First Peoples in Victoria are strong and self-determining — progress

This objective focuses on improving outcomes and services for First Peoples through prioritising actions to enable self-determination, including advancing Treaty, protecting and promoting cultural rights, recognising land and native title rights, and supporting ongoing monitoring and implementation of Yoorrook Justice Commission recommendations. It provides culturally safe systems and services and transfers power and resources to communities. It also focuses on delivering Victoria’s Treaty process through the implementation of the first Statewide Treaty, including the establishment of Gellung Warl, and preparing for Traditional Owner and ongoing Statewide Treaties.

Key intiatives

In 2025–26, DPC delivered the following key initiatives in support of the departmental objective that FirstPeoples in Victoria are Strong and Self-determining.

Output: Self-determination policy and reform advice and programs

Support strong policy outcomes for First Peoples that promote self-determination and address injustice, by driving whole-of- government policy and reform in the First Peoples portfolio

In 2025–26, DPC funded and worked closely with Ngaweeyan Maar-oo, the Koorie Caucus of the Closing the Gap Partnership Forum (Partnership Forum), to action key commitments under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. These included funding 10 Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation-led sector strengthening projects developed by Ngaweeyan Maar-oo and its member organisations.

Coordinate implementation across government of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, including supporting the Partnership Forum on Closing the Gap as the Victorian Government’s formal shared decision-making forum

In partnership with Ngaweeyan Maar-oo, the Koorie Caucus of the Partnership Forum on Closing the Gap, DPC has continued to support the Partnership Forum as the Victorian Government’s formal shared decision-making forum for delivering commitments under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. This included supporting four meetings of the Partnership Forum in 2025–26.

In 2025–26, DPC continued working with Ngaweeyan Maar-oo to develop Victoria’s new Closing the Gap Implementation Plan, due for release in 2026. The plan outlines coordinated, whole-of-government actions over the next five years to drive progress on Closing the Gap.

Advance Aboriginal self-determination and improved outcomes in line with commitments made by the Victorian Government

In 2025–26, DPC delivered the Victorian Government Aboriginal Affairs Report 2025 which was tabled in Parliament on 18 June 2026. The Report tracks the Government’s progress against commitments under the Victorian Aboriginal Affairs Framework (the Framework), the Self-Determination Reform Framework and the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. The Report demonstrates that performance against the Framework’s 111 measures is varied. Compared to the last reporting period, 24 measures improved, 26 worsened and 8 were stable. There were 30 measures that did not have updated data available, and 23 were unable to be categorised (for example, because the measure is descriptive). Over the longer term, 30 measures have improved, 19 have worsened and 7 remain stable. Thirty-one measures did not have data available and 24 were unable to be categorised.

Support strong policy outcomes for Traditional Owners that promote self-determination and advance Traditional Owner rights

In 2025–26, DPC led work towards implementing recommendations from the First Principles Review of the Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010 (TOS Act). DPC engaged with the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, consulted with Traditional Owner groups and updated the State’s TOS Act agreement templates, to advance Traditional Owner rights.

Support non-formally recognised Traditional Owner groups to access the independent legal and research services required to gain recognition and activate rights

In 2025–26, DPC continued to fund the First Nations Legal and Research Services (FNLRS) to work with Traditional Owners to achieve legal recognition and prepare for Treaty negotiations.

FNLRS supported Traditional Owners in four areas of Victoria without any legal recognition – mid north-west, central north, northeast and far east Gippsland.

Key activities throughout this period included FNLRS:

• organising numerous meetings and materials to strengthen Traditional Owner groups’ knowledge base and empower their decision-making about Country, culture and community
• producing research reports to inform strong collective identity and connection to culture, with a particular focus on preparing reports needed for native title applications
• providing legal advice and other logistical support, to help advance native title processes
• delivering Treaty-related engagement, communication, and administrative-support activities, consistent with a role FNLRS agreed with Treaty Authority, Self-Determination Fund, and First Peoples Assembly of Victoria.

