Information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents of the ACT

Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme

The Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme is a financial and wellbeing package for Stolen Generations survivors who were removed as children from their family or community in the territories:

• the Northern Territory or the Australian Capital Territory before self-government
• Jervis Bay Territory

The scheme seeks to recognise the harm and trauma experienced by Stolen Generations survivors.

The National Indigenous Australians Agency is administering the scheme. It’s open for applications until 31 August 2027.

Community health

The ACT Health Directorate supports local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services to deliver culturally specific and appropriate health, social, emotional and wellbeing services.

Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services is an Aboriginal controlled health care service that offers a range of medical services and programs including GPs, nurses, social and emotional health services, dental services and more.

ACT Government programs

The Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs provides advice to the Minister on issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in the ACT. The office coordinates whole of government services, funding grants, initiatives and events for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members. It also provides administrative support to the Elected Body.

Aboriginal community-controlled organisation establishment and expansion

Applications are open for the Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation Establishment and Expansion Fund. The fund supports local Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) to establish, grow and be more sustainable.

The fund is $3.86 million over 4 years.

Bus service

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people needing transport to connect with their communities and culture in the ACT, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander transport program operates Monday to Friday. Bookings are essential.

Justice and community safety

The ACT Justice and Community Safety Directorate works to provide and improve justice services and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Local services include the Aboriginal Justice Centre, Galambany Court, and initiatives to reduce the number of Indigenous men and women in the criminal justice system.

Closing the Gap

The Elected Body is committed to Closing the Gap and improving the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We believe that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should have a meaningful say on policies and programs that impact us. We are proud to be a member of the Coalition of Peaks to make this happen through formal partnerships with Australian governments at all levels.

The Coalition of Peaks is a representative body of more than 80 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled peak organisations and members. The Coalition of Peaks came together to change the way Australian governments work with our people. The Coalition is committed to representing our people’s needs and ensuring their voice is heard in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

Visit Coalition of Peaks to find out more about the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

Boomanulla Oval

Our office home is at Boomanulla Oval – a place owned by our community, for our community. Boomanulla Oval has a long history of hosting important cultural and community events for the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. It’s an important and significant meeting place for our community and is where all of the Elected Body meetings and events are held.