The National Agreement on Closing the Gap (National Agreement) came into effect on 27 July 2020.
Significantly, this is the first National Agreement to be developed in genuine equal partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, through their representatives on the national Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Organisations (Coalition of Peaks).
All parties to the agreement have committed to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people towards a future where policies and programs that impact on their lives are carried out in genuine partnership.
The National Agreement contains:
- Four Priority Reform Areas (Priority Reforms) for transforming how governments work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; and
- 19 Socioeconomic Targets (Targets) to focus efforts to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander outcomes.
A summary of the key components of the National Agreement is found at:
What is in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap?
Knowing we are making a difference
Under the National Agreement, all parties have committed to key reporting and accountability measures to enable transparency to all Australians of how the Priority Reforms and Targets are being embedded into Government policies, strategies, and partnerships.
The two key reporting mechanisms are the Implementation Plan and the Annual Report.
WA Closing the Gap Implementation Plan 2026-2028
To address the findings of the 2024 Productivity Commission Review of the National Agreement, as well as feedback from Aboriginal partners, the WA Closing the Gap 2026-28 Implementation Plan has been developed as a strategic plan in close partnership with Aboriginal partners. This was demonstrated at a workshop in August 2025 which brought together over 60 stakeholders from WA Government agencies, Aboriginal partners and agency Aboriginal Advisory Groups.
The 2026-28 Implementation Plan outlines initiatives the WA Government will undertake with Aboriginal partners to drive delivery of the Priority Reforms, formalise partnerships and deliver place-based outcomes tailored to WA’s unique regions.
The 2026-28 Implementation Plan includes $10.1 million in new funding for five targeted, interlinked initiatives developed with Aboriginal partners to drive action on the Priority Reforms.
WA Closing the Gap 2026-28 Implementation Plan
Previous Closing the Gap Implementation Plans
Since the signing of the National Agreement in 2020, the WA Government has released three Implementation Plans developed in consultation with the Aboriginal Advisory Council WA, the Aboriginal Health Council of WA and, following its establishment, the Council of Aboriginal Services WA. The Implementation Plans align closely with the Aboriginal Empowerment Strategy 2021-2029, which sets the WA Government’s approach for working with Aboriginal people towards empowerment and better outcomes.
The second Implementation Plan, released in 2023, outlined new initiatives and key strategies the WA Government implemented to drive progress towards the Priority Reforms and Targets as outlined in the National Agreement.
CTG 2023-25 Implementation Plan
The WA Government released its first Closing the Gap Implementation Plan in 2021.
Closing the Gap 2025 Annual Report
The WA Government’s Closing the Gap 2025 Annual Report highlights the progress made in WA on implementing the National Agreement on Closing the Gap over the 2024-25 Financial Year. It reports on actions taken to deepen shared decision-making with Aboriginal peak bodies, support the growth of the ACCO sector, improve cultural capability across the WA Government and expand access to data that empowers Aboriginal communities.
It has been developed with a streamlined, data-driven and outcomes-focused approach that consolidates initiatives, reduces duplication and highlights tangible progress to deliver the Priority Reforms and Targets. This approach responds directly to the 2024 Productivity Commission Review of the National Agreement and advice from Aboriginal peak bodies, emphasising the need for clear accountability, strategic direction and improved visibility of the Priority Reforms.
WA Closing the Gap 2025 Annual Report
Previous Closing the Gap Annual Reports
Since signing the National Agreement, the WA Government has released four Closing the Gap Annual Reports. The 2024 Annual Report reported on the progress made in WA to implement the National Agreement between July 2023 and June 2024. It reported on WA’s delivery against actions outlined in the 2023-25 Implementation Plan, noting the outcomes achieved under the Priority Reforms and Targets of the National Agreement.
The Report also included data from the Productivity Commission and highlighted WA’s performance against the Targets where data was available.
The 2023 Annual Report reported on WA’s progress and actions between September 2022 and September 2023. Drawing on the latest data provided by the Productivity Commission, the Annual Report highlighted Western Australia’s progress against the Priority Reforms and Targets under the National Agreement.
The Annual Report was developed in consultation and collaboration with all WA Government agencies, demonstrating the extent to which Closing the Gap is truly everybody’s business, as well as with feedback and input from the Aboriginal Advisory Council of WA, and our Coalition of Peaks partner, the Aboriginal Health Council of WA.
The WA Government released its first Closing the Gap Annual Report in 2022.
Aboriginal Expenditure Review
The Aboriginal Expenditure Review is a commitment under the National Agreement to review and identify the WA Government’s spending on Aboriginal programs and services. This is published on an annual basis by the Department of Treasury and Finance.
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