Family Matters: Allies for Children backs support for greater investment in community-led solutions for First Nations children
10 December 2025
Allies for Children celebrates the release of the 2025 Family Matters Report by SNAICC – National Voice for our Children, which offers powerful insights into how First Nations-led support can ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children grow up connected to culture and family.
Since its inception in 2016, the Family Matters Report has been shining a light on community-born solutions that make a substantial difference in addressing the ongoing injustice that sees Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children separated from family and culture at far higher rates than other children.
The report also identifies opportunities for meaningful change.
The 2025 report, released today by SNAICC, the national peak body representing First Nations children, reaffirms the need for greater investment in early, culturally safe support which strengthens families to change the current trajectory of Closing the Gap targets.
While Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are 9.6 per cent more likely to be in foster care arrangements and make up 45 per cent of all children in out-of-home care in Australia, the report shows the organisations best placed to keep them safe receive just six per cent of the funding.
This year’s Family Matters Report, called Strong, Loved and Full of Potential, shows the incredible opportunity we have to invest in community-led solutions that strengthen and empower families, instead of disadvantaging them.
Prevention takes investment, and Allies for Children stands with SNAICC in calling for early intervention and First Nations-led family support programs that help keep children safe at home - in culture and community - to be prioritised over punitive approaches.
Closing the Gap targets will only be met when we listen, when we act, and when we commit to approaches led by First Nations voices.
The evidence presented in the Family Matters report demonstrates how self-determination and leadership can help towards meeting the Closing the Gap targets and change outcomes for our First Nations children, families, and communities.
Allies for Children have collectively pledged to transition Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children in our care to Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and we remain committed working with SNAICC to ensure every child is safe, happy and healthy.
