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.
Currently ARO services are provided in two regions in Western Australia:
- Armadale region by Yorganop Association
- Kimberley region by Aarnja Ltd
The two regions were identified as part of a pilot program to test the service model across metropolitan and regional contexts and ensure it is culturally grounded, place based and responsive to community needs.
Following the pilot, the State Government committed $1.3 million to continue ARO service delivery in Armadale and the Kimberley, allowing the service model to be further developed beyond its initial 12 month trial.
On 9 May 2024, Communities received confirmation of an additional $2.85 million over the next two financial years to continue and strengthen ARO services in both regions.
In 2026 the State Budget will include $37.7 million to fund expansion of the Aboriginal Representative Organisations (ARO) program for a further four years, 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.
View the Ministerial media statement.
Legislative reform and ARO program expansion
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, 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 the care of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Department.
The Registration of Interest (ROI) process
The ROI is now open on Tenders WA to all ACCOs across Western Australia and will close on 24th April 2026.
The purpose of the ROI process is to engage with ACCOs to:
- understand which ACCOs may be interested in delivering the ARO program
- define what is required by ACCOs to deliver the ARO program in each region according to regional priorities
- gather insights about the readiness of ACCOs to deliver these programs across all regions in Western Australia
- use the information to inform the procurement pathway for each region.
The lodgement process involves entering the ACCO’s details and then completing a list of questions.
The task should take no longer than 15 minutes to complete.
Please note that submitting an ROI is not a guarantee or representation of any kind that the Department of Communities will procure an ACCO which registers interest in delivery of the ARO program.
Tenders WA | Display Tender DOC202533023
ACCO support and strengthening
Communities is committed to supporting ACCOs and strengthening the ACCO sector in line with the ACCO Strategy 2022-2032.
Information about specific support to be made available to respondents interested in providing the ARO program will be provided as part of future procurement processes.
Where to get more information
If you have any enquiries about this ROI process, please contact:
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