The New South Wales Government has awarded 22 Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations new contracts under a $350 million investment in its redesigned Aboriginal Family Preservation program.
The reform, aimed at reducing the number of Aboriginal children entering out-of-home care, has been redeveloped over two years in partnership with AbSec, the peak body for Aboriginal children and families in NSW, alongside Aboriginal families, communities and ACCOs.
On Thursday, the government said the previous model was fragmented, often leaving families referred to services that did not meet their needs.
Under the new system, more than 4,000 at-risk families each year will receive tailored therapeutic and intensive support designed to help keep children safely with their families.
AbSec chief executive John Leha said the investment marked a significant milestone for Aboriginal-led family support services.
"It reflects a growing recognition that Aboriginal people and communities hold the knowledge, cultural authority and lived expertise needed to design and deliver the most effective supports for our children and families," he said.
"Sustained, community-led funding to ACCOs strengthens self-determination, builds culturally responsive services, and helps keep Aboriginal children safe, strong and connected to family, community and culture.
"We welcome this commitment and look forward to continued partnership to ensure investment translates into meaningful outcomes on the ground."
The reform directly targets the overrepresentation of Aboriginal children in out-of-home care, where they account for more than 46 per cent of placements, and sits within the government's broader $900 million overhaul of Family Preservation services.
NSW Families and Communities Minister Kate Washington said the changes would enable Aboriginal-led organisations to deliver culturally informed services that keep children connected to family and culture.
"This is the first time in our State's history where the funding going to Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations in any child protection program actually reflects the clear need amongst Aboriginal families," she said.
"This is a historic reform to the NSW child protection system aimed at reducing the unacceptable and entrenched overrepresentation of Aboriginal children in out-of-home care, representing self-determination in action."
For the first time, funding allocations will be based on data reflecting community need, while five-year contracts are intended to provide workforce stability and support stronger long-term outcomes for vulnerable families.
The state's Aboriginal Affairs Minister, David Harris, said the investment recognised what First Nations organisations had long been saying about their role in supporting communities.
"By investing in ACCOs, we are strengthening our Closing the Gap commitments and delivering real support that reflects those voices," Mr Harris said.
