$44 million for three new regional centres to support Aboriginal families and children

The Minns Labor Government is delivering increased community services for Aboriginal families and children in regional NSW, with three new Aboriginal Child and Family Centres (ACFCs) to be built in the Central Coast and in Western NSW.

Australia - The ACFCs will improve access to early learning and health services, and deliver needs-based and culturally appropriate supports for Aboriginal families and children, such as counselling, playgroups and mums’ programs.

The three successful Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) include:

• Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Services (Central Coast)
• Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation (Broken Hill)
• Maranguka (Bourke)

While designed to provide Aboriginal family services, the ACFCs also operate as

community hubs, providing universal early childhood education and care services for all families.

These new centres are part of the NSW Government’s $100 million ACFC Expansion and Enhancement Program, which aims to provide early support to children and families – to help make crisis interventions rare, brief and not repeated. 

Addressing the overrepresentation of Aboriginal children in out-of-home care (OOHC) is a priority. Currently, nearly 45% of all children in out-of-home-care are Aboriginal, despite being only 3.4% of the state’s population. These new investments in local services empower Aboriginal communities to keep families strong and children safe.

The Program will ultimately see six new ACFCs delivered across the state, with further locations to be announced. Funds will also be used to enhance the nine existing centres and expand service delivery for all new and existing centres, to reach more families.

For more information on ACFCs, see the ACFC Expansion and Enhancement Program page on the Department of Communities and Justice website.

Minister for Families and Communities Kate Washington said:

“The Minns Labor Government is grateful to be partnering with trusted Aboriginal organisations to deliver early education in communities where it's needed most. 

“Our existing Aboriginal Child and Family Centres across the state are strengthening families and changing children's lives, so we're investing in more centres to expand the impact.

"These new centres are going to be delivered by trusted local Aboriginal organisations who have demonstrated their deep commitment to nurturing the next generation, surrounded by culture and connections to community.”

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty and Minister for the Central Coast David Harris said: 

“Aboriginal Child and Family Centres are trusted organisations within Aboriginal communities and are recognised as safe spaces.

“Three new centres will play a vital role helping us Close the Gap by ensuring Aboriginal families receive culturally appropriate services that are tailored to local needs.

“I am proud to be part of a Minns Labor Government that is so committed to improving outcomes for regional Aboriginal communities across the state.”

Secretary of the Department of Communities and Justice Michael Tidball said:

“We are working hand-in-hand with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations to help ensure services are culturally appropriate, targeted and make a meaningful difference to people’s lives.

“The expansion of the Aboriginal Child and Family Centres is a valued partnership which reflects community needs, cultural knowledge and lived experience.

“When Aboriginal voices are at the centre of decision-making for their communities, it leads to 
better outcomes.” 

CEO of Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Services Ltd, Belinda Field, said:

"This Aboriginal Child and Family Centre is not just a building – it is a living, breathing space of culture, learning and care for our gudjagang. It’s a place where our children are surrounded by language, identity and the loving guidance of Aboriginal educators, Elders, and community from the very beginning of their journey. 

“We are proud to be delivering a model that places culture at the centre, supported by early years learning, developmental screening, and wraparound allied health. This is how we create strong foundations for strong futures our way. We are deeply proud and grateful to be part of something that will nurture generations to come on Darkinjung Country."

Maranguka Executive Director & Founder, Alister Ferguson, said: 

“Maranguka are delighted to be awarded the Aboriginal Child and Family Centre for Bourke and will continue to work in collaboration with Bourke and District Children’s Services and the community to deliver the new ACFC, alongside the existing childcare and preschool sites. 

“The addition of the ACFC at the integrated Yanmali site will allow for additional spaces for health and community to work with the early childhood services in a connected and collaborative way. This will continue to improve outcomes for our First Nations community members. 

“All community partners in the Maranguka Early Childhood and Parenting Working Group are delighted by the investment of the NSW Government in furthering the Yanmali Early Childhood development for Bourke.”

Maari Ma CEO, Richard Weston, said:

“Maari Ma is proud to be in partnership with the Department of Communities and Justice in the establishment of a new Aboriginal Child and Family Centre in Broken Hill—a major new initiative launched in our 30th anniversary year.

“The centre will provide a culturally grounded space focused on early childhood education, development and family wellbeing.

“This is a substantial new direction for Maari Ma, and one that goes to the heart of our purpose—supporting the growth and development of Aboriginal children and their families.”