Recommendation 110

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.

The Australian Government funds and delivers a range of programmes through the Indigenous Advancement Strategy including to improve access to and the quality of education for Indigenous people. Through the Indigenous Advancement Strategy, Australian Government funding is targeted at increased and positive participation in early childhood development, primary and tertiary education, and vocational training. While the states and territories are responsible for education delivery, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet is leading the work of the Australian Government to improve access to and the quality of education for Indigenous people. More information can be found on the Indigenous Affairs - Education page on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website. Australian governments are working together to close the gap in Indigenous outcomes. Through the Council of Australian Governments, education opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are improving. A National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Strategy sets complementary actions for states and territories. More information on the strategy can be found on the Department of Education and Training website.

More information can be found on the Indigenous Affairs - Education page on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website.

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

For information about state and territory policies and programmes for children, visit:

• Australian Capital Territory – Education Directorate
• New South Wales – Department of Education
• Northern Territory – Department of Education
• Queensland – Department of Education and Training
• South Australia – Department for Education
• Tasmania – Department of Education Tasmania
• Victoria – Department of Education and Training
• Western Australia – Department of Education