Support the Minister for First Peoples to respond to native-title claims made in the Federal Court of Australia

In 2025–26, the State of Victoria was the first respondent to the following native title determination applications in the Federal Court:

• Barapa Barapa peoples #1 and #2
• Boonwurrung people
• Carl Rowan
• Dhudhuroa, Waywurru, and Ngurai Illum people
• Eastern Maar/Gunditjmara people (Area C)
• First Peoples of the Millewa-Mallee
• Mid North West Nations
• Taungurung people
• Wamba Wemba people
• Wadawurrung people
• Wuwundjeri Woi-wurrung people.

The First Peoples of the Millewa-Mallee claim was determined by consent on 18 July 2025, with the Federal Court recognising that the First Peoples of the Millewa-Mallee hold native title over Crown land and waters in the north-western corner of Victoria along and south of the Murray River.

This determination was the first time the Federal Court had recognised native title along the Murray River in Victoria and also the first recognition of exclusive possession native title rights in Victoria. The First Peoples of the Millewa-Mallee determination brings Victoria in line with other Australian jurisdictions in recognising exclusive possession native title rights, the highest form of native title recognition available under the Native Title Act.

Recognition and Settlement Agreements (RSAs) under the TOS Act seek to formally acknowledge the rights of Traditional Owners and to establish a framework for the settlement of claims outside of the court system

In 2025–26, DPC continued to implement four existing RSAs with Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung, Gunaikurnai, and the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia, and Jupagulk Peoples.

In 2025–26, DPC supported the Government to:

• reach agreement with the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia, and Jupagulk People on an expanded RSA settlement agreement, including a Land Use Activity Agreement
• reach agreement with the Gunaikurnai People on an expanded RSA settlement agreement, including a Natural Resource Agreement
• continue negotiations for new or revised RSAs with Dja Dja Wurrung, Eastern Maar, Gunditjmara and Taungurung peoples.

Lead the whole-of-government response to the Yoorrook Justice Commission (Commission), Australia’s first formal truth-telling inquiry into historical and ongoing injustices experienced by First Peoples in Victoria since colonisation

In 2025–26, DPC continued to play a central role in coordinating the whole-of-government response to the Commission. The Commission concluded in June 2025 with the delivery of its final interim report, Yoorrook for Transformation, and final report and official public record, Yoorrook: Truth be Told. DPC continued to support the State’s commitment to truth-telling by:

• Coordinating whole-of-government consideration and action in response to the Commission’s final reports and recommendations.
• Supporting community engagement with the Commission’s final report and official public record, Yoorrook: Truth Be Told. The Victorian Government funded the distribution of more than 250 printed copies to libraries across the state, and over 130 copies to the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and Traditional Owner groups.

Support self-governance and self determination at the Lake Tyers and Framlingham Aboriginal Trusts

In 2025–26, DPC continued to administer the Aboriginal Lands Act 1970 on behalf of the Minister for First Peoples, which regulates and administers the Framlingham and Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trusts.

DPC supported the Trusts to strengthen their governance arrangements and shareholding systems and, in doing so, meet the new standards introduced through implementation of the Phase One recommendations of the 2021 Independent Review. In addition, DPC engaged with Trust shareholders on Phase Two recommendations, which focus on further enhancing governance arrangements.

In 2025–26, DPC oversaw funding agreements to enable the Trusts to provide services to shareholders and residents and to meet statutory obligations under the Aboriginal Lands Act 1970. The agreements supported the delivery of municipal and essential services for the Trusts’ residents, including access to clean drinking water, maintenance of roads, bushfire management, and waste management.

DPC also oversaw a project to replace the Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust’s jetty. The jetty is critical emergency services infrastructure in a highly bushfire prone area. The new jetty also supports greater access to Lake Tyers, enabling cultural and ecological monitoring to be carried out. At the Framlingham Aboriginal Trust, DPC oversaw a project to deliver critical wastewater and stormwater infrastructure upgrades, which is nearing completion.

