Children, Family and Home

[1] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2022) Australia's children, AIHW, Australian Government

Measure 1.1.2 Rate of pre-term birth

In 2020 13.4 per cent of babies born to Aboriginal mothers were pre-term. This was an increase of 1.3 percentage points for the year. This is similar to the proportion in 2008 (13.1 per cent). Demonstrating marginal improvement over the short- and long-term period. In the same period babies born to non‑Aboriginal mothers decreased to 7.8 per cent. Pre-term birth is influence by maternal nutrition, cigarette smoking, substance use or abuse, work and physical activity, prenatal care, genitourinary tract infection, sexually transmitted diseases, psychological factors, and multiple gestations. Mainstream healthcare services do not adequately consider the cultural needs and safety of Aboriginal Victorians. This has deterred Aboriginal mothers from accessing essential services, impacting their health and the health of their babies.

Measure 1.1.3 Rate of perinatal mortality

In 2018-20, the rate of perinatal mortality for babies of Aboriginal mothers was 9.3 per 1,000 babies. This is a decrease by 3.3 per 1,000 from 2017-19 and 12.4 per 1,000 10 years prior (2009-11). This is the first decrease since the rate started increasing in 2014-16. While this is a positive change, the rate of perinatal mortality was 1.5 times higher for Aboriginal mothers than non-Aboriginal. Rates of perinatal mortality have been linked with rates of antenatal care and pre-existing medical conditions (hypertension, diabetes etc). Racism plays a major role in both the quality of delivered care and the ability for mothers to access that care^[2]. Aboriginal health in Aboriginal hands is key to grounding perinatal services in culturally safe practices.

Measure 1.1.4 Smoking during pregnancy

In 2020 39.4 per cent of Aboriginal women smoked during their first 20 weeks of pregnancy. For non-Aboriginal women 7.3 per cent smoked during the first 20 weeks. Historically Aboriginal women have been more likely to smoke during their first 20 weeks of pregnancy than non-Aboriginal women. Since 2009 there has been a 0.8 percentage point decrease in the proportion of Aboriginal women and a 3.8 percentage point decrease in the proportion of non-Aboriginal women smoking during pregnancy. Underlying socio-economic determinants present challenges to decreasing rates further. Tobacco control strategies need to consider the unique impact of colonisation on outcomes for Aboriginal Victorians.

Measure 1.2.1 Participation rates for Maternal and Child Health Key Ages and Stages Consultation

Aboriginal children were more likely to attend their Key Ages and Stages consultations across all stages in 2022-23 than in 2020-21. 80.6 per cent of Aboriginal children attended their Key Ages and Stages consultations in 2022-23 when averaging across all stages. Participation rates have improved for all Key Ages and Stages consultations since 2013-14. Consultations at 18 months have grown the most with 65.5 per cent participation in 2022-23.

When comparing to all children, Aboriginal children attended Key Ages and Stages consultations at the same proportion or higher for home visit, 18-month, 2-year and 3.5-year visits in 2022-23. While a result of an estimated 100 per cent participation for Home Visit consultations is positive, this result should be treated with caution. Population projections for very young children used to calculate this rate are subject to a margin of error. The participation rates over time indicate a positive and sustained trend. Access to health care in the early stages of life is a key factor in greater health outcomes later in life. Addressing the cultural safety of perinatal healthcare is necessary to improve outcomes. If Aboriginal mothers do not feel safe or listened to consultation participation is likely to be low. Currently these consultations are free of charge for all Victorian children^[3].

[3] More information on Key Age consultations at <www.health.vic.gov.au/publications/maternal-and-child-health-service-pr…;

Measure 1.2.2 Attendance at Koori Maternity Services

The number of women attending the Koori Maternity Services (KMS) program increased to 658 women in 2022-23, an increase of 193 since 2021-22. This is after declining since 2018-19 and 2020-21. In partnership with VACCHO, the KMS program continues to provide flexible, holistic, and culturally safe antenatal and postnatal care. KMS is central to improving outcomes for Aboriginal mothers and babies. The Department of Health is committed to working in partnership with VACCHO to drive systemic reform across the maternity sector, strengthen cultural safety and improve access to care for Aboriginal mothers and babies.

Case study: Maternity and newborn learning health network

SDRF enabler - Address trauma and support healing

DH’s 100,000 Lives initiative is committed to contributing to closing the gap in health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in Victoria. As part of the program and initiative planning and delivery, there have been proactive efforts to identify evidence and opportunities to achieve this. DH has formed a partnership with VACCHO to improve outcomes for women birthing Aboriginal babies.

The Maternity and Newborn Learning Network is committed to fostering a closer working relationship with Koori Maternity Services and VACCHO to better understand how DH can engage with ACCOs and sector leaders to enable self-determination. Through VACCHO, DH has invited an Aboriginal health practitioner to join the Maternity and Newborn Learning Health Network Advisory Group. This will enable greater understanding of barriers affecting Aboriginal women and their families accessing culturally appropriate care.

Measure 1.2.3 Immunisation rates at 12, 24, and 60 months

Aboriginal children are being immunised at historically high rates in Victoria. In 2023, health providers immunised Aboriginal one-, two- and five-year-olds at 92.8, 88.3, and 95.6 per cent respectively. Aboriginal Victorians aged five have a greater immunisation rate than non-Aboriginal Victorians by 0.7 percentage points. National targets for immunisations are still not being met for the majority of key ages (for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal cohorts). In 2023, Aboriginal 5‑year‑olds were the only cohort to meet the Federal Government immunisation target rate of 95 per cent or higher. Concerningly, immunisation rates for Aboriginal two-year-olds are declining. Overall, Aboriginal Victorians are still not immunised at the same rates as non-Aboriginal Victorians. To support improved immunisation amongst Aboriginal Victorians, Aboriginal Health Practitioners were authorised to administer certain vaccinations under the instruction of an authorised prescriber in August 2023. VACCHO has been funded to support the delivery of an Immuniser Program of Study for Aboriginal Health Practitioners in 2024 to increase their scope of practice to deliver vaccinations.

Measure 1.2.4 Participation in facilitated playgroups (0-5 years)

The number of Aboriginal children (0-5 years old) in Supported Playgroups and Koorie Supported Playgroups increased in 2023 to 640 and 317 children respectively. In Supported Playgroups, this represented a proportion of 3.4 per cent of all children (0-5 years). In Koorie Supported Playgroups, this presented a proportion of 0.07 per cent of all children (0-5 years).

