90% |
| 2024–25 Target | 90% |
| PBS Program | 1.3 |
Proportion of activities that directly contribute to Closing the Gap targets and indicators.
| Methodology | Quantitative and qualitative assessment of how activities impact indicators and targets. |
|---|---|
| 2021–22 Target | 80% |
| 2022–23 Target | 90% |
| 2023–24 Target | 90% |
| 2024–25 Target | 90% |
| PBS Program | 1.3 |
Designing, implementing and delivering policies, strategies and programs designed to ensure the maintenance of Indigenous cultural expression and conservation, and support the participation in policy development and decision-making in partnership with governments.
Intended result
The maintenance of Indigenous cultural expression and conservation, equal participation in the economic and social life of the nation and the improved capabilities of Indigenous organisations.
Proportion of IAS Program activities that are assessed by NIAA Agreement Managers as having core service delivery elements which meet or exceed requirements.
| Methodology | Quantitative assessment of IAS provider data. |
|---|---|
| 2021–22 Target | 90% |
| 2022–23 Target | 90% |
| 2023–24 Target | 90% |
| 2024–25 Target | 90% |
| PBS Program | 1.4 |
Delivery of the final The Voice report to government on national, local and regional options and models for an Indigenous voice within the required timeframes.
| Methodology | Quantitative assessment against timeframes. |
|---|---|
| 2021–22 Target | Final report completed in quarter 1 2021–22. |
| 2022–23 Target | – |
| 2023–24 Target | – |
| 2024–25 Target | – |
| PBS Program | 1.4 |
Designing, implementing and delivering policies, strategies and programs designed to enhance regional governance, and improved partnerships with communities through place based practice.
Intended result
Enhanced regional governance and local decision-making.
Proportion of IAS Program activities that are assessed by NIAA Agreement Managers as having core service delivery elements which meet or exceed requirements.
| Methodology | Quantitative assessment of IAS provider data. |
|---|---|
| 2021–22 Target | 90% |
| 2022–23 Target | 90% |
| 2023–24 Target | 90% |
| 2024–25 Target | 90% |
| PBS Program | 1.5 |
Formal participation in active local decision making (LDM) processes and Empowered Communities (EC) regions.
| Methodology | Quantitative assessment of participation data and qualitative assessment based on case studies from selected sites.¹ |
|---|---|
| 2021–22 Target | NIAA to formally participate in 90 per cent of LDM sites, where NIAA has been invited to contribute; and 100 per cent of EC sites. |
| 2022–23 Target | NIAA to formally participate in 100 per cent of LDM and EC sites, where NIAA has been invited to contribute to LDM, and partners in the EC sites. |
| 2023–24 Target | NIAA to formally participate in 100 per cent of LDM and EC sites, where NIAA has been invited to contribute to LDM, and partners in the EC sites.² |
| 2024–25 Target | NIAA to formally participate in 100 per cent of LDM and EC sites, where NIAA has been invited to contribute to LDM, and partners in the EC sites. |
| PBS Program | 1.5 |
1. This would encompass one case study on LDM site and one case study on EC site (nominated by relevant GM).
2. Measure/target for out years will need to change if the Local and Regional Voice is supported by government
Development of Place Based Practice Implementation Plans for identified sites in partnership with communities, and establishment of local governance arrangements to implement the Plan in each site.
| Methodology | Quantitative assessment of plans implemented and governance arrangements established.³ Qualitative assessment based on case studies from selected sites. |
|---|---|
| 2021–22 Target | 100 per cent of plans developed and governance arrangements established for identified Place Based Practice sites. |
| 2022–23 Target | 50 per cent of plans developed and governance arrangements established for identified Place Based Practice sites (phase two). |
| 2023–24 Target | 100 per cent of plans developed and governance arrangements established for identified Place Based Practice sites (phase two). |
| 2024–25 Target | – |
| PBS Program | 1.5 |
3. Governance arrangements would involve NIAA, community representatives and other local partners working together to implement the agreed plan. Could be interim arrangements until formal arrangements are finalised.
Undertaking evaluations of National Indigenous Australian Agency programs in line with the IAS Evaluation Framework and incorporating evaluations into policies and programs delivered by the NIAA.
Intended result
Evaluation efforts were prioritised based on significance, contribution and policy risk as per the IAS Evaluation Framework.
Publish an annual evaluation work plan taking into account the prioritisation criteria outlined in the NIAA Evaluation Framework.
| Methodology | Quantitative assessment against timeline. |
|---|---|
| 2021–22 Target | Sep-2021 |
| 2022–23 Target | Sep-2022 |
| 2023–24 Target | Sep-2023 |
| 2024–25 Target | Sep-2024 |
| PBS Program | 1.6 |
Intended result
Improved outcomes for Indigenous Australians as a result of enhanced design, implementation and delivery of agency policies and programs.
