Recommendation 107

Australian governments are working to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have access to services. Australian governments fund and deliver a range of programmes aimed at improving access to services and addressing the inequalities faced by Indigenous people, including through the Indigenous Advancement Strategy. Information on the strategy and current programmes can be found on the Indigenous Advancement Strategy page on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website.

In 2008, all Australian governments agreed to address the disadvantage faced by Indigenous Australians through the Closing the Gap framework. Work towards achieving the Closing the Gap targets, which include life expectancy, child mortality, early childhood education, literacy and numeracy, educational attainment and employment, continues. The Prime Minister’s 2017 Closing the Gap Report can be found on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website.

Some targets are due to expire in 2018. Through the Council of Australian Governments, all governments have reaffirmed that improving the lives of Indigenous Australians is a strategic priority for the nation, and have agreed to consider a refreshed framework, targets and implementation principles for the Closing the Gap agenda.

For information on state and territory policies and programmes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, visit:

• Australian Capital Territory – Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs
• New South Wales – Office of Communities—Aboriginal Affairs
• Northern Territory – Office of Aboriginal Affairs
• Queensland – Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
• South Australia – Department of Premier and Cabinet, Aboriginal Community Advice and Support
• Tasmania – Department of Premier and Cabinet, Office of Aboriginal Affairs
• Victoria – Department of Premier and Cabinet, Aboriginal Victoria
• Western Australia – Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage