National Agreement on Closing the Gap

The NSW Premier signed the new National Agreement on Closing the Gap on behalf of NSW in July 2020. 

In this National Agreement, governments agreed to do things differently. This means working in partnership with Aboriginal organisations and communities to make decisions. The aim is to improve life outcomes for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

This agreement was also signed by:

• the Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Organisations (NSW CAPO),
• the Australian government, state and territory governments,
• the Australian Local Government Association.

An implementation plan has been developed, in consultation with NSW CAPO. This plan has four key reform areas to change the way governments work with first nations peoples. It also acknowledges existing work, and that there is a lot more to do.

There are 17 areas with targeted outcomes. These include education, employment, health and wellbeing, justice, safety, housing, land and waters, languages, digital inclusion.

NSW has also developed a fifth priority reform on employment, business growth and economic prosperity.

This plan identifies focus areas and existing work underway while acknowledging there is a lot more to do.

The NSW Government and NSW CAPO are now partnering with communities to design new ways to make a difference. We want to hear from you on what will make a difference in your community.