Aboriginal communities

Services and support available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

The dark blue connected communities artwork.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices and names of deceased persons.

The NSW Government is committed to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to have a safe and rewarding experience when engaging with government. See below services and products available designed to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities across NSW. 

There is assistance, support and funding available for those affected by recent floods and storms through Service NSW.

Cost of living

The NSW Government provides Cost of living support for Aboriginal families across the state.

A young Aboriginal woman is standing in a clearing. She is wearing a white blouse  and is smiling candidly at the camera.

Apply for the first home owners grant

Buying or building your first home? You may be eligible for a $10,000 grant under the First Home Owner Grant (New Homes) scheme. The scheme is managed by Revenue NSW.

Young Aboriginal woman studying outdoors

Private Rental Assistance

You can apply for assistance to help you set up and maintain a tenancy in the private rental market through Housing Pathways.

Smoking ceremony

Aboriginal grants and funding

Find a government initiative, grant or funding program to help support your business, your project or your community.

Jobs

A range of support services are available to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander citizens find employment and up-skill in their careers. 

Indigenous female in a meeting

Health

Person walking up stairs

Get active and healthy

Eating healthier food and getting active is good for your body and can help reduce your stress. There are specific programs for Aboriginal people that can assist you and your family with what to eat and how to get active.

Alcohol, drugs and cigarettes on a table

Alcohol and drug support

Information to support Aboriginal people in NSW in reducing the harms caused by alcohol and drugs and to help our mob become healthier.

Elders

Elders can access subsidies and vouchers to lower the cost of living and travel

Two women talking and working on a laptop

Fines and legal help

Community engagement

Work and Development Order

The Work and Development Order (WDO) Scheme helps people in NSW clear their fines through completing community work, completing education, receiving financial counselling or undergoing treatment for medical issues.

Out of focus red and blue lights of a Police car

Contact the Aboriginal Legal Service

To deliver quality and culturally appropriate legal services that meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people throughout NSW and the ACT.


Youth and education

Young woman in white top and yellow cardigan seated at desk with book and laptop, colourful wall hanging behind.

Find education scholarships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

The Aurora Education Foundation is an Indigenous organisation that supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to realise their full education and employment potential.

A young Aboriginal woman is standing in a field of large solar panels. It is a sunny day and the woman is wearing an orange hi-vis jersey and a white hard hat.

Find more information about apprenticeships and traineeships

Apprenticeships and traineeships combine formal study with on-the-job training. They're vital to building local business and our future workforce in NSW. Find out what's involved.

Inclusion strategies

At the Department of Customer Service we aim to deliver our support and services to Aboriginal customers, businesses and communities, in culturally safe and respectful ways to ensure full inclusion in social and economic opportunities

Note: This is not a definitive list of services and support available for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ needs and personal circumstances.

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