The toolkit aims to provide local councils in New South Wales (NSW) with information, ideas and examples of what services and functions they provide that align with the aims and objectives of Closing the Gap, contained in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and the Priority Reform areas. 

Local councils are often the closest level of government to Aboriginal communities, particularly in regional and remote areas. This means councils are well positioned to work in partnership with Aboriginal organisations to support local Aboriginal-led Closing the Gap initiatives and deliver benefits to the community.

The toolkit offers practical examples, tools, templates and self-assessment tools for councils to measure to what extent they align with Closing the Gap and where they might like to evolve. It provides case studies from across NSW including Tamworth Regional, Orange City and Inner West Councils.

The toolkit is provided with a self-assessment tool that councils can use to determine their areas of strength and opportunities for improvement in how they work with Aboriginal communities and organisations in their region.