Creating Economic Justice and Fairness
Learn more about our commitment to building thriving communities.
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Our Goal
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander recognition and justice.
Walking with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Communities
Anglicare WA acknowledges Aboriginal Peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which our services operate and as holders of the world’s oldest continuing living cultures. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and honour Aboriginal Peoples’ enduring connection to Country, as well as their strength, cultural resilience, and sophisticated knowledge systems.
Anglicare WA has a long history of working closely with Aboriginal Peoples, as clients, advisors and partners in social change. We are proud of our history and of the support we provide to approximately 7,000 Aboriginal Peoples across the State each year. We also recognise that our organisation, just like our community and our country, still has a lot further to go.
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The Barriers
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples continue to demonstrate resilience, leadership, and deep cultural knowledge despite enduring structural barriers shaped by the legacy of colonisation.
Within governments and institutions, these barriers limit equitable participation and constrain opportunities for Aboriginal Peoples for self-determination.
Addressing these systemic barriers presents a significant opportunity to improve social, cultural, and economic outcomes by strengthening inclusive decision-making, embedding cultural intelligence in policy development, and upholding the right to self-determination through genuine partnership with communities.
Note about terminology: We use the term ‘Aboriginal’ to refer to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
Negative Impacts
Note: These statistics may fluctuate based on recent reports released. Sources can be found further down the page.
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Life expectancy is 8-9 years lower for Aboriginal Australians than non-Aboriginal Australians¹
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Aboriginal people represent 3.8% of the population, yet make up 37% of people incarcerated²
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In WA, Aboriginal children are over 20 times more likely to be placed in out-of-home care³
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Aboriginal women are 34 times more likely to be hospitalised due to family violence⁴
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In 2023, suicide accounted for 5.2% of all deaths among Aboriginal people⁵
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Aboriginal unemployment is over 4 times higher than non-Aboriginal unemployment⁶
Overcoming Barriers
We’re listening to Aboriginal communities about what works. We’re calling on the Federal and State Government to get behind the following:
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Principles
- Correct recorded history to reflect truth and acknowledge harm.
- Listen deeply to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples when forming policy, legislation and services.
- Heal and commit so everybody can thrive.
- Value and respect Culture by celebrating the richness, wisdom, and generosity that has been offered by Aboriginal communities.
Action
- Establish a Truth and Justice Commission.
- Provide sustained funding and culturally appropriate services that are place-based and community-led.
- Undertake mutual capacity building and knowledge sharing.
- Set the minimum age of criminal responsibility to at least 14 years old in all states and territories.
- Close Unit 18 and invest in a whole-of-government Youth Justice Strategy.
Sources
1. Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2023). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander life expectancy.
2. Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2025). Prisoners in Australia.
3. Human Rights Watch. (2025). Australia: Disproportionate Removal of Aboriginal Children.
4. Australian Government. (2023). First Nations‑led data research on family, domestic and sexual violence [Media release]. Ministers for the Department of Social Services.
5. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (n.d.). Suicide and intentional self-harm hospitalisations among First Nations people.
6. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2025). Employment of First Nations people.
Join Us
Join us in advocating for a fairer, more just Western Australia.
When you add your voice to ours, we become stronger, louder, and better equipped to drive the systemic change our communities deserve.
Together, we can create a future where everyone can thrive.
Other Advocacy Priorities
Through our advocacy, we are committed to creating economic justice and fairness, ensuring everyone has a home, seeking freedom from family and domestic violence and abuse, and supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander recognition and justice recognition and justice through the principles of truth-telling, listening, healing, and valuing Culture.
