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Annual data report

Closing the Gap Annual Data Compilation Report July 2021

Released 29 July 2021

This is the first Annual Data Compilation Report to inform reporting on progress under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. It was released on 29 July 2021.

Foreword

The National Agreement on Closing the Gap (the Agreement) is a significant agreement – having been developed in partnership between Australian governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak organisations, and with its focus on new ways of doing things, through its Priority Reforms, as well as on the outcomes experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The Productivity Commission is pleased to play a role in supporting oversight and accountability of the Agreement, and to provide this first Annual Data Compilation Report to monitor progress under the Agreement.

The Commission would like to acknowledge the valuable contribution to our work to date by the Partnership Working Group that supports the Joint Council on Closing the Gap. As we continue this journey we intend to build on our existing relationships and engage with more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities and governments.

Michael Brennan
Chair

Romlie Mokak
Commissioner

Annual Data Compilation Report July 2021 cover

Closing the Gap: It's not just about the end point, but how we get there

The Productivity Commission today released the first Annual Data Compilation Report. It provides a point-in-time snapshot of measurement under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

“Previous National Agreements focused on monitoring life outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” said Romlie Mokak, Commissioner.

“This Agreement goes further to include monitoring of government actions and how they can influence these outcomes”.

The actions centre around key reforms in shared decision-making, building the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Sector, transforming mainstream government organisations and improving data sharing with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Targets and indicators for the reform areas were agreed in November 2020.

“We don’t yet have data for reporting on these actions. Our initial focus will be on getting the data we need so we can track results,” said Mr Mokak.

“Monitoring of implementation of these reforms will provide transparency and show whether parties to the Agreement have ‘walked the walk’,” said Michael Brennan, Chair of the Productivity Commission.

Data on the targets for the socioeconomic outcomes in the Agreement were released via the Closing the Gap Dashboard in late June 2021. A summary assessment of these data is included in this Report, along with important caveats on interpretation.

“The Agreement is now 12 months old, but the most recent available data for monitoring these socioeconomic outcomes are only just hitting the commencement date for the Agreement,” said Mr Mokak, “It is likely to be some years before we see the influence of this Agreement on these outcomes.”

The Annual Data Compilation Report is available on the Productivity Commission website at www.pc.gov.au/closing-the-gap-data/annual-data-report

Media requests

Media team – 02 6240 3330 / media@pc.gov.au

Background

Catie Bradbear, Assistant Commissioner (A/g) – 02 6240 3320

Closing the Gap Annual Data Compilation Report - July 2021

  • Foreword
  • Summary
     
  • Section 1: About this Report
  • Section 2: Monitoring the implementation of the Priority Reforms
  • Section 3: Monitoring the socioeconomic outcomes
  • Attachment A: Dashboard snapshots and data for download
     
  1. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people enjoy long and healthy lives
  2. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are born healthy and strong
  3. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are engaged in high quality, culturally appropriate early childhood education in their early years
  4. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children thrive in their early years
  5. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students achieve their full learning potential
  6. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students reach their full potential through further education pathways
  7. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth are engaged in employment or education
  8. Strong economic participation and development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities
  9. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people secure appropriate, affordable housing that is aligned with their priorities and need
  10. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults are not overrepresented in the criminal justice system
  11. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people are not overrepresented in the criminal justice system
  12. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are not overrepresented in the child protection system
  13. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and households are safe
  14. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people enjoy high levels of social and emotional wellbeing
  15. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people maintain a distinctive cultural, spiritual, physical and economic relationship with their land and waters
  16. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and languages are strong, supported and flourishing
  17. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have access to information and services enabling participation in informed decision-making regarding their own lives

Socio-economic outcome areas

Printed copies of this report can be purchased from Canprint Communications.

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