This report, which tracks Australia’s performance towards the targets and indicators in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, shows mixed progress, with 4 of 19 targets on track to be met.

The report presents a new year of data for 10 socio-economic targets and 26 supporting indicators, plus 16 supporting indicators reported for the first time. It also includes a piece by Dr Scott Avery showing how the stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can be told with the respectful use of data.

Of the nine socio-economic targets with an updated assessment of progress, the assessment has changed for only one: healthy birthweight (Target 2). 89.2% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies born were of a healthy birthweight and this target is assessed as showing improvement but not on track to be met.

The report takes a closer look at the outcomes and experiences of different population groups, including young people, people with disability and people living in remote areas.

The progress picture for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is mixed. For instance, while the target for preschool enrolment rates is on track to be met, a lower proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children have been assessed as developmentally on track based on the Australian Early Development Census.

Key findings

• Outcomes are continuing to worsen in four targets: adult imprisonment (Target 10); children in out-of-home care (Target 12); suicide (Target 14); and children developmentally on track (in all five domains of the Australian Early Development Census) (Target 4).
• Outcomes are improving but targets are not on track to be met in six targets: life expectancy (Target 1); healthy birthweights (Target 2); year 12 or equivalent qualifications (Target 5); tertiary qualifications (Target 6); youth engagement (Target 7); and appropriately sized housing (Target 9A).
• Outcomes are improving and targets are on track to be met in four targets: preschool program enrolments (Target 3); employment (Target 8); and land mass and sea country subject to legal rights and interests (Targets 15A and 15B).
• Outcomes for one target are assessed as having no change from the baseline year: youth justice (Target 11).