Case study: Supported Playgroups

Supported Playgroups use evidence-based strategies to assist parents to develop their skills and confidence to improve the quality of the early home learning environment. This includes improving the quality of everyday interactions between parents and children which promote their wellbeing, cognitive, social and emotional development.

Qualified and trained facilitators deliver smalltalk, an evidence-based curriculum, to parents in a facilitated playgroup setting as well as one-on-one through In Home Support.

Supported Playgroups are available state-wide with local councils as the main providers. Almost $10 million per annum in ongoing funding is allocated to the delivery of Supported Playgroups, with implementation support provided by the Parenting Research Centre and Playgroup Victoria.

Case study: Koorie Supported Playgroups

Koorie Supported Playgroups is a prevention and early intervention initiative to improve the wellbeing and developmental outcomes of Aboriginal children by supporting their parents to improve their skills and confidence. Koorie Supported Playgroups are delivered by the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA), Mallee District Aboriginal Services and Rumbalara. The 2021-22 Budget allocated funding for the initiative ‘Early intervention and diversion’, which included funding to give 400 Aboriginal families each year access to Koorie Supported Playgroups and In Home Parent Coaching to support the home learning environments of young Aboriginal children.

Goal 2: Aboriginal children are raised by Aboriginal families

Overview

Measures under Goal 2 have varied in performance

Aboriginal children continue to be removed from their families and placed in the out-of-home care system at a historically high rate. In 2022-23, Aboriginal children were placed in out-of-home care at a rate 22.4 times that of non-Aboriginal children.

Legislation has been introduced to Parliament to expand the role of Aboriginal agencies delivering children and family services, which should result in a decrease in this vastly disproportionate rate in coming years.

While the number of Aboriginal children reunified with parent(s) within 12 months of admission to care has increased over the long-term, the rate of reunification has worsened as the number of admissions to care has tripled.

The Yoorrook for Justice Report found that there is an unbroken connection between First Peoples’ experiences with colonial child removal practices and their experiences with the current child protection system. The Victorian Government acknowledges the inter-generational trauma caused by the failings of Victoria’s child protection system and the recommendations made by the Yoorrook Justice Commission to remedy ongoing injustices within the system.

Goal 2 directly aligns with the following Closing the Gap Outcome and Target

Outcome 12: Aboriginal children are not overrepresented in the child protection system

• Target 12: By 2031, reduce the rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care by 45 per cent.

Closing the Gap - How Victoria is tracking nationally

Outcome 12: In 2023, the rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 0-17 years in out-of-home care was 57.2 per 1,000 children across Australia, compared to 102.9 per 1,000 children in Victoria. Nationally and in Victoria, these rates are worsening based on the baseline.

Measure 2.1.1 Rate and number of children and young people in care

The number and rate of Aboriginal children in out-of-home care remains at historic highs. In 2022-23, the number of Aboriginal children in out-of-home increased to 2,668. The rate remained stable at 102.9 per 1000 Aboriginal children. This rate was 22.4 times the rate of non‑Aboriginal children in out-of-home care.

This demonstrates a significant over‑representation of Aboriginal children in out‑of‑home care. The Children and Health Legislation Amendment (Statement of Recognition, Aboriginal Self-Determination, and Other Matters) Bill 2023 introduced a Statement of Recognition and principles for all decision makers involved with Aboriginal children and their families in the child protection system. The Bill expands the role of Aboriginal agencies delivering children and family services, with the goal of reducing the over-representation of Aboriginal children in care in Victoria.

Measure 2.2.1 Number and proportion of Aboriginal children and young people in care placed with i) relatives/kin and ii) other Aboriginal carers

The proportion of Aboriginal children in care under each type of caregiver remained stable 2022-23. 40.4 per cent of Aboriginal children were under the care of their Aboriginal relatives and kin in 2022-23. This represents 1,077 children. In total 79.1 per cent of Aboriginal children in care were with either Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal relatives and kin. The Children and Health Legislation Amendment (Statement of Recognition, Aboriginal Self-Determination and Other Matters) Bill 2023 recognises that Aboriginal people are best placed to make decisions and deliver services that protect the best interests of Aboriginal children. Aboriginal agencies delivering more child and family services will mean more Aboriginal children under the care of Aboriginal people.

Measure 2.2.2 Number and proportion of Aboriginal children and young people in care with a cultural plan

The proportion of Aboriginal children and young people in care with a cultural plan has increased over the past 3 years (2020-21 to 2022-23) to 71.4 per cent. Cultural plans are a vital enabler for Aboriginal children in care to maintain and strengthen their Aboriginal identity and encourage their connection to their Aboriginal culture and community. ACCOs, funded by DFFH for the provision of cultural planning, are responsible for supporting care teams to develop, check and endorse cultural plans. The Victorian Government acknowledges further work needs to be done to ensure all Aboriginal children in statutory care have a cultural plan. In September 2023, the Aboriginal Children’s Forum (ACF) agreed the approach to cultural planning should be reconsidered through an Aboriginal-led Statewide Cultural Planning Forum. Considerations include how the current model can be improved and redesigned to increase the quality and compliance of initial and review plans and to support culturally appropriate implementation.

Measure 2.2.3 Number and proportion of Aboriginal children and young people in care on contractible orders managed by Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs)

In 2022-23, the proportion was 38.0 per cent, a decline from 43 per cent in 2019-20. This is the second straight year decline in the proportion and the first decline in the total number of children on a contractible order. These declines could be due to a number of factors within the care system, including more children being released to family and kin relationships instead of in the care of an ACCO.

Measure 2.2.4 Number and proportion of Aboriginal children and young people on protection orders under the direct authority of an ACCO (Section 18)

In 2022-23 8.9 per cent of Aboriginal children under a protection order were in the care of an Aboriginal organisation. Over the last five years this proportion has increased. In 2018-19 only 3.3 per cent of children under a protection order were in the care of an Aboriginal organisation. While it is positive to see the increase, there is still a significant amount of work required to transition the care system to a self-determined model.

