More than one-third of Australia’s 631,757 Aboriginal people live in NSW, making our state home to the largest Aboriginal population of any state or territory in Australia.

These 225,349 First Australians have an enormous cultural, social and economic contribution to make, and a vital first step in unlocking this potential is for councils to work to achieve reconciliation with Aboriginal Australians.

This website, developed by Local Government NSW in partnership with the Office of Local Government, is designed to support the inclusion of Aboriginal communities in council decision-making, service development and delivery.

For councils

Councils can use Collaborate NSW to help create common ground and strengthen productive partnerships with Aboriginal people and communities.

An understanding of local Aboriginal culture and ways of doing business is critical for councils committed to involving Aboriginal communities in decision-making and service development and delivery.

This knowledge will help councils promote the cultural and economic development of Aboriginal people, and access the potential contribution of Aboriginal people to the development of sustainable local communities.