National Child and Family Investment Strategy

The National Child and Family Investment Strategy (Investment Strategy) is a key activity under the Safe and Supported: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander First Action Plan 2023-2026.

The Investment Strategy will include a set of principles and actions. These principles and actions will drive funding priorities within the child and family service system. The Investment Strategy will focus on:

  • shifting towards preventative responses and early supports to reduce child abuse and neglect
  • building the capacity and capability of the Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) sector
  • preparing ACCOs for the proportionate transition of child and family service delivery functions.

The Australian Government has committed $10 million over 5 years (2022-23 to 2026-27) to develop the Investment Strategy and an Innovation Fund.

This work will help guide the Australian and State and Territory Governments’ future funding decisions for the child and family sector.

Development of the Investment Strategy

The department has engaged SNAICC – National Voice to develop the Investment Strategy. SNAICC will be consulting with a wide range of stakeholders, including State and Territory Governments and First Nations organisations.

Families Australia is also developing a comprehensive report that will identify the major challenges faced by non-Indigenous non-government organisations in relation to the transfer of proportionate funding to ACCOs.

Both projects are in development at the same time to ensure that processes are not duplicated and are expected to be completed by late 2024.

Innovation Fund

The principles and actions from the Investment Strategy will be implemented in select locations through an Innovation Fund grant opportunity.

To better understand what support is required to implement the Investment Strategy, funding will be provided to a diverse range of organisations.

The grant opportunity will open in the second half of 2024 and commence in the first half of 2025.

The department will develop the Innovation Fund’s Grant Opportunity Guidelines in consultation with:

  • SNAICC
  • the Safe and Supported System Leadership Working Group
  • other key stakeholders.

An external evaluation of the Innovation Fund will be completed in 2027.

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