Measure 2.3.1 Number of children and young people reunified with parent(s) within 12 months of admission to care as a proportion of all Aboriginal children and young people admitted to care

460 Aboriginal children were reunited with their parent(s) within 12 months of admission to care in 2022-23. This number has increased over time with only 239 reunifications in 2007-08. During that period the number of Aboriginal children and young people in care has almost tripled, and the reunification rate has not kept pace. 51.9 per cent of Aboriginal children and young people were reunified in 2022-23 compared to 64.2 per cent in 2007-08. In contrast, 64.5 per cent of non-Aboriginal children and young people were reunified in 2007-8 compared to 48.3 per cent in 2022-23.

Reforms to the child protection system to give ACCOs a greater role in the out-of-home care of Aboriginal children should make a difference to these rates over the next few years.

Measure 2.3.2 Number of Aboriginal children and young people who exit care and do not return to care within 12 months as a proportion of all Aboriginal children and young people who exit care

The number of Aboriginal children exiting care increased to 850 in 2022-23. Of those, 613 did not return to care within 12 months. The proportion of Aboriginal children that did not return to care was 72.1 per cent in 2022-23 compared to 75.4 per cent in 2020-21.

For non-Aboriginal children the trend is more stable. The proportion of children that did not return to care was 79.7 per cent in 2022-23 compared to 80 per cent in 2020-21.

Goal 3: Aboriginal families and households thrive

Overview

Measures under Goal 3 have declined

Family violence continues to have a disproportionate impact on Aboriginal people in Victoria. The rates of family violence incident reports involving an Aboriginal other party or Aboriginal affected family member are significantly higher than the population rate.

After a 2021 decrease in the number of family violence notifications to child protection involving Aboriginal children, the number has again increased significantly. The 5,575 notifications involving Aboriginal children in 2022-23 was the highest since records have been kept.

Worsening outcomes are also evident in the number of Aboriginal Victorians accessing homelessness services and the number of Aboriginal adults running out of food and being unable to buy more.

Goal 3 directly aligns with the following Closing the Gap Outcomes and Targets

Outcome 9: Aboriginal people secure appropriate, affordable housing that is aligned with their priorities and needs.

• Target 9: By 2031, increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in appropriately sized (not overcrowded) housing to 88 per cent.

Outcome 13: Aboriginal families and households are safe

• Target 13: By 2031, the rate of all forms of family violence and abuse against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children is reduced at least by 50 per cent, as progress towards zero.

Closing the Gap - How Victoria is tracking nationally

Outcome 9: In 2021, 81.4 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were living in appropriately sized (not overcrowded) housing across Australia, compared to 88.8 per cent in Victoria.

Nationally, based on progress from the baseline, target 9A shows improvement but is not on track to be met. In Victoria, there has been some improvement since 2016 (the baseline year).

Target 9B is not able to be reported against as there is no data source currently available which includes all required data elements.

Outcome 13: In 2018-19, 8.4 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander females aged 15 years and over experienced domestic physical or threatened physical harm across Australia, compared to 7.5 per cent in Victoria.

This target relies on National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey data. No new data is available since the baseline year of 2018-19.

3.1 Reduce the incidence and impact of family violence affecting Aboriginal families^[4]

The 2016 Royal Commission into Family Violence report acknowledges that a significant majority of perpetrators of family violence are men, and that Aboriginal people, particularly Aboriginal women and children, are disproportionately impacted by family violence compared to non-Aboriginal people.

Dhelk Dja: Safe Our Way – Strong Culture, Strong Peoples, Strong Families is an Aboriginal-led Victorian Agreement to address family violence in Aboriginal communities. The Agreement recognises that family violence is not part of Aboriginal culture and that family violence against Aboriginal people is perpetrated by both non-Aboriginal and Aboriginal people.

The extent of the impact of family violence on Aboriginal women compared to non-Aboriginal women is highlighted in the Family Violence Reform Rolling Action Plan 2020-2023, which states that Victorian Aboriginal women are 45 times more likely to experience family violence and, where violence occurs, 25 times more likely to be killed or injured.

Aboriginal people face intersecting barriers to reporting family violence and seeking support. Some barriers highlighted in the Royal Commission’s report include discrimination, racism and lack of understanding experienced by Aboriginal people when seeking support, and the effects of trauma associated with dispossession, child removal and other practices. The Royal Commission’s report acknowledges that there is lack of culturally appropriate service responses.

The long-standing leadership of Aboriginal communities, Elders and ACCOs in Victoria in preventing and responding to family violence should be recognised. For example, Djirra delivers specialist and holistic family violence prevention and legal services.

Measure 3.1.1 Number and proportion of family violence incident reports involving an Aboriginal other party^[5]; and proportion of those who were the subject of a previous family incident report

In 2022, there were 6,315 family violence incident reports that involved an Aboriginal other party. This made up 6.84 per cent of all family violence incident reports that involved an other party. Relative to the Aboriginal population, the proportion of family violence incident reports that involved an Aboriginal other party is significantly high. Of the 6,315 incidents in 2022, 86.9 per cent involved a repeated incident and 37.6 per cent had charges laid.

Measure 3.1.2 Number and proportion of family violence incident reports involving an Aboriginal affected family member; and proportion of those who were the subject of a previous family incident report

In 2022, there were 5,266 family violence incident reports that involved an Aboriginal affected family member. This made up 5.7 per cent of all family violence incident reports that involved an affected family member. Relative to the Aboriginal population, the proportion of family violence incident reports that involved an Aboriginal family member is high. However, it is less than the proportion of family violence incidents involving an Aboriginal other party. Of the 5,266 incidents in 2022, 81.7 per cent involved a repeated incident and 34.4 per cent had charges laid.

Measure 3.2.1 Proportion of adults who ran out of food in the previous 12 months and couldn’t afford to buy more

In 2022 24.5 per cent of Aboriginal respondents to the Victorian Population Health Survey ran out of food in the past 12 months and could not buy more. This was an increase from 15.1 per cent in 2020. Compared to non-Aboriginal adults, Aboriginal adults were more than three times likely to run out of food in 2022. Due to changes in data collection and survey methodology, it is difficult to determine the trend of the proportion of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal adults who ran out of food in the past 12 months of a year, over time. This shows the need to have consistent data collection. With the increasing cost of living, food insecurity is becoming a significant challenge for policy makers to tackle.

