We aim to embed First Nations voices in all areas of our work.
We plan to achieve this through policy frameworks, engaging with First Nations experts, communities, and agri-businesses, and the delivery and funding of programs and projects.
Our First Nations Commitment
Our First Nations Commitment reflects the aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries.
It states:
We commit to empowering First Nations economic self-determination across Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries. We will do this by working in partnership with First Nations stakeholders and elevating First Nations voices in the sector through ongoing engagement. We acknowledge that First Nations Australians hold an unceded connection with the land, waters and seas of this country and hold aspirations for more sustainable, productive and profitable land- and sea-based economies.
We commit to supporting First Nations agribusiness ownership and employment, encouraging the use of Indigenous knowledge and activating the economic value of land and sea resource rights to enhance the productivity, resilience, innovation and sustainability of the Australian food and fibre supply chain. We also commit to strengthening the crucial role of Indigenous Ranger groups in Australia’s biosecurity protection and expanding pathways for First Nations food and fibre exporters to international markets.
We commit to embedding the priority reforms and supporting the achievement of outcomes under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. We will do this by working across all levels of government and cultivating accountable partnerships with First Nations Australians. Our commitment to First Nations Australians underpins our efforts to uplift our First Nations policy and engagement capability, and drive reform in our policy development and program delivery.
Our First Nations Commitment is featured in the department’s Statement of Strategic Intent, which outlines our strategic goals and vision, looking towards and beyond 2030.
National Statement on First Nations in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
All Australian agriculture ministers have agreed to the delivery of a joint National Statement on First Nations in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to increase the meaningful involvement of First Nations peoples in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors.
The National Statement is an ambitious commitment, driven by the principles of First Nations self-determination. It will aim to advance First Nations perspectives, experiences and interests in the drive for greater Indigenous economic inclusion.
The National Statement is being developed by a joint taskforce of Commonwealth, state and territory agriculture officers, and will be delivered to all agriculture ministers for endorsement through the Agriculture Ministers Meeting in early 2025.
We are building genuine and trusted partnerships with First Nations stakeholders to progress this work. National consultation on the National Statement began in May 2024 and is ongoing.
See more on the National Statement on First Nations in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Current projects and initiatives
Indigenous Ranger Biosecurity Program
This program grows our biosecurity capability in northern Australia and creates economic opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Future Drought Fund
A new pilot program to facilitate place-based and First Nations-led activities. Including funding to improve participation of First Nations peoples in drought and climate resilience activities.
Djandak Dja Kunditja
A project to increase grain yield and overall resilience of cropping systems. A grant was provided via the Accelerate Adoption of Wood Processing Innovation Program.
Indigenous Agricultural Product Framework
An evidence-based credential for Indigenous agricultural products to help First Nations agriculture businesses and communities benefit from domestic and export sales.
Export Readiness Pilot for First Nations Agriculture
A pilot project to uplift the export readiness for a First Nations business, Noongar Land Enterprises.
First Nations Environmental Biosecurity
We focus on stronger partnerships with First Nations organisations, to ensure effective delivery of environmental biosecurity programs.
Climate Smart Agriculture Program
Includes a grant program for projects led by community, Landcare, and First Nations groups to improve management of natural resources and increase on-farm productivity.
National Indigenous Forestry Strategy
A key aim of the strategy is to encourage Indigenous participation in the forest industry.
National Fisheries Plan
Includes priorities and targets to support and enable First Nations people to participate in fisheries management and fisheries-related businesses.
Whole-of-government policy links
The Productivity Commission’s review of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap shows that fundamental change is required to the way governments do business with First Nations peoples.
We are prioritising the implementation of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap Priority Reforms through our policy development.
We aim to develop policy and programs that facilitate Indigenous economic self-determination, meaning we can generate more opportunities for First Nations people, communities and businesses to thrive on their own terms.
We provided a submission to the Inquiry into economic self-determination by the Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs.