About
Aboriginal Representative Organisations (AROs) play a vital role in supporting Aboriginal children and young people in care to maintain and strengthen their connections to culture, community, family and Country.
The organisations are recognised by local communities as holding cultural knowledge and are able to provide relevant information and advice to the Department of Communities (Communities) to ensure placement decisions for Aboriginal children in care align with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle.
ARO services are currently delivered in the Armadale District and Kimberley region as part of a pilot program that tested the service model across metropolitan and regional contexts. The pilot was designed to ensure the model is culturally grounded, place-based and responsive to community needs.
Following the pilot, the State Government committed additional resourcing to continue ARO service delivery in Armadale and the Kimberley, allowing the service model to be further developed beyond its initial 12 month trial.
In the 2026 State Budget $37.7 million was committed to fund expansion of the Aboriginal Representative Organisations (ARO) program statewide, delivering on a legislative obligation to empower Aboriginal organisations to lead consultation in support of improved decision-making and cultural outcomes for children and families in contact with the child protection system.
Request for Application
The Children and Community Services Ministerial Body through the Department of Communities invites applications from interested Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) to be approved as AROs to deliver the ARO Program.
The Request for Applications (RFA) for the ARO Program is available via Tenders WA from 23 October 2026 to 11 December 2026.
Request for Application non-mandatory briefing: Wednesday 28 October 2026
Legislative reform
Communities is progressing significant legislative reform through the Children and Community Services Amendment Act 2021 (the Amendment Act) to increase cultural authority and safety for Aboriginal children and families when making a placement arrangement.
On 19 October 2021, the Amendment Act received Royal Assent. The provisions in the Act relating to AROs are yet to be proclaimed. When the relevant provisions of the Amendment Act are proclaimed in July 2027, the Act will require Communities to engage AROs in placement consultations and provide opportunity to participate in the preparation of the cultural support plan for Aboriginal children in care.
ACCO Engagement
Following a Registration of Interest process in April 2026, Communities’ completed Yarning On Country with interested ACCOs and stakeholders statewide. Communities thanks those who engaged with the team to share their wisdom and vision for their region and Community.
ACCO support and strengthening
Communities is committed to supporting ACCOs and strengthening the ACCO sector in line with the ACCO Strategy 2022-2032, guided by the ACCO’s wishes.
Where to get more information
If you have any enquiries about AROs and/or the RFA, please contact: communityservicesprocurement@communities.wa.gov.au