Measure 3.2.4 Proportion of Victorians accessing homelessness services

13.1 per cent of Aboriginal Victorians accessed homelessness services in 2022-23. This was an increase from 10.2 per cent in 2011-12. Over the same period, non-Aboriginal Victorians accessing homelessness services remained steady. Aboriginal Victorians were 10.1 times more likely to access homelessness services in 2022-23. 1.7 per cent of Aboriginal Victorians reported being homeless in the 2021 Census. This is a small increase from 2016 but this has been decreasing since 2011. During this same period non-Aboriginal homelessness has remained steady at 0.4 per cent. The leading cause of homelessness, particularly for Aboriginal women and children, is family violence^[7]. It is therefore important that housing and homelessness programs support safe and suitable housing options for Aboriginal women and children that experience family violence. The history of colonial dispossession of land and resources also has ongoing impacts on housing for Aboriginal Victorians.

Case study: Aboriginal-specific homelessness entry points

The 2022-23 State Budget provided funding of $7.3 million over 2023-24 and 2024- 25 for a new Aboriginal-specific homelessness entry point, brokerage, and Housing First multi-disciplinary teams pilot program.

As recommended by the Aboriginal Housing and Homelessness Forum (AHHF), the pilot will operate in two sites, one regional and one metropolitan. Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative has commenced pilot service delivery in the Barwon region and Ngwala Willumbong in the Bayside Peninsula and CBD areas. Both Entry Points are funded from February 2024 through to June 2025.

These entry points will enable Aboriginal people who require homelessness support the choice of an Aboriginal-specific response or a ‘mainstream’ service response. The Aboriginal-specific response provides an additional layer of support at outreach and entry to the homelessness system as well as intensive support for people with multiple and complex needs. The pilot program will be Aboriginal-led and will provide culturally appropriate responses to Aboriginal people’s homelessness needs. Additionally, the pilot will enhance the service offering of existing ACCOs supported by a ‘no wrong door’ approach to screening rather than a single point or funnel for entry to the homelessness system.

Ongoing design and implementation of the entry points and multidisciplinary teams will be self-determined with support from Aboriginal Housing Victoria as the system partner.

The establishment of Aboriginal-specific entry points were key deliverables of the Blueprint for an Aboriginal Specific Homelessness System in Victoria (Blueprint). The Blueprint was developed as a key deliverable of Manan-na woorn-tyeen maar-takoort; Every Aboriginal Person Has a Home – the Victorian Aboriginal Housing and Homelessness Framework (VAHHF).

Case study: Homes for Aboriginal Victorians Round (HfAVR)

SDRF enabler - Transfer power and resources to communities

DTF, with Homes Victoria, is delivering the Homes for Aboriginal Victorians Round (HfAVR) of the Social Housing Growth Fund. This initiative contributes to the Big Housing Build Target of allocating 10 per cent of social housing dwellings to Aboriginal Victorians.

Unlike other funding rounds of the Social Housing Growth Fund, the HfAVR adopts a long-term procurement approach to support the development of an Aboriginal Housing sector and enables Aboriginal Controlled Community Organisations (ACCOs) to seek funding from the Social Housing Growth Fund.

The HfAVR has assessed projects under four evaluation periods to date, with each evaluation period at various stages of negotiating and contracting. A fifth evaluation period is currently under assessment, with outcomes expected to be confirmed by the end of 2024. Future evaluation periods may be opened subject to available funding.

All social housing dwellings funded through this round will be owned (or the subject of a long-term lease to) and operated by ACCOs or Community Housing Agencies (CHAs) in partnership with an ACCO and allocated to Aboriginal Victorians on the Victorian Housing Register.

The initiative further supports ACCO ownership of social housing by:

• providing funding for ACCOs to become CHAs using a procurement model that allows proposals to be developed within timeframes that suit the organisation.
• dedicating personnel outside of the evaluation team to provide feedback on proposals ahead of the lodgement to help organisations put forward strong proposals.

Domain 1 - Victorian Government Investment and Action

The Victorian Government is working to drive improved outcomes for children and families.

The key Aboriginal Governance Forums for realising outcomes in this Domain are: the Aboriginal Children’s Forum, Aboriginal Strategic Governance Forum, Dhelk Dja Partnership Forum, Victorian Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Partnership Forum, and Victorian Aboriginal Housing and Homelessness Framework Implementation Working Group.

Maternal Child Health and Early Parenting

Through the ‘More Support for Mums, Dads, and Babies’ initiative, the 2023-24 State Budget allocated $71.28 million over four years to deliver more responsive community-based health care for mums, dads, babies and children. The Budget included new funding over four years to boost the capacity of Aboriginal MCH services; funding to establish Victoria’s first dedicated Aboriginal-led Early Parenting Centre (EPC) in Frankston, and targeted funding to Aboriginal MCH services and Koori Maternity Services to build workforce capacity to deliver Aboriginal-led breastfeeding support. Additionally, Aboriginal organisations were eligible to apply for funding under the Dad’s group grant program and Multicultural Storytime program.

The EPC will be operated by First Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing (FPHW). It will enhance FPHW’s holistic, wrap-around care of families, from the antenatal period to early childhood and beyond. DH is currently working with FPHW on the construction of the EPC.

An Aboriginal–led design and participation project is underway with a focus on embedding Aboriginal knowledge and expertise to shape holistic health service delivery spanning across antenatal, maternal and child health, and early parenting supports. Over 100 people attended the state-wide and regional workshops across October and November 2023. The findings from this process will inform the development of a Victorian Aboriginal Early Years Health Framework.

The 2022-23 Victorian State Budget has enabled ongoing funding to sustain the Aboriginal Maternal and Child Health program. Aboriginal services are critical for creating cultural safety and access to services in order to strengthen service choice and flexibility.

To ensure the delivery of ongoing Cultural Safety professional development and training for all MCH providers DH engaged Centre for Cultural Competence Australia (CCCA) to deliver training to the MCH workforce in 2024.

The Victorian Government has provided funding to the DH to develop and implement a new MCH system to replace the existing Child Development Information System (CDIS) along with the system used by the MCH phone line. DH is working closely with all stakeholders throughout this multi-year project, to ensure that the new system is designed to meet the needs of all users, support the efficient and effective delivery of MCH services to families and children and how the new system can support culturally appropriate service delivery.