Lead Treaty negotiations on behalf of the State of Victoria in line with Treaty legislation and the Treaty Negotiation Framework

In 2025–26, DPC continued to lead Statewide Treaty negotiations on behalf of the State of Victoria with the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria Ltd (Assembly). Negotiations in 2025 focused on delivery of a Statewide Treaty Bill to evolve the Assembly Ltd into an ongoing representative body for First Peoples. The Statewide Treaty Bill was introduced into the Victorian Parliament on 9 September 2025 and passed both Houses of Parliament on 30 October.

The Statewide Treaty Act 2025 was given Royal Assent on 13 November 2025. The Statewide Treaty was signed by the Victorian Government and the Assembly on the same day.

On 12 December 2025, DPC supported delivery of ‘Victoria's Treaty: It's Here’, a ceremonial signing and public event at John Cain Arena to celebrate the commencement of the Statewide Treaty.

The Statewide Treaty signals a new relationship between the Victorian Government and First Peoples, based on respect, trust and integrity.

Represent the State in Traditional Owner Treaty negotiations with First Peoples’ Treaty Delegations. Delegations comprise all Traditional Owners seeking to negotiate a Treaty over the area of land and waters identified

Under the Treaty Negotiation Framework, Victoria’s Treaty process includes both an overarching Statewide Treaty and Traditional Owner Treaties. In 2025–26, six Traditional Owner Groups have been registered on the Treaty Authority’s Negotiations Register and four have progressed to the second stage of notifying their intent to form a First Peoples’ Treaty Delegation.

In response to these entries onto the Negotiations Register and in accordance with clause 13.1(a) of the Treaty Negotiation Framework, DPC is leading work on behalf of the State to commence early preparations towards complying with Minimum Standards required to enter into Traditional Owner Treaty negotiations. Accordingly, DPC is working to notify the relevant government departments and bodies as these notifications from the Treaty Authority are received.

Lead whole-of-government engagement to ensure a coordinated and focused approach to Statewide and Traditional Owner Treaties

Throughout Statewide Treaty negotiations, DPC led a coordinated whole-of-government approach, includingclear governance structures and authorisation pathways to ensure Treaty negotiations could progress efficiently, and all parts of the government were engaged to respond to Treaty negotiations.

In the second half of 2025–26 as the focus has shifted to Statewide Treaty implementation,DPC has continued to lead coordination across government, working with Victorian Government departments and Victoria Police to ensure policies and reform proposals align with Treaty, and support early engagement with the First Peoples’ Assembly of Gellung Warl.

Support, monitor and report on the implementation of Treaties post-agreement

In 2025–26, initial work by DPC following the passage of the Statewide Treaty Act 2025 has focused on establishing the processes, systems and guidance required to support the implementation of Statewide Treaty commitments and new obligations in the legislation. This includes:

• supporting the Assembly as they operationalise Gellung Warl from 1 May 2026
• processes to support the tabling of Statements of Treaty Compatibility from 1 May 2026
• supporting Gellung Warl to establish a new First Peoples Infrastructure Fund from 1 July 2026
• supporting the transition of the State’s program of First Peoples’ events to be delivered by Gellung Warl from 1 July 2026
• supporting the relevant Victorian government departments to prepare for the implementation of Immediate Statewide Treaty Reforms, in line with Schedule B of the Statewide Treaty.

On 9 December 2025, DPC supported former Premier Allan to deliver a formal apology to First Peoples in the Victorian Parliament, acquitting a commitment in the Statewide Treaty and a recommendation of the Yoorrook Justice Commission.

Support the Minister for First Peoples to inform the Victorian public about the Treaty process

DPC continues to lead the Victorian Government’s public communications and engagement on Treaty to ensure Victorians have access to up-to-date and accurate information on Treaty. This includes public communications, online resources, and engagement with local councils, community, and industry.

In 2025–26, DPC:

• supported the release of three Joint Statements and other media releases to keep the Victorian public informed on the progress of Treaty negotiations
• continued to deliver its program of information sessions about the Treaty process with local government, community and business leaders, including in Bendigo, Swan Hill, Ballarat, Ringwood and Metropolitan Melbourne partnering with Reconciliation Victoria, and online with the Victorian Farmers Federation and the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• maintained the Treaty Victoria website as a central source of information on Victoria Treaty process and negotiations.

