Aboriginal Service Development

What we do

We're here to help the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. We work with community groups to make sure that everyone can make their own choices and be independent. We create rules and plans that guide these groups in giving support and services to people who need them.

Our services

We support Aboriginal Community-Controlled organisations by assisting them to develop policies and services that meet community needs.

We work together to create trust and cultural security. This shared journey is key.

We help to build relationships with:

• the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community
• non-government organisations
• human services groups.

Our programs

Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisation Establishment and Expansion Fund (AEEF): The AEEF opened in 2025 with the intention to support new and existing ACT Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations (ACCOs). The AEEF aims to support ACCOs to build organisational capacity and capability to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Canberra.

The AEEF is designed to support the growth and sustainability of new and existing ACT ACCOs. This is consistent with the ACT Government commitments under both:

• the National Agreement on Closing the Gap Priority Reform 2: Building the community-controlled sector
• the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Agreement 2019-2028.

If you have questions or would like to talk about the fund, contact us.

Strategies

We aim to improve wellbeing and independence through:

• Our Booris, Our Way
• We Don’t Shoot Our Wounded
• Next Steps for Our Kids
• ACT Commissioning Roadmap
• ACT Housing Strategy
• ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Agreement
• National Agreement on Closing the Gap

Advisory councils and reference groups

We work with the following groups to guide our work:

• Strategic Board of Management
• Indigenous Design Charter (IDC), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs
• Housing Coordination Group
• Housing Policy Partnership
• Housing Policy Partnership, National Inter-Departmental Committee
• Indigenous Procurement Policy Roundtable
• First Nations Care and Support Workforce Working Group
• Community Services Directorate Investment Management Committee
• Early Childhood Care and Development Policy Partnership

Grants

View grants available on the Grants, funding and incentives page.

Contact us

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Get updates from the Aboriginal Service Development branch.

Email: aboriginalservicedevelopment@act.gov.au