The Aboriginal Maternal Child Health (MCH) Workforce Support Funding provided one-off direct funding to all Victorian Aboriginal MCH sites to assist with service delivery and help to build workforce capacity in the 2023 calendar year. This funding supports costs associated with workforce support and training, and recruitment and attraction of MCH nurses and Aboriginal health workers into Aboriginal MCH services. The Aboriginal MCH workforce can access specialised training in family violence. DH has partnered with the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare to offer interactive webinar training in the family violence MARAM (the Multi‑Agency Risk Assessment and Management) framework. The training will support Aboriginal MCH workers to understand their MARAM framework responsibilities including what it means for their day-to-day practice.

Koori Maternity Services Program

In partnership with VACCHO, the Koori Maternity Services (KMS) program continues to provide flexible, holistic and culturally safe antenatal and postnatal care which is central to improving outcomes and increasing participation in maternity care for Aboriginal women, women having Aboriginal babies and their families.

The number of women attending Koori Maternity Services (KMS) increased from 465 in 2021-22 to 658 in 2022-23 (an increase of 193 women), after declining between 2018-19 and 2020-21.

$4.3m was invested in Koori Maternity Services in 2022-23, including service delivery through 10 Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and three public health services, and KMS workforce education and training through the Royal Women’s Hospital’s Maternity Services Education Program (MSEP).

The Aboriginal Advisory Group - Early Years Health (AAG EYH) has been established with a focus on improving health, wellbeing and developmental outcomes in the first 2000 days for Aboriginal children, mothers, fathers, parents, carers, and families. The AAG EYH brings together DH with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal members representing Aboriginal communities in Victoria, ACCHOs and ACCOs, and State Government with a common purpose of strengthening health and wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal people in the early years from pregnancy through to commencing school.

Family Violence

Dhelk Dja - Safe Our Way: Strong Culture, Strong Peoples, Strong Families (‘Dhelk Dja’)

Dhelk Dja is the key Aboriginal-led Victorian Agreement that commits the signatories – Aboriginal communities, Aboriginal services and government – to work together and be accountable for ensuring that Aboriginal people, families and communities are stronger, safer, thriving and living free from family violence. Dhelk Dja is built upon the foundation of Aboriginal self-determination.

The Dhelk Dja Three-Year Action Plan 2019-2022 articulates the critical actions and supporting activities required to progress the Dhelk Dja Agreement’s five strategic priorities. Each of these priorities recognise the need to invest in Aboriginal culture, leadership and decision making as the key to ending family violence in Victorian Aboriginal communities.

The Dhelk Dja Second Three Year Action Plan was endorsed at the October 2022 Dhelk Dja Partnership Forum and sets an expectation that departments will enter into an Agreement Making Framework with Dhelk Dja Koori Caucus and the Dhelk Dja Partnership Forum members to commit to departmental plans to support implementation of the Dhelk Dja 10 Year Agreement to be released to the public mid-2024.

In the development of the Second Three Year Action Plan, there is strong alignment against our commitment to delivering on the Closing the Gap target 13: The rate of all forms of family violence and abuse against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children is reduced at least by 50 per cent, as progress towards zero through the second Dhelk Dja Three-Year Action Plan 2023-2025.

Dhelk Dja Koori Caucus identified the second action plan must be underpinned by:

• Leadership capability for Action Groups to be able to deliver against the 10 Year Plan
• Data sovereignty and Aboriginal communities controlling the narrative, supporting communities to collect and interpret data
• Funding reform - longer term, sustainable funding and job security for service system staff
• Holding mainstream agencies accountable, funding and improving referral pathways to ACCOs to ensure they can provide prevention and early intervention
• Building an evidence base of what works when family violence services are delivered by Aboriginal organisations and tailored to the local community.

The Victorian Government has boosted funding to family violence and sexual assault service delivery funding to Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations from approximately $5.2 million in 2017-18 to approximately $52.5 million in 2022-23, which includes new service delivery functions arising from the family violence reforms such as The Orange Door.

In line with the Aboriginal Funding Policy, at least 10 per cent of the family violence and sexual assault funding provided in this Budget will also be allocated to ACCOs.

Family Safety Victoria is committed to working with the Dhelk Dja Koori Caucus to establish a sustainable funding approach under the proposed 10 Year Investment Strategy to ensure ACCOs delivering family violence service responses are supported with equitable funding to continue to meet the demand for culturally safe, holistic service responses that meet the needs and aspirations of the Victorian Aboriginal community.

Dhelk Dja Aboriginal Family Violence Fund

Established as a flexible pool of funding streams for eligible Aboriginal organisations and community groups to enable a range of Aboriginal-led tailored responses for victim survivors and people who use violence. Over 80 Aboriginal-led initiatives and services share in the $18.2 million Dhelk Dja Family Violence funding pool, enabling Victorian Aboriginal organisations to deliver culturally appropriate support for Aboriginal victim survivors and people who use violence. Support includes regionally based healing and change camps and weekly yarning sessions, financial counselling support for Aboriginal women wanting to leave unsafe homes, and the delivery of therapeutic services and programs to support Aboriginal children. The fund provides Aboriginal organisations with funding over two years, giving them greater certainty in planning how they deliver family violence services that are tailored to the needs of their communities.

Other family violence initiatives

DFFH is providing $2.2 million for the Aboriginal Community Initiatives Fund (CIF) in 2023-24 to implement community led projects that educate, prevent, reduce and respond to family violence in Aboriginal communities across Victoria.

Projects funded through CIF support and address priorities that are identified by the 11 Dhelk Dja Action Groups to address family violence at a local level. Since 2014, the CIF has supported more than 300 projects in Aboriginal communities across Victoria.

Aboriginal Access Points (AAP) are being established as a complementary service model to work alongside The Orange Door, providing a culturally safe referral pathway for Aboriginal people impacted by family violence. Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative and VACCA were the successful ACCO service delivery partners appointed in early 2022 to establish the service in Barwon and Bayside/Peninsula Area. A third AAP is expected to be established in the Mallee in 2024.

