WA budget flags $45m for Aboriginal-led child protection programs

Western Australia has earmarked close to $45 million to expand two Aboriginal-led child protection initiatives, with the state government saying the investment is aimed at strengthening culturally safe decision-making and reducing the over-representation of First Nations children in out-of-home care.

In a media statement released on 10 April, the Cook Government said the 2026–27 State Budget would include $37.7 million to expand Aboriginal Representative Organisations (AROs) from 2026–27 to 2029–30, alongside $7.2 million to continue Aboriginal Family Led Decision Making (AFLDM) in Mirrabooka and the Mid West-Gascoyne through to 2029–30.

The ARO program was introduced as a pilot under legislative reforms in 2021. The government says AROs empower Aboriginal organisations to lead consultation within child protection decisions, helping to secure culturally appropriate placements and strengthening the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle. The WA statement said an evaluation of the pilot found more than 140 children had received stronger cultural support and improved placement outcomes through ARO engagement since late 2022.

AFLDM is a family decision-making approach delivered by Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations. It is designed to bring families together in Aboriginal-led, culturally safe meetings when child protection concerns are identified, with the aim of keeping children safe at home wherever possible, or supporting reunification. WA officials say the AFLDM pilot has already helped 47 children stay out of care or return home.

The Department of Communities says AFLDM supports self-determination by enabling Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families to make decisions about how to keep children safe and connected to family, culture, Country and community. The department’s AFLDM program information notes that 60 per cent of children in care in Western Australia are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

Child Protection Minister Jessica Stojkovski said the latest funding commitment is intended to build on the state’s 2021 reforms and deepen Aboriginal leadership across the child protection system. Stojkovski said the government was “proud to work in partnership with Aboriginal organisations and leaders to deliver better outcomes”.

National Indigenous Times reported the budget investment as a push to keep children connected to culture and Country, quoting Stojkovski: “We are committed to working alongside Aboriginal organisations and communities to keep children safe, strong and connected to their families and culture” she said.

The WA government says the expanded ARO and AFLDM programs will form part of its broader child protection investment, with the aim of ensuring Aboriginal families and organisations are more central to decisions that shape children’s lives and long-term wellbeing.