NSW Government to invest $246.8 million to Close the Gap

The NSW Labor Government is set to allocate $246.8 million over the next four years through an additional $202.4 million in the 2025-26 Budget to Close the Gap to improve the lives of Aboriginal people in NSW.

The investment will deliver 14 Closing the Gap initiatives in partnership with Aboriginal organisations and communities to produce more targeted, tangible outcomes for Aboriginal people across health, education, employment, criminal justice and unlocking economic opportunities.

In a major shift which demonstrates the government is listening and responding to the needs of Aboriginal people, the 2025-26 Closing the Gap budget has been designed in partnership with the NSW Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations (NSW CAPO).

“Delivering on Closing the Gap and creating a more equitable state, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, is not only the right thing to do; it builds a better NSW by strengthening our society, economy, culture and communities,” Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said.

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris.

The Productivity Commission’s 2024 review of Closing the Gap highlighted the need for governments to continue to work in partnership with Aboriginal organisations saying better outcomes were achieved when Closing the Gap solutions were designed, led and implemented by Aboriginal people and organisations.

The investment strengthens the Government’s partnership with NSW CAPO to deliver real benefits to Aboriginal communities.

The budget funding includes:

• $20 million for Aboriginal-led, culturally safe programs to support Aboriginal adults and children leaving custody, to reduce the likelihood of reoffending.
• $13.4 million for the NSW Aboriginal Legal Service and Department of Communities and Justice to reduce the over-representation of Aboriginal children in the criminal justice system through Aboriginal led solutions.
• $23.1 million to continue community-led suicide prevention programs through 25 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations.
• $21.9 million for the ‘Aboriginal Families First 2000 Days program’ to provide Aboriginal women and families with culturally appropriate, continuous care from pregnancy to starting school.
• $17.9 million to support Aboriginal organisations such as Local Aboriginal Land Councils to acquire and activate land, for example rezoning to unlock economic opportunities.
• $23.8 million to revitalise Aboriginal languages including new funding for 10 language centres.
• $31.5 million to improve Aboriginal people’s access to, and decision making about data about themselves across all NSW Government portfolios. This will empower Aboriginal organisations and communities to make better informed decisions.
• $6.2 million to continue the employment of AECG Community Connectors in Armidale, Bega, Dubbo, Lightning Ridge, Orange, Tamworth, and Wilcannia, supporting Aboriginal students and families by building relationships with schools and community organisations which leads to better academic and wellbeing outcomes.
• $12.1 million for an Aboriginal Employment and Outcomes Program to enable Aboriginal people in regional communities to work on country and practice sustainable natural resource management.

NSW CAPO will also receive $18.4 million over three years to build capacity and support its participation in the NSW Partnership on Closing the Gap.