Place for Change (previously known as the Medium-term Perpetrator Accommodation Service) was established in 2021 as a pilot program. It provides an accommodation-based case management response for people using violence. The 2023-24 State Budget allocated ongoing funding of $2.8 million to continue the program. It is available in five DFFH areas. In 2022 VACSAL and VACCA were selected to deliver Aboriginal-led sites of the initiative in North-Eastern Melbourne Area/Hume Moreland Area and Inner Gippsland Area respectively. Ernst and Young were commissioned by DFFH to undertake two independent evaluations of the program in 2021 and 2023.

The Aboriginal Sexual Assault Trials deliver culturally sensitive support to Aboriginal victim survivors of sexual assault based on holistic healing principles and building on the Nargneit Birrang Framework. Yoowinna Wurnalung Healing Service (Outer Gippsland), Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (Northeast Melbourne), and VACCA (Southern Melbourne) were the successful organisations following a call for submission process and commenced in 2020. Ballarat & District Aboriginal Health Service (Central Highlands) and VACCA (Western Melbourne) joined the trials in 2021. The trials are working with adult and child victim survivors of recent and/or historical sexual abuse and their families to provide holistic wrap around support for recovery.

Work has continued to build the evidence base to support Dhelk Dja prioritisation and investment, including:

• the Dhelk Dja Data Sub Working Group was instrumental in developing defined data, indicators and measures to track our progress against the Closing the Gap Target 13: by 2031, the rate of all forms of family violence and abuse against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children is reduced at least by 50 per cent, as progress towards zero.
• the first comprehensive data pack was presented to the Dhelk Dja Partnership Forum at the October 2022 and an updated Dhelk Dja Data Pack was provided to Dhelk Dja Partnership Forum in July 2023.
• URBIS and Karen Milward were engaged to undertake an Aboriginal Family Violence Primary Prevention Research Project to support the refresh of the Indigenous Family Violence Primary Prevention Framework in 2023.

Children and Family Services

Aboriginal Child Protection Diversion Trials Project

The Aboriginal Children and Families Innovation and Learning Fund supported a consortium to deliver the Child Protection Diversion Trial Project.

Three different approaches were trialled to test the hypothesis that having an Aboriginal organisation involved in decision making will improve outcomes for children and families. The trials were:

• Aboriginal-Led Case Conferencing (ALCC) (Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency)
• Aboriginal-Led Aboriginal Family Decision-Making During Open Investigation Program (AFLDM) (Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Cooperative and the Njernda Aboriginal Corporation)
• Garinga Bupup (Bendigo and District Aboriginal Cooperative).

A 2022 evaluation found that the ALCC trial had a 78 percent diversion success rate (no return to Child Protection), and Garinga Bupup had 63 percent diversion success rate.

This evidence formed part of a business case to secure more investment aimed at preventing Aboriginal children and families from escalating further within the child protection system. The 2023-24 Budget allocated funding of $28.8 million over four years to enable ACCOs to deliver rapid and place-based responses to families.

Aboriginal Kinship Finding Service

Kinship care is provided by relatives of a member of a child’s social network to children at risk who cannot live with their parents. The Aboriginal Kinship Finding Service aims to identify kinship networks early and support kinship connections for Aboriginal children and young people who require care or are at risk of entering care. VACCA have been contracted to operate the statewide service since September 2018. An evaluation in 2020 has informed the ongoing implementation and enhancement of the service.

Transitioning Aboriginal Children to ACCOs

DFFH is working in partnership with ACCOs and Community Service Organisations (CSOs) to support the gradual transfer of case management and care of all Aboriginal children and young people on contractible protection orders to ACCOs. Child protection must consult with the Aboriginal Child Specialist Advice and Support Service (ACSASS) when considering contracting case management to an ACCO.

The 2023-24 Budget includes dedicated funding for Transition Readiness Officers to help implement the commitment that 100 per cent of Aboriginal children managed by an ACCO.

Aboriginal Children in Aboriginal Care (ACAC)

ACAC is the program name that supports implementation of Section 18 of Children, Youth, Families Act 2005 which enables the Secretary of the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing to authorise the Principal Officer of an Aboriginal agency to perform specified functions and powers conferred on the Secretary in relation to an Aboriginal child or young person subject to a protection order.

ACAC is an important and vital step for Aboriginal self-determination and self-management that will have a significant impact for Aboriginal children. By placing the responsibility for the protection and care of Aboriginal children with Aboriginal agencies, including case planning and decision making, ACAC allows ACCOs to do things differently and in culturally attuned ways to make a difference in the lives of Aboriginal children and families.

In 2023-24 the Victorian Government funded the expansion of the ACAC program to total 1,152 children authorised to an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) by June 2027

Community Protecting Boorais program

The Victorian Government provided $11.63 million of funding over four years for the Community Protecting Boorais program in the 2020-21 State Budget.

The additional funding of $13.67 million in the 2023-24 State Budget commits to another three years and an additional two teams who will investigate reported concerns of harm made to child protection, taking the total number of teams to four by 2026-27.

This will grow the capacity from 174 children to 348 Aboriginal children managed by the Community Protecting Boorais program.

The program commenced in October 2023 with positive results. A full evaluation of the program will commence in 2024 with the final report issued in 2026-27.

Family Preservation and Reunification Response

The Family Preservation and Reunification Response is an evidence-based service model that aims to keep vulnerable children and families together safely where possible, and to support children in care to return home safely.

The model has been implemented in all 17 DFFH Areas. The Response is delivered by 34 providers including 12 Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, in partnership with Child Protection.

In 2023-24 the Victorian Government expanded the Family Preservation and Reunification Response enabling an additional 85 Aboriginal families each year by 2026-27 to receive an Aboriginal-led response.

Births, Deaths and Marriages

Strong identity, strong spirit outreach program

The Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages’ (BDM) Strong identity, Strong Spirit outreach program was launched in 2017.

BDM’s Marguk-bulok koolin-ik Team (Aboriginal Outreach) works with Aboriginal community organisations to deliver culturally-safe services directly to Aboriginal community members across Victoria.

The program also seeks to proactively engage with schools, Koori maternal services and maternal child health practitioners. BDM provides support for agencies with children in care and works closely with them to register births and provide certificates.

Ochre Strategy – For Our Generations (2024-2028)

BDM is also in the final stages of drafting its Ochre Strategy – For Our Generations (2024-2028). This will replace BDM’s previous Coolamon Strategy 2017-2021, and builds on the Strong Identity, Strong Spirit program achievements. It will embed principles of self-determination, ensure culturally safe service delivery and increase birth registrations and birth certificate possession for all Aboriginal community members who are born, married or pass in Victoria.

