Supporting First Nations women

Closing the Gap

Victoria is on the path to Treaty with First Peoples.

This means ensuring First Peoples have a say over the programs and policies that affect them and their families – from their housing to kids’ education to practising culture.

Because when First Nations people make decisions for their families and communities, we see better results.

A further $13 million will advance our Closing the Gap commitments, which include targets to address economic and social disparities that disproportionately affect Aboriginal women.

The Government began Treaty negotiations with the First Peoples’ Assembly in November 2024. The key priorities are supporting reconciliation, truth, education and healing between First Peoples and non-Aboriginal Victorians through tangible, structural change.

With this Budget, we’re delivering real action on self-determination, with 11 Budget proposals developed either in partnership with or through community-led decision-making.

Self-determination for First Nations women

First Nations women experience poorer outcomes across health, education and social domains compared to non-Aboriginal women.

Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) play an important role in providing Aboriginal-led services that are self-determined, helping women feel safe, heard and respected.

To create better outcomes for First Nations women, this Budget invests:

• $25 million to support ACCOs and First Nations representative bodies to lead and manage child protection services for First Nations children and families.
• $16 million to deliver maternal health services in Aboriginal-led health organisations, supporting First Nations women with culturally safe care during and after pregnancy, better coordination between perinatal care and maternal and child health services, and partnering with hospitals that adopt midwifery group practices that lead to better care for First Nations women.
• $8.4 million to empower Yorta Yorta Traditional Owners to continue to jointly lead the management of their ancestral country, and support First Nations women to lead and participate in caring for Country.
• $5.4 million for the Aboriginal Community Infrastructure Program and services to First Nations communities, including women-led organisations, programs and services.
• $5.3 million for a new streamlined kindergarten funding model for ACCOs to set up and run culturally responsive kindergartens and other early years services, for Aboriginal children and their families.
• $3.8 million for First Nations organisations and cultural events, including Koorie Heritage Trust, Koorie Youth Council and support for First Nations artists through dedicated awards and events.
• $2.8 million to support Aboriginal-led mental health programs aimed at preventing suicide among First Nations young people.
• $1 million to recognise First Peoples’ land rights and help Traditional Owner corporations negotiate settlements under the Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010, in which First Nations women make up 50% of Traditional Owner corporation board members at the negotiating table.