Proportion of evaluations that contribute to improved policy/program, design and delivery.
| Methodology | Qualitative assessment using case studies. |
|---|---|
| 2021–22 Target | 100 per cent of evaluations contribute to improved policy/program, design and delivery. |
| 2022–23 Target | 100 per cent of evaluations contribute to improved policy/program, design and delivery. |
| 2023–24 Target | 100 per cent of evaluations contribute to improved policy/program, design and delivery. |
| 2024–25 Target | 100 per cent of evaluations contribute to improved policy/program, design and delivery. |
| PBS Program | 1.6 |
Departmental support for NIAA activities
Intended result
Efficient department support to NIAA activities. Number of NIAA activities that achieve expected FY targets as articulated in internal planning documents.
All funding expended is assessed as value for money.
| Methodology | Quantitative assessment. |
|---|---|
| 2021–22 Target | 100 per cent of funding assessed as being value for money. |
| 2022–23 Target | 100 per cent of funding assessed as being value for money. |
| 2023–24 Target | 100 per cent of funding assessed as being value for money. |
| 2024–25 Target | 100 per cent of funding assessed as being value for money. |
| PBS Program | 1.7 |
All NIAA activities contribute to the achievement of the NIAA outcome.
| Methodology | Quantitative assessment. |
|---|---|
| 2021–22 Target | 100 per cent of activities assessed as contributing to the NIAA outcome. |
| 2022–23 Target | 100 per cent of activities assessed as contributing to the NIAA outcome. |
| 2023–24 Target | 100 per cent of activities assessed as contributing to the NIAA outcome. |
| 2024–25 Target | 100 per cent of activities assessed as contributing to the NIAA outcome. |
| PBS Program | 1.7 |
Leading the Commonwealth Government implementation of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap through partnership and engagement with other Commonwealth Government portfolios, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives, and state and territory governments.
Intended result
Enable Indigenous Australians and governments to work together to overcome the inequality experienced by Indigenous Australians, and achieve life outcomes equal to all Australians.
NIAA demonstrates leadership in delivering a whole of Commonwealth implementation plan, setting out how the Commonwealth will contribute to achieving the targets and Priority Reforms in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
| Methodology | Quantitative assessment against timeframe supported by qualitative analysis of actions taken. |
|---|---|
| 2021–22 Target | July 2021 — Deliver the Commonwealth. Implementation Plan to Joint Council. |
| 2022–23 Target | August 2022 — deliver a Commonwealth annual report and updates to the Commonwealth Implementation Plan. |
| 2023–24 Target | August 2023 — deliver a Commonwealth annual report and updates to the Commonwealth Implementation Plan. |
| 2024–25 Target | August 2024 — deliver a Commonwealth annual report and updates to the Commonwealth Implementation Plan. |
| PBS Program | 1.7 |
NIAA coordinates the implementation of priority reforms across the Commonwealth.
| Methodology | Quantitative assessment against timeframe supported by qualitative analysis of actions taken. |
|---|---|
| 2021–22 Target | Progress has been made in implementing the priority reform actions. November 2021 — Identified locations for six place based partnerships. |
| 2022–23 Target | Progress has been made in implementing the priority reform actions. July 2022 — Deliver the Closing the Gap Data Development Plan. July 2022 — Establish a joinedup approach on the five policy priority areas under the National Agreement. July 2022 — Deliver a review of expenditure to identify opportunities to increase proportion of services delivered through Indigenous organisations. November 2022 — Deliver review of partnerships across Commonwealth. |
| 2023–24 Target | Progress has been made in implementing the priority reform actions. July 2023 — Establish data projects in six locations across Australia. June 2024 — Establish six place based partnerships. November 2024 — Deliver report on efforts to strengthen partnerships across Commonwealth. |
| 2024–25 Target | – |
| PBS Program | 1.7 |
Progressing constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians.
Intended result
Supported the process for constitutional recognition and a referendum.
The extent to which NIAA contributes to progressing constitutional recognition and a referendum.
| Methodology | Qualitative assessment of approach. |
|---|---|
| 2021–22 Target | NIAA has effectively supported building consensus on constitutional recognition. |
| 2022–23 Target | NIAA has effectively supported building consensus on constitutional recognition. |
| 2023–24 Target | – |
| 2024–25 Target | – |
| PBS Program | 1.7 |