Regional Aboriginal Partnerships Program

Supporting and empowering regional Aboriginal communities.

Regional Aboriginal Partnership Program design

The NSW Government’s Regional Aboriginal Partnerships Program (RAPP) improves social and economic outcomes for Aboriginal communities across regional NSW.

The RAPP works to address the Closing the Gap Priority Reform Five – Employment, Business Growth, and Economic Prosperity.

The program empowers Aboriginal people within NSW to access pathways through education, training, employment and business support to reach their aspirations.

The RAPP program builds on strong cultural connections to achieve positive economic, social, cultural, and emotional outcomes and establish focused partnerships with Aboriginal youth, schools, and businesses to support more meaningful and stable employment outcomes.

There are 16 Aboriginal Partnership Managers (APMs) based across regional NSW who deliver the RAPP. The Deputy Director of the RAPP, Andrew Higgins, oversees the program and its statewide initiatives that impact multiple communities and businesses. The RAPP team live in community, are connected to Country, and work with their local community to co-design programs and initiatives that will suit each region’s needs and aspirations.

Aboriginal organisations and businesses can contact their local APM (see contact details below) to discuss their goals and pathways that may assist them.

Contact an Aboriginal Partnership Manager

Aboriginal Partnership Managers (APMs) bring an Aboriginal cultural lens and process when working with Aboriginal businesses, organisations, and communities in regional NSW as part of the RAPP.

APMs partner with Aboriginal organisations and businesses and help them identify and achieve their goals by:

  • providing information and referrals to support services
  • connecting them with government staff
  • proactively seeking opportunities to build relationships within community
  • exploring opportunities to successfully apply for funding.

Connect with your local Aboriginal Partnership Manager to find out more about the support available to Aboriginal organisations and businesses.

North Coast

Hunter Central Coast

Illawarra Shoalhaven

South East

Riverina Murray

Central West

Orana Far West

For information on this region, please contact: 

New England North West

Deputy Director Aboriginal Partnerships (state-wide)

Successful grant recipients

Regional Aboriginal Partnerships Program grant recipients (XLSX 38.72KB).

The Department of Regional NSW is committed to making a positive difference for Aboriginal people in regional NSW and embedding Aboriginal inclusion in everything we do. Discover more about DRNSW’s Aboriginal Outcomes Strategy here.

On this page

Acknowledgement of Country

The Department of Regional New South Wales acknowledges that it stands on Country which always was and always will be Aboriginal land. We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land and waters, and we show our respect for Elders past and present.

We are committed to providing places in which Aboriginal people are included socially, culturally and economically through thoughtful and collaborative approaches to our work.

Top of page