A Better, Safer Future for Central Australia

The Australian Government is working with communities to deliver the plan for A Better, Safer Future for Central Australia (Central Australia Plan). This infographic shows a timeline of the funding rollout and allocation under the Central Australia Plan. 

Announced in early 2023, the Central Australia Plan is a four-year plan implemented in partnership with the Northern Territory Government, local governments, organisations and communities.

By listening to locals, Aboriginal Elders and community organisations, the Australian Government is making investments in programs and services that will improve the lives of First Nations people and help to Close The Gap. 

Because of the Australian Government’s landmark package for Central Australia, communities in the region have already seen:

• Improved access to preventative health services for children and families with early intervention, FASD and Autism diagnosis and support
• Increased funding for every school in Central Australia, so that we can get more kids to school and keep them there
• Increased funding for police, domestic violence services and youth services
• Better health infrastructure, such as the Todd Street Health hub in Alice Springs
• More emergency accommodation and safe spaces for women and young people.

Delivering for Communities

The Australian and Northern Territory Governments are working with the Central Australian community to deliver programs and initiatives that improve the lives of First Nations people throughout the region.

Through the Central Australia Plan, we are delivering investment in programs and services that improve lives in Central Australia across six key areas:

1. Improved community safety and cohesion – through more youth engagement and diversion programs
2. Job creation – particularly in the communities that surround Alice Springs – including urgent changes as part of replacing the failed Community Development Program (CDP)
3. Better services – by improving health services in surrounding communities, there will be less pressure on Alice Springs
4. Preventing and addressing the issues caused by Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders – including better responding through the health and justice systems
5. Investing in families – including by better supporting Elders and parents, boosting domestic violence services
6. On country learning – improving school attendance and completion through caring for culture and country.

Our Central Australia Plan is a four-year plan to drive long-term improvements to people’s lives across communities. Already, the Government has:

• Established the Central Australia Plan Aboriginal Leadership Group to provide independent advice on the A Better, Safer Future for Central Australia Plan
• Increased funding for police, domestic violence services and youth services 
• Delivered Traditional Owner community night patrols in Alice Springs
• Improved access to preventative health services for children and families with early intervention, FASD and Autism diagnosis and support
• Increased funding for every school in Central Australia, getting more kids to school and keeping them there. Learn more about the On Country Learning Measure: Central Australian Schools Action Plans
• Upgraded Wi-Fi in four Town Camps
• Funded the construction of 20 beds to provide safe short-term accommodation in Alice Springs
• Improved lighting and safety measures at community spaces across Alice Springs
• Better health infrastructure, such as the Todd Street Health hub 
• Funded Youth diversion and early intervention support services for First-Nations youth to address underlying drivers of anti-social behaviour, including a Mobile Youth Hub for Town Camps
• Increased family and domestic violence support services in Alice Springs and surrounding areas, including funding services that address the impacts of violence
• Improved funding for community infrastructure in remote communities
• Started work to establish the first junior ranger programs in the Central Australia region.

But we know that there’s more to do, so the Australian Government is continuing to listen to communities on what more can be done to build a better, safer future for Central Australia.

Listening to Communities

Listening to communities is an important part of how the Australian Government is delivering the Central Australia Plan.

With communities at the centre of our approach, we’re working with communities, leaders and organisations and across all levels of government to progress initiatives under the Central Australia Plan.

Central Australia Plan Aboriginal Leadership Group

The Central Australia Plan Aboriginal Leadership Group (ALG) was established in June 2023 and has met monthly to provide ongoing advice to the Australian Government on implementation of the $250 million plan for A Better, Safer Future for Central Australia including allocation of the Plan’s remaining $94.1 million. In mid-2024, the ALG was extended until June 2025.

Since its establishment the ALG has provided strategic advice for assessing eligible projects for community infrastructure and how the remaining funding could support the needs of remote Central Australian communities.

This has led to the investment of $60 million for the:

• Remote Training Hubs Network ($30 million)
• Strengthening Families and Communities Partnership to support community-led training and family safety initiatives in remote communities ($30 million).

The ALG continues to provide advice on the design and implementation of these initiatives, and monitor other investments under the Plan, including community infrastructure, digital connectivity and on-Country learning.

In considering its advice on the investment and implementation the ALG has been supported by a series of discussions with the Commonwealth and Northern Territory governments and service providers on existing policy, programs and data.