Yes, First Nations people in Australia receive government funding, but it's a complex system involving specific programs (like health, housing, education), grants for organizations, and standard welfare payments (like JobSeeker, Age Pension) that many Indigenous Australians access, similar to the general population, though often at higher rates. This funding supports community-controlled services, infrastructure, cultural initiatives, and individual income support, reflecting commitments under agreements like Closing the Gap, with billions allocated annually for targeted Indigenous initiatives and mainstream services.
Aboriginal Affairs NSW offers regular grants to support Aboriginal people and communities to thrive.
The annual Indigenous budget has almost tripled from 2015 to 2025, growing (in nominal dollars) from roughly $11 billion to more than $32 billion.
The Stolen Generations Reparations Scheme provided ex-gratia payments to Stolen Generations survivors. The reparations aimed to acknowledge historical injustices faced by Stolen Generations survivors. The amount provided to each recipient was $75,000.
This visualisation shows the median weekly equivalised household income for First Nations households in 2021 Australian dollars by state/territory for 2016 and 2021. For First Nations households, Australia: $830 in 2021 and $701 in 2016.
Aboriginal people buying their own home can access government incentives for home buyers that reduce the time it takes to save enough to enter the housing market or that remove some of the costs that can be a barrier to becoming home owners.
Indigenous individuals and corporations are, in general, subject to the same tax rules as all other individuals or entities in Australia. The most important tax is income tax.
Yes, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia are eligible for significant free or subsidised healthcare, primarily through the Medicare system, including free annual health checks (715 checks), support for chronic conditions, mental health services, and cheaper medicines under the Closing the Gap (CTG) program, helping address health disparities. These programs provide access to tailored care, early detection, preventative services, and essential medications.
Indigenous people's unique rights help ensure that their culture continues to exist into the future. This includes their rights to speak and teach their native language and customs, to live on the land of their ancestors, and to look after sacred sites.
The standard three-part test for Aboriginality in Australia requires a person to meet three criteria: descent (biological ancestry), self-identification (identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander), and community acceptance (being recognized as such by their Indigenous community). This definition, adopted by the Commonwealth government, is used for many government programs and services, although the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) uses a simpler two-part test (descent and self-identification) for general data collection.
The $20 million paid for the Aboriginal flag's copyright went to Luritja artist Harold Thomas, the flag's designer, and the license holders, with the Australian Federal Government acquiring the rights in 2022 to make the flag freely available for public use, ending long-standing disputes and licensing issues. The deal also included funding for an Indigenous student scholarship and directing royalties to NAIDOC.
The WA Stolen Generations Redress Scheme is available to Aboriginal people who were removed from their families as children in Western Australia before 1 July 1972. Eligible applicants will receive a payment of $85,000, and, if they wish, a personal acknowledgement.
Claimants Now Receiving Compensation in $23 Billion Federal Settlement on Discrimination of First Nations Child and Family Services Program and Jordan's Principle.
No, standard Centrelink payments (like JobSeeker, Age Pension, etc.) are the same for Aboriginal and non-Indigenous Australians with identical circumstances, but Indigenous Australians have access to specific, targeted programs and extra support, like enhanced child care subsidies and dedicated services, that can provide additional financial or service benefits.
For Centrelink payments and services, you can call our multilingual phone service. To get Age Pension you must be all of the following: 67 years or older. under the income and assets test limits.
The $4,000 Centrelink payment isn't a direct cash payment but a one-time boost to the Work Bonus income bank for eligible pensioners (Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment) over Age Pension age, starting January 1, 2024, with an increased maximum balance of $11,800, allowing them to earn more without reducing their pension. You get this $4,000 starting credit automatically if you're a new claimant or haven't received a previous $4,000 boost, effectively giving you a $4,000 buffer to earn income before Centrelink reduces your pension.
Through the Indigenous Home Ownership Program (IHOP), IBA offers concessional home loans to First Nations people who cannot access mainstream lending. IHOP loans have: low introductory interest rates. low deposit requirements.
The NSW Aboriginal Land Rights Bill was introduced to the NSW Parliament in 1983, and the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 commenced operation on 10 June 1983.
"Aboriginal" and "Indigenous" both refer to the original peoples of a land, but in Australia, Aboriginal specifically refers to the First Peoples excluding Torres Strait Islanders, while Indigenous is a broader, catch-all term for both groups, though some feel it's too general and prefer specific nation names or "Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander". While "Aboriginal" is generally acceptable (capitalized), the outdated and often offensive term is "Aborigine," and using specific clan names (like Noongar or Arrernte) is always best when known.
You can get PBS medicines for a reduced price or for free if you are eligible for the Closing the Gap co-payment (CTG) program. You are eligible for the program if you are: an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person.
Eligible Aboriginal students are entitled to fee-free government subsidised training in priority skill areas, up to and including certificate III, with approved training providers. Subsidised training is also available for higher qualification levels.
From 5 January 2026, families can now get 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight for each Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children in their care, regardless of their level of recognised participation. The government pays child care services, who pass the subsidy on to you as cheaper fees.
Generally, Aboriginal people cannot claim your privately owned land (freehold title) or land needed for public purposes, but they can make land claims over certain types of Crown land (government-owned), like vacant or unallocated areas, if they prove a traditional connection. Claims focus on Crown land not being used, needed for public use, or already subject to Native Title, and successful claims can result in freehold title being granted to Aboriginal Land Councils.
A tenant or tenants of Department of Housing and Aboriginal Housing can receive a full Stamp Duty Exemption from NSW Revenue, regardless of the properties purchase price, in accordance with Section 278 of the Duties Act 1997 (“Exemption under 278”).
Your income and the tax-free threshold
Payers include employers, government agencies, or work you do as a sole trader. You can choose to claim or not claim the tax-free threshold ($18,200) on the income you earn. If you claim the tax-free threshold: you won't pay tax where your income is $18,200 or less.