The Albanese Government has unveiled a fresh round of investments aimed at accelerating progress on Closing the Gap, releasing its 2025 Annual Report and 2026 Implementation Plan in partnership with First Nations representatives through the Coalition of Peaks.
The report outlines gains made over the past year and sets out priorities for 2026, with a strong focus on jobs, cost-of-living relief, housing, health and community safety in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said meaningful progress depended on governments listening and backing community-led solutions.
“Closing the Gap only works when governments listen to First Nations people and invest in community-led, practical solutions,” he said.
Among the headline measures is a $299 million investment to double the Remote Jobs and Economic Development Program from 3,000 to 6,000 jobs. About 1,500 roles have already been created, with the government saying the program delivers “the dignity of work with decent pay and conditions”.
PM Albanese said Australians broadly supported the national effort. “Australians want to close the gap because we all believe in the meaning of the fair go,” he said.
“The task before us is to build a future in which all Australians have access to the same opportunities.”
Cost-of-living relief in remote communities will also be expanded, with $27.4 million to lift the cap on the Low-Cost Essentials Subsidy Scheme. The scheme, which reduces the price of 30 essential grocery items, currently covers 113 stores but will now extend to all 225 eligible remote stores nationwide.
A further $32.7 million will expand the Store Efficiency and Resilience Package to 75 additional remote outlets, helping maintain fresh stock during the wet season and in areas where distance complicates transport.
In a significant move on community safety, the government will roll out Our Ways – Strong Ways – Our Voices: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Plan to End Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence 2026–2036, backed by an immediate $218.3 million investment. It is the first standalone national plan focused specifically on ending violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children.
Health reform also features prominently. As part of a new hospital funding agreement secured at National Cabinet, the Commonwealth will invest a record $250 million, matched by $200 million from states and territories, to improve outcomes for First Nations patients.
An additional $144.1 million will go towards health infrastructure upgrades across Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, building on more than 100 projects already delivered or underway. Crisis support service 13YARN will receive $13.9 million to extend its hours and introduce a text messaging service, expanding access to culturally safe counselling.
The government has also committed $44.4 million to expand the Birthing on Country program, providing culturally safe maternity care to around 1,100 mothers and babies each year, alongside $2.6 million to boost the First Nations Health Worker Traineeship program. Aboriginal Hostels Ltd will receive $48.3 million to continue delivering short-term accommodation services.
Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy said the new measures built on existing commitments and were already delivering results, “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.”
Ms McCarthy added that reforming how governments work with First Nations communities remained central to the agenda.
“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.”
Deputy Lead Convenor of the Coalition of Peaks Scott Wilson welcomed the collaborative approach, saying lasting progress required Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership.
“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,” he said.
“Our people and organisations have the knowledge and trust of their communities and that is exactly what’s needed to drive real, lasting change.”
Mr Wilson said the Coalition of Peaks was encouraged by the government’s commitment to partnership in designing and delivering the new and expanded programs, and hoped to see continued investment in the Aboriginal community-controlled sector.
The new measures 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, and expanded Indigenous Ranger programs.
The full 2025 Annual Report and 2026 Implementation Plan is available on the National Indigenous Australians Agency website.
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