Federal Budget Campaign

The Federal Government will hand down the Budget on Tuesday March 25 and SNAICC has made a strong case for 11 priority projects that will strengthen outcomes for our children.

We are calling on the Government in Budget 2025 to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to thrive in their early years through:

• implementation of a dedicated funding model for ACCO-integrated early years services
• Nest and Nurture Model for new ACCO early years services
• SNAICC Early Years Support Continuation and Expansion
• expansion of the Connected Beginnings program
• increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander early educator workforce
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ECEC workforce development innovation fund
• continuing and expanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Playgroups

We have also proposed Budget 2025 support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to be safe and well, and connected to their families, communities, cultures, and country through:

• resourcing and implementing Safe and Supported: the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children
• National ACCO prevention and early support program funding
• Implementing Our Ways – Strong Ways – Our Voices: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Plan to End Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence
• sustainable, ongoing funding for the Office of the National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People

Keep an eye out for our campaign on socials and share to amplify our voices.

Goodbye Activity Test

In early February, the Early Childhood Education and Care (Three Day Guarantee) Bill 2025 was passed in Parliament.

The Early Childhood Education and Care (Three Day Guarantee) Bill 2025 effectively removed one of the biggest barriers for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families in accessing quality early childhood education and care – the Activity Test.

Previously, the Activity Test required parents to meet specific work or study requirements to qualify for subsidies, which often created barriers for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. With this barrier now removed, children will have better access to high-quality, culturally safe early education and care ensuring that they are ready for big school.

Research has shown that access to services, particularly through community-controlled organisations, leads to better long-term outcomes for children, including improved school readiness and even a reduction in youth crime. This legislation marks an important step in closing the gap and supporting the future success of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

SNAICC would like to thank everyone who supported the passage of the Early Childhood Education and Care (Three Day Guarantee) Bill 2025.

SNAICC’25

The 11th SNAICC National Conference, SNAICC’25 ‘Our Culture, Keep it Strong, We Belong’ will be heading to Meanjin/Brisbane in October this year for what’s shaping up to be an exciting, energising and one-of-a-kind experience that celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families!

SNAICC’s conference planning crew travelled to Meanjin/Brisbane last month to meet with traditional owners and local Aboriginal-owned suppliers to orchestrate plans and talk about ideas that will fill the halls of Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre with a celebration of culture.

While there are still many plans to be put into place, we can promise that SNAICC’25 will be a conference not to miss.
To give you all a small glimpse, there’ll be song and dance performances from children as well as some of Australia’s premiere Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performers.

We hope to see you in Meanjin from 7–9 October!
Registrations will be opening soon, keep an eye out on SNAICC’s social media for the announcement.

SNAICC’25 Sponsorships and Exhibitors

Thinking about sponsoring or exhibiting your work the largest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander conference in the country?
50% of sponsorships and exhibitor booths are now taken, so get in quick!

Senate Inquiry into Measuring Outcomes for First Nations Communities

In early March, SNAICC Chairperson, Muriel Bamblett appeared before the Senate Inquiry into Measuring Outcomes for First Nations Communities alongside Wendy Anders, CEO of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Alliance (NATSIWA).

Aunty Muriel noted existing funding models, ways of working and approaches to measurement and evaluation aren’t enough to close the gap for our children. She maintained that while the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and its Priority Reforms provide the solutions, stronger commitment and investment is needed from governments to see them implemented.

During her appearance Aunty Muriel also acknowledged the recent success of the establishment of the National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People. She noted the critical work of the Safe and Supported and the Early Childhood Care and Development Policy Partnership through which this critical oversight and advocacy role was negotiated.

Aunty Muriel emphasised that self-determination and community control is the path to closing the gap and that our ACCOs and leaders understand communities best – they will continue to deliver the gold-standard in support and advocacy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, children and families.

National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People

SNAICC welcomed the launch of the office of the National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People with the appointment of Acting Commissioner Ms. Lil Gordon earlier this year.

SNAICC Chairperson, Muriel Bamblett, expressed support for Ms. Gordon in her interim role, highlighting the significance of the Commission in amplifying the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families, ensuring that they are safe and supported.

With Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children being grossly represented in out-of-home care and youth detention, SNAICC supports the Commissioner to hold the government to account to address these concerning trends.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children have the right to be connected to culture, community, and Country.
The Commissioner will play a crucial role in ensuring these rights are respected and protected.

Reject a Royal Commission

SNAICC, alongside over 100 of Australia’s leading organisations, advocates, allies and professionals in the child and family service, community, legal and health sectors have recommitted to a joint statement opposing the Coalition’s misguided policy to launch a Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse in remote communities.

The statement outlines that a royal commission will cost taxpayers millions of dollars without helping a single child while also disregarding the overwhelming evidence about what we need to be doing to protect children.

Evidence shows child abuse is an issue across all societies across Australia. No one is denying that child abuse is a serious issue and there needs to be action, however, singling out Aboriginal families and communities is harmful and puts ideology before evidence.

