First Nations programs received a significant funding boost from the WA Government as pandemic restrictions in remote and regional communities were lifted last financial year.
The forecast $770 million outlay in the 2022-23 WA Aboriginal expenditure review is more than 30 per cent higher since COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in regional areas, and will be used as a baseline review for future funding.
That government's funding increase from $583m across 362 First Nations programs in 2021-22 is significant and timely, given the service disruptions and limited access to vulnerable communities during and post-COVID.
The government signalled its intent for First Nations engagement in delivering funding programs in the recent State Budget, which stated 70 per cent of its initiatives relating to Aboriginal people involved Indigenous organisations, either solely or in partnership.
2021-22's figures show, more than 75 per cent of funding was through Aboriginal-specific programs, with the rest spent on programs benefiting Indigenous communities.
Department of Communities programs made up $167m of government funding, followed by Health ($125m), Education ($80m), Justice ($74m), and Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions ($32m).
About 20 per cent of programs in 2021-22 were delivered solely by Aboriginal organisations, half were run by partnerships, and 30 per cent by the state government alone.
Aboriginal Health Council of WA chairwoman Vicki O'Donnell said in the report's foreword the review would lead to more First Nations community organisations managing services relating to Indigenous people.
"(They) have been acknowledged as more efficient and more appropriate than non-Aboriginal service providers to inform and deliver services to Aboriginal people and their communities," she wrote.
There were several recommendations in the report, including the establishment of a First Nations business and organisation directory, increased Aboriginal engagement when service contracts were renewed, and federal and local government expenditure in future reports.
The WA figures come after Supply Nation in April reported its registered Indigenous businesses enjoyed a 65 per cent bump in total supply contracts to $3.8 billion for the 2022 financial year across Australia.
The massive jump in the value of contracts from its members over the FY22 compared to a 39 per cent rise a year earlier, with government contracts representing the biggest expenditure in FY22 at $1.7 billion - or 45 per cent - of the total, more than double the government spend in FY21.
