Meeting Target 12 to support children

About Target 12 

This target under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap (the National Agreement) aims to reduce the rate of over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care by 45% by 2031. 

We are working with states and territories and First Nations stakeholders towards achieving Target 12.  

Measure 1: Improving Multidisciplinary Responses Program 

Measure 1 helps achieve Target 12 by designing and enhancing child and family services for First Nations families with multiple and complex needs. The program was designed in partnership with First Nations representatives. It provides an investment of $49 million over 5 years for the Improving Multidisciplinary Response Program.

Learn more about the Improving Multidisciplinary Response Program and how we are protecting First Nations Children. 

Measure 2: Developing the cultural competency and trauma responsive skills and capabilities of the child and family sector

The program aims to build the organisational and workforce capability of the child and family sector when working with First Nations clients.

Training will be developed and delivered to service providers and their staff in the sector. It will build their cultural responsiveness and trauma informed capabilities. This will help them work more effectively with First Nations clients.

SNAICC – National Voice for Our Children is developing the training in partnership with:

• AbSec NSW Child
• Family and Community Peak Aboriginal Corporation
• KWY Aboriginal Corporation
• Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak
• Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency
• independent consultants Yamurrah.

The training will lead to improved prevention and early intervention services that are culturally safe, responsive and trauma informed.

Measure 2 provides an investment of $7.7 million over 3 years.

The program will run until 30 June 2025. 

Measure 3: Stronger ACCOs, Stronger Families 

Measure 3 helps Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) in the child and family sector. It has 2 parts:

• Part 1 delivered the SNAICC Stronger ACCOs Stronger Families Report(Opens in a new tab/window) to identify the strengths, opportunities and barriers faced by ACCOs.
• Part 2 strengthens genuine partnerships between non-Indigenous organisations and ACCOs in the delivery of programs within the Families and Children Activity.

Measure 3 provided an investment of $3.2 million over 2 years.

Learn more about how we are increasing First Nations organisations delivering services.

Measure 4: Outcomes and Evidence Fund 

This fund helps ACCOs and First Nations organisations deliver projects designed in partnership with their communities. The projects provide services to people experiencing (or at risk of) child removal or family violence. They will also support First Nations people with disability.

Measure 4 provides an investment of $38.6 million to the Closing the Gap Outcomes and Evidence Fund. Funded projects will help achieve the goals of both Target 12 and Target 13.

Learn more about the Closing the Gap Outcomes and Evidence Fund. 

Protecting Australia’s children 

Safe and Supported is a National Framework to protect children in Australia. It is in place between 2021 and 2031. It will help to achieve Target 12.

Safe and Supported invests in 5 initiatives. These include:

• developing a National Child and Family Investment Strategy
• building the evidence base for First Nations family and children services.

Safe and Supported action plans were released on 31 January 2023. They are:

• the Safe and Supported First Action Plan
• the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander First Action Plan.

The action plans were developed in partnership between Australian, state and territory governments and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Group.

Learn more about Safe and Supported and the action plans.

National Commission

The National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People promotes the rights, interests, development, safety and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people. The Commission started as an executive agency on 13 January 2025.

The ongoing National Commissioner, Sue-Anne Hunter, started in the role on 1 September 2025. She is a Wurundjeri and Ngurai Illum Wurrung woman. She has broad experience in governance and leadership.

The National Commission Bill

The National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Bill 2026 was passed by the Parliament on 25 March 2026.

The National Commission will become a permanent statutory agency with extra powers from 1 July 2026. These powers will help address the systemic issues that affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people more than anyone else.

The Bill draws on wide consultation, including with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak bodies, leaders and communities.