Consumer Affairs

Aboriginal consumer justice

Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) is committed to better engagement to understand and provide better services and support to Aboriginal people and community. A key focus in 2023 involved recruitment of a new, senior Aboriginal Designated Position to help lead CAV’s Aboriginal community engagement and response. The inaugural position commenced in October 2023. The role assists CAV as the consumer protection regulator in Victoria to prioritise culture, promote cultural safety, build staff capability and support strong partnerships. A strong initial priority is to provide advice to help address systemic problems and other access barriers Aboriginal people encounter in the private rental housing market.

Housing and Homelessness

Mana-na woorn-tyeen maar-takoort: Every Aboriginal Person Has a Home

The Victorian Aboriginal Housing and Homelessness Framework (VAHHF)provides a 20-year plan to guide policy reform in responding to specific housing needs for Aboriginal Victorians. The VAHHF is the blueprint for government and the sector to work together and provides the vehicle for government to deliver on Aboriginal self-determination by transitioning power and responsibility over to community to determine the approach required to address their community’s needs.

In April 2022, Homes Victoria committed $1.16 million for three years to support the VAHHF implementation. The delivery of the VAHHF is monitored through the VAHHF Annual Report Card. The Annual Report Card provides a status update of the VAHHF yearly work plan and a report against 20 outcome measures that align with specific strategic directions outlined in the VAHHF. It is intended that the 2023 & 2024 Annual Report Cards will be combined and released together.

The VAHHF Implementation Working Group (IWG) is a key governance group of the VAHHF. The membership consists of the Koori Caucus and key government representatives and is co-chaired by CEO of Aboriginal Housing Victoria and the CEO of Homes Victoria. This group provides strategic direction and have oversight functionalities for the implementation of the VAHHF including the development of an annual work plan.

VAHHF 5-year Implementation Plan

Aboriginal Housing Victoria, through the Victorian Aboriginal Housing and the Homelessness Forum, drafted the 20-year Vision for the Aboriginal Community Housing Sector. The purpose of the 20-year vision is to articulate the role of the sector in implementing the VAHHF and guide the Aboriginal housing sector over a transformative two decades. The Aboriginal community housing sector’s vision outlines the role and aspirations of Aboriginal community housing organisations across Victoria to deliver appropriate housing outcomes and services for its communities over the next 20 years. This approach will be guided by the VAHHF 5-year implementation plan which is currently being developed by the sector. The VAHHF 5-year implementation plan will aim to include growth and capacity building of the Aboriginal community housing sector and the identification of housing specific priorities across government portfolios impacting Aboriginal communities. This approach will be directed through the recommendations of the 2022 Aboriginal Housing and Homelessness Summit.

Aboriginal Housing and Homelessness Data

Homes Victoria have committed to a data sharing approach since May 2023 with the Aboriginal Housing and Homelessness Forum. Victoria’s social housing waitlist data (Victorian Housing Register) and social housing allocations data is provided to the Forum on a quarterly basis as part of this commitment. Homes Victoria has also commenced work on the development of an Aboriginal housing and homeless minimum data set in line with priorities for Aboriginal homelessness system reform.

Aboriginal homelessness system reform – Blueprint for an Aboriginal specific homelessness system in Victoria

In late 2022, following endorsement from the Aboriginal Housing and Homelessness Forum, Homes Victoria provided $478k to Aboriginal Housing Victoria (AHV) to deliver the system stewardship of the Aboriginal-specific homelessness system. AHV continue to lead the co-design activities such as developing the role and function of the Aboriginal steward; and the establishment and co-design of the service model of two Aboriginal-specific homelessness entry points.

The Big Housing Build

Under the Big Housing Build (BHB), 10 per cent of all the net new growth of homes built will be for Aboriginal Victorians. This growth in housing for Aboriginal Victorians will be delivered by a combination of Aboriginal housing organisations and mainstream housing providers.

The BHB has a delivery target of 820 net new social housing dwellings for Aboriginal Victorians. 420 net new social housing dwellings from the Social Housing Growth Fund (SHGF). The remaining 400 homes are those acquired or developed by Homes Victoria and will be placed with Aboriginal housing providers for management.

To date, 61 homes of the 420 dwelling commitment have been contracted under the Social Housing Growth Fund – Homes for Aboriginal Victorians Round (HfAVR) – with further evaluation outcomes pending announcements.

To assist Aboriginal housing providers in the development of their application for grants under the SHFG HfAVR, a targeted resource was created to lead the engagement with Aboriginal housing organizations who wish to participate. This includes project feasibility and funding submissions for new social housing projects during the pre-lodgment phase.

Building the Capacity of the Aboriginal Housing Sector

The Community Housing Sector Development Fund (the Fund) was established in 2020 with $6 million funding. The Fund is part of the total BHB funding envelope.

At least 10 per cent was committed to capacity building for the Aboriginal housing sector. To date, $2,861,172 or 47 per cent of funding has been allocated to projects focussed on building the capacity of the Aboriginal Housing Sector.

The following projects have been funded in 2023/24:

• Supporting Aboriginal Registration project – $850,000 funding to support and increase the number of Aboriginal housing providers. The project aims to support Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) and Traditional Owner Corporations (TOCs) to obtain community housing registration process. This support will be complemented by a grants program to support ACCOs and TOCs.
• Local Government Partnerships Project -$350,000 funding to employ staff and develop a workplan to increase the understanding of the housing needs of Aboriginal people in selected Local Government Areas. The project will look to apply strategies to promote First Peoples housing outcomes, support First Peoples projects, foster connection between councils, ACCOs and TOCs and codify commitments.

• Breaking down barriers for ACCOs to the Big Housing Build - $850,617 funding for a project that aims to support ACCO’s participating in the BHB and increase the number of ACCOs and TOCs seeking to deliver social housing. It aims to build internal business capacity towards developing proposals for the development of land.

Other funded projects in 2022/23 FY include:

• Community partnerships brokerage role – $411,000 funding for a two-year position to broker partnerships between Aboriginal organisations and registered housing providers to directly support the design and development of proposals within the BHB Aboriginal stimulus package works.