Connected Beginnings National Gathering

We also captured some excellent footage and insights from attendees at the Connected Beginnings National Gathering late last year speaking about the amazing work that they do for their communities.

See videos below:

Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre Visit

Hosted by the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre (TAC), SNAICC had the privilege of capturing the work and voices that are improving outcomes for communities across Kutalayna/Bridgewater, Pataway/Burnie and Kanamaluka/George Town.

The Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre team continue to be the drivers of systemic change across Lutruwita/Tasmania, watch the videos below.

IMR Update

In February, Community Partner Senior Project Officer, Indi Buckskin-James, had the privilege of visiting the Yerrabi Yurwang Child and Family Aboriginal Corporation.

Indi met with the IMR staff and had a fantastic visit filled with deep yarns at their beautiful lakeside location.
The visit provided a great opportunity to strengthen our connections and ensure we’re working together effectively to support the community.

We’re also excited to introduce some new team members to the IMR family, with fresh staff appointments across the sites. The SNAICC Community Partner team continues to provide ongoing support, keeping regular catch-ups with grantees to maintain strong collaboration to ensure we’re all working together as one.

Later this month, IMR grantees will come together for our first Community of Practice of the year! This will be a wonderful opportunity to connect, share experiences, meet new staff, and learn from one another in a collaborative space. We’re looking forward to hearing about what’s been working well, what’s supported your journey, and where we can continue to grow together.

Thank you all for your ongoing dedication! Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to move forward together.

First Nations Playgroup

We’re thrilled to kick off Playgroup for 2025 with exciting updates!

In February, our Community Partner Senior Project Officer, Indi Buckskin-James, visited Yerrabi’s Yurwang Child and Family Aboriginal Corporation for their first Playgroup session. The event was a success, with families sharing how Playgroup is positively impacting their lives, and children engaging deeply with culture and language. It was a heartwarming reminder of the power of community.

Thanks to Minderoo’s support, nominated staff from the First Nations Playgroup program attended Peep Training and the 2024 Playgroup Victoria Conference in Melbourne. These opportunities strengthen staff knowledge within the Aboriginal community-controlled sector and foster sector-wide engagement.

In our regular catch-ups with Playgroup sites, it’s inspiring to see facilitators using Peep Training creatively through play, singing, and reading. They’re integrating culture and language in new ways, providing a unique learning experience.

The SNAICC Community Partner team is also supporting Playgroup staff, ensuring families have the resources they need. We’re excited to witness more beautiful moments and milestones with Playgroup this year and to build on the amazing work already happening.

Stay tuned for more updates as we grow and move forward together!

National Child and Family Investment Strategy

Within our Policy and Research unit, the Special Projects team has been leading the development of a National Child and Family Investment Strategy in partnership with QATSICPP and Social Ventures Australia.

The Investment Strategy is an action under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander First Action Plan for Safe and Supported: the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2021–2031. It focuses on funding reform within the child and family service sector and aims to grow the proportion of investment in earlier supports for all children to reduce statutory child protection intervention. It also seeks to underpin the transition of services and funding for supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to the community-controlled sector. Both of these priorities have been a focus of advocacy by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders across the country for a very long time.

Following extensive research and engagement with governments and sector stakeholders, SNAICC has now submitted the final Investment Strategy to the Safe and Supported governance structure. Governments are working to progress it through their jurisdictional approval processes in the lead-up to final consideration by Ministers and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Group members at the next Shared Decision-Making Committee meeting.

Investment Strategy Innovation Fund

As part of the Australian Government’s work connected to the Investment Strategy, the Department of Social Services (DSS) recently ran a grant opportunity for an Innovation Fund.

The Innovation Fund will support service providers in testing how they can shift child and family services towards a focus on earlier supports and/or participate in efforts to ensure that government investment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child and family services begins to shift towards the ACCO sector.

In a range of high-priority locations across the country, ACCOs who deliver child and family services (and partnerships/consortia led by ACCOs) were able to apply for up to $1.2 million in funding over three years. SNAICC and the Safe and Supported Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Group provided expert advice to DSS on the development of the Grant Opportunity Guidelines for the Innovation Fund.

With the grant opportunity now closed, applications for the Innovation Fund will be assessed by a panel of expert sector and policy representatives, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders.

We are so excited to see the outcome of this process and the deadly initiatives that successful applicant ACCOs will be able to deliver!

Independent Review of Closing the Gap Underway – Have your say!

The first independent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led review of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap is now in progress, offering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities a vital opportunity to shape policies that affect their lives.

The Independent Review, mandated every three years under the Agreement, builds upon the 2024 Productivity Commission Review and focuses on the real experiences of those involved in its implementation.

As part of the process, the Coalition of Peaks will host an Assembly, bringing together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives from across the country to provide feedback on what’s working, what’s not, and where urgent improvements are needed.

The review, led by the Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research at UTS, is gathering feedback through a survey, written submissions, interviews, and in-person sessions across six locations.

This review isn’t just about measuring progress—it’s about shaping the future and holding governments accountable. Your voice matters in this process.

Have your say by the 6th April!