NSW Health Implementation of Closing the Gap

NSW Health is an active contributor to interagency governance structures to support progress against the National Agreement of Closing the Gap (National Agreement) Target 13 and the NSW Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Plans. NSW Health actively promotes engagement of the NSW Health's Aboriginal Family Wellbeing and Violence Prevention Network in consultation and development of policies and programs to support progress against Target 13.

Under the state's new governance arrangements for the National Agreement, the Health and Wellbeing Sector Committee monitors progress and implementation of initiatives for 4 targets areas: life expectancy, healthy birthweight, early childhood development and social and emotional wellbeing. The Health Committee will consider partnership opportunities with other government and Aboriginal peak leads to improve health and wellbeing outcomes.

The NSW Aboriginal Health Plan 2024-2034 (the Plan) embeds the National Agreement Priority Reforms as cross-cutting enablers of systematic change. The Plan was developed in partnership between NSW Health and the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW following an extensive consultation process and guided by an Advisory Committee. The Plan recognises the need to connect with critical areas impacting the determinants of health including housing, education and family services and to work strategically across sectors to embed long-term improvements in community health and wellbeing. A statewide implementation plan and monitoring and measurement framework are under development with activities expected to strengthen commitment to the prevention of violence and abuse. The NSW Aboriginal Health Governance, Shared Decision-making & Accountability Framework, released in September 2024, has 4 principles to guide and embed these concepts at each level of decision making and governance in NSW Health.