Victorian Public Tenancy Association, Aboriginal Advocacy program

Two new Aboriginal advocacy roles were created at the Victorian Public Tenancy Association (VPTA) to provide advice, assistance, and referrals for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tenants. The roles provide advocacy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including those who are homeless, or otherwise in significant distress. The positions are responsible for advocating for the provision of a viable public housing system for those who need it. The advocates will provide Aboriginal tenants with a voice by enabling the VPTA to provide support and feedback to VAHHF Aboriginal Governance Groups.

Aboriginal Private Rental Housing Access

The Commissioner for Residential Tenancies commenced a project with Aboriginal Housing Victoria (AHV) and others to examine discrimination and other access barriers affecting Aboriginal Victorians in the private rental housing market.

The project produced two reports that were officially launched by the Minister for Consumer Affairs in October 2022 and included fourteen recommendations, developed in consultation with Aboriginal housing and homelessness organisations, for further actions to improve Aboriginal access to private rental.

Implementation of the recommendations has progressed during 2023 and will continue through 2024. The implementation is being overseen by an advisory committee comprised of community representatives.

Aboriginal Private Rental Assistance Program

Homes Victoria is working with ACCOs to open doors to private rental housing for Aboriginal Victorians through the Aboriginal Private Rental Assistance Program (APRAP). APRAP is a preventative intervention that provides private rental brokerage and holistic support to households experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The program is intended to prevent or end homelessness and housing crisis by rapidly rehousing people and supporting households to sustain affordable and appropriate housing in the private rental market. Since the program commenced at the end of 2020, over 1,300 households have accessed APRAP.

The APRAP initially served five DFFH regions. APRAP is now funded in: Western Melbourne, Mallee, North-Eastern Melbourne, Loddon, Bayside Peninsula, Inner Gippsland, Brimbank Melton, Goulburn, Outer Gippsland and Barwon.

Aboriginal Corrections Housing Pathways Initiative

The Aboriginal Corrections Housing Pathways Initiative (ACHPI) pilot prevents homelessness for people exiting custodial settings, through initial assessment and planning and case management support to help keep or find suitable housing. An ACHPI worker is being recruited by Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association Limited. DFFH is working with the Aboriginal Housing and Homelessness Forum to determine the second location for delivery. The program will provide an avenue for culturally safe support to Aboriginal people aged 18 years and over, in addition to the mainstream Corrections Housing Pathways Initiative.

Improving Aboriginal Cultural Safety

The 2023 Homes Victoria Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Safety Framework (ATSICSF) aims to increase Homes Victoria’s internal capacity and capability to address systematic barriers to secure and affordable housing for First Peoples. The delivery includes the following activities:

• Homes Victoria Aboriginal Staff Network was established to support and retain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees.
• Inclusion of cultural safety goals in 2023-24 Professional Development Plans – supporting deliverables identified in the ATSICF implementation and delivery plan.
• Senior executive, executive and manager training sessions, targeted at understanding privilege and the importance of empowering Aboriginal communities and sectors to drive housing outcomes for Aboriginal communities.

Aboriginal Public Housing Management Transfer Pilot

The Aboriginal Public Housing Tenancy Management Pilot will see the transfer the tenancy services for Aboriginal renters from the Director of Housing to a registered Aboriginal housing provider, to ensure Aboriginal self-determination and cultural safety. The pilot is in its early infancy of development in partnership with the AHHF.

Building Works Package; Aboriginal maintenance and refurbishment program

The $35 million, Building Works Package - Aboriginal maintenance and refurbishment program is an example of Aboriginal communities taking the lead role in delivering a housing stimulus program on behalf of the Victorian Government. Aboriginal Housing Victoria as the lead agency is delivering the program in partnership with 19 ACCOs. The program will look to deliver over 2000 property upgrades, which includes: 28 new Kids Under Cover modular homes, Aboriginal hostel upgrades, energy efficiency upgrades, major property refurbishments, offering quality housing for Aboriginal Victorians.

Key Investment

• $5.3 billion BHB investment with 10 per cent net of all new social housing allocated for Aboriginal Victorians, which will result in 820 new dwellings. This includes 10 per cent ($1.38 billion) from the Social Housing Growth Fund which includes the Rapid Grants Round, Homes for Aboriginal Victorians Round, Mental Health Round and Regional Round.
• The Victorian Government $496.5 million funding for the Social Housing Accelerator Program, which will provide a 10 per cent of Accelerator funded (78 dwellings) commitment prioritising dwellings to registered Aboriginal housing providers.
• The $1 billion Regional Housing Fund will deliver more than 1300 new homes across regional Victoria. The new homes will include a mix of social and affordable housing. A proportion of the funding commitment will be targeted towards First Peoples housing.
• The Community Housing Sector Development Fund was established in 2020 with $6 million funding. At least 10 per cent was committed to capacity building for the Aboriginal housing sector. To date, $2,861,172 or 47 per cent of funding has been allocated to projects focussed on building the capacity of the Aboriginal Housing Sector.
• $75.3 million to transform services for Victorians experiencing or at risk of homelessness, which includes $7.77m to resource two Aboriginal homelessness access points, one regionally and one metropolitan and the Aboriginal homelessness system stewardship role.
• Part of the $2.7 billion Building Works package announced in May 2020, $528 million has been invested in maintenance, upgrades and new housing including:
  • $5.8 million for Aboriginal Housing Victoria properties as part of the Community Housing Stream.
  • $35 million for upgrades and maintenance of properties for the Aboriginal communities.
  • $3.3 million for the development of a new facility to support Aboriginal men exiting corrections facilities.
  • $4.29 million to develop and deliver 12 new homes which include 2 x 2 bedroom townhouses in Hampton and 10 (2 x 1 bedroom and 8 x 2 bedroom) low-rise apartment in Dandenong.
• $5.1m in 2023-24 to continue the Aboriginal Private Rental Assistance Program.
• $1.16m to support the Victorian Aboriginal Housing and Homelessness Framework (VAHHF) implementation (3 years of continuous funding)
• $350,000 to extend the implementation of the Victorian Public Tenants Association Aboriginal Advocacy Program. Previously, $240,000 has been expenditure to implement a pilot program.
• $400,000 to implement the Aboriginal Public Housing Tenancy Management Transfer Pilot, to test an approach to tenancy management that promotes Aboriginal self-determination and cultural safety.