New investments build on progress in Closing the Gap

The Albanese Government is continuing to deliver on its Closing the Gap commitments by working with First Nations partners, represented by the Coalition of Peaks, to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The release of the Commonwealth's 2025 Closing the Gap Annual Report and 2026 Implementation Plan shows the progress made over the past year and outlines our strategy for the year ahead.

In 2025, the Albanese Government focused on jobs and training, easing cost of living and increasing food security in remote communities, and improving housing, health and education outcomes.

In 2026, the Albanese Government is building on what is working and investing in key areas to improve Closing the Gap outcomes. We are:

• Doubling the successful Remote Jobs and Economic Development Program from 3,000 to 6,000 new jobs with a $299 million investment. So far, around 1,500 jobs have been created, delivering the dignity of work with decent pay and conditions.
• Expanding cost of living support for remote communities with a $27.4 million investment to lift the cap on the Low-Cost Essentials Subsidy Scheme. 113 stores have already signed up to the Scheme, which will now be available to all 225 remote stores around Australia, delivering cost of living relief for 30 essential grocery items.
• Expanding the Store Efficiency and Resilience Package to 75 additional remote stores with a $32.7 million investment to keep stock fresh when the wet season and distance make transport difficult.
• Delivering Our Ways - Strong Ways - Our Voices: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Plan to End Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence 2026 - 2036, with an immediate investment of $218.3 million. The first standalone plan to end violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children.
• Reforming the health and hospital system to better meet the needs of First Nations people as part of the historic hospital funding agreement we secured at National Cabinet this month. This is a record $250 million Commonwealth investment and $200 million from the States and Territories.
• Investing a further $144.1 million to continue to improve health infrastructure across Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS), building on the over 100 projects already delivered or underway.
• As a matter of priority, investing $13.9 million in 13YARN to extend hours and establish a text message service so more First Nations people can access culturally safe, crisis counselling.
• Supporting the successful Birthing on Country program across Australia with a $44.4 million investment to provide culturally safe maternal care to 1,100 mothers and their babies annually.
• Boosting the First Nations Health Worker Traineeship program with an additional $2.6 million.
• Supporting Aboriginal Hostels Ltd with an investment of $48.3 million to continue to deliver critical short-term accommodation services.

These investments build on major commitments already underway, including a 10-year, $4 billion joint investment to halve overcrowding in remote Northern Territory communities, $600 million in dedicated First Nations housing funding through the Housing Australia Future Fund, expanded Indigenous Ranger and Junior Ranger programs, and targeted investments in education, justice reinvestment, health, water and digital connectivity.

Closing the Gap requires partnership and action. The Albanese Government is delivering by working with First Nations people, backing community-led solutions, and building on proven successes.

Read the Commonwealth Closing the Gap 2025 Annual Report and 2026 Implementation Plan at https://www.niaa.gov.au/our-work/closing-gap(link is external)

Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

"Closing the Gap only works when governments listen to First Nations people and invest in community-led, practical solutions.

"We have delivered record funding in health, education, housing including a $299 million investment to double our successful Remote Jobs program.

"Australians want to close the gap because we all believe in the meaning of the fair go.

"The task before us is to build a future in which all Australians have access to the same opportunities."

Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy:

"Our investments in Closing the Gap are making a difference and in 2026 we are building on these successes.

"The Government is creating thousands more real jobs in remote communities with decent pay and conditions, reducing housing overcrowding, easing the cost of living by lowering the cost of 30 essential items in more remote communities and improving access to health care.

"We continue to drive changes to the way governments work with First Nations people, organisations and communities, to ensure policies and programs are developed in genuine partnership."

Quotes attributable to Deputy Lead Convenor of the Coalition of Peaks, Scott Wilson:

"Closing the Gap means giving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations the power and resources to lead solutions. We've seen it happen and we know it works.

"Our people and organisations have the knowledge and trust of their communities and that is exactly what's needed to drive real, lasting change.

"We're pleased that the government is working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations to design, lead and deliver the new and expanded programs announced today, and we hope to see continued investment in the Aboriginal community-controlled sector."