This Strategic Plan has been developed to guide investment decisions and ensure maximum impact of funding provided by Australian Governments to support the development of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled sector. It has been agreed by the Joint Council on Closing the Gap.

Building strong formal Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled service sectors is a Priority Reform under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap (Priority Reform Two).

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled services can achieve better results, employ more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and are often preferred over mainstream services.

The National Agreement identifies that strong sectors have:

• Sustained capacity building and investment

• A dedicated and identified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce

• Support from a Peak Body (governed by a majority Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Board)

• A dedicated, reliable and consistent funding model.

This Strategic Plan seeks to deliver on the principles and priorities set out in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap (National Agreement).