Build understanding of Treaty across the Victorian Public Service through a Treaty Education Program

DPC’s Treaty Education Program is aimed at enhancing Treaty literacy across the Victorian public service. As of June 2026, DPC has supported 580 employees of the VPS to undertake at least one of the Understanding Treaty micro-credentials delivered by the University of Melbourne.

Throughout 2025–26,DPC’sTreaty Education program has been updated to reflect the newVictorian Treaty context, including a suite of learning opportunities tailored to different levels of experience and responsibility. Participants have reported increased confidence in engaging with Treaty-related work and a stronger understanding of how Treaty intersects with their roles.

Recognise the achievements of Aboriginal Victorians and celebrate the diversity of Aboriginal culture in Victoria through Aboriginal cultural events and awards

The First Nations cultural events and awards program celebrates the achievements and honours the sacrifices of First Nations people; promotes and celebrates examples of excellence among First Nations communities; provides practical and meaningful opportunities for First Nations communities, the broader Victorian community and the Victorian Government to recognise and celebrate First Nations cultures and histories in Victoria; and strengthens the Victorian Government’s relationship with First Nations Victorians from across the state.

In 2025–26, the Victorian Government delivered four First Nations cultural events and awards, including the Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll, recognising 10 First Nations leaders for their important contributions to the State; Ricci Marks Awards, recognising the achievements and aspirations of three young First Nations award recipients; the Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service, honouring First Nations service men and women; and the NAIDOC State Reception, celebrating First Peoples’ cultures, communities and voices.

The Victorian Government also supported the Victorian NAIDOC Committee to deliver a program of events for NAIDOC Week, including the Victorian NAIDOC Awards, NAIDOC Pride Event, NAIDOC Flag Raising Ceremony and the NAIDOC March.

Under the Statewide Treaty, the responsibility for delivering First Peoples’ recognition and events is transferring to Gellung Warl from 1 July 2026.

Output: Traditional Owner engagement and cultural heritage management programs

Drove and supported strong cultural heritage management and protection under Victoria’s Aboriginal cultural heritage system

In 2025–26, DPC continued to support the protection and management of Victoria’s Aboriginal cultural heritage. DPC administers the regulatory, enforcement and approval processes of the cultural heritage management system under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006.

The following statutory activities were delivered in 2025–26:

• recorded 1,133 Aboriginal places on the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Register, bringing the number of Aboriginal places and objects recorded to just over 43,500
• made decisions on 66 cultural heritage management plans and nine amendments to plans prepared in parts of Victorian where there is no Registered Aboriginal Party
• issued 10 cultural heritage permits
• made decisions on 57 preliminary Aboriginal heritage tests, providing developers and land users with certainty about whether a cultural heritage management plan is required for a proposed activity.

In 2025–26 DPC also supported cultural heritage management by:

• Supporting Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAPs) to carry out their functions under the Aboriginal Heritage Act, including delivering:
  • sixteen capacity development projects to Traditional Owner organisations to support their protection and management of Aboriginal cultural heritage
  • training in identifying and recording archaeological sites and Aboriginal cultural places
  • Geographic Information Systems training sessions for Registered Aboriginal Parties across the state
  • stone tool identification workshop, providing Aboriginal participants with the skills to identify and record stone tools and artefacts.
• Delivering the Certificate IV in Cultural Heritage Management through a partnership with La Trobe University and administering two workshops with Aboriginal people interested in pursuing a career in Aboriginal cultural heritage management
• Supporting two RAP forums, providing RAPs with opportunities to share knowledge and improve protection outcomes for Aboriginal cultural heritage across the state. DPC also continued to provide advice and support to RAPs carrying out their duties under the Aboriginal Heritage Act.

DPC has undertaken its enforcement and compliance responsibilities during the reporting period. This included completing 99 investigations into reports of non-compliance with the Aboriginal Heritage Act across Victoria and subsequent enforcement actions.

Other activities in 2025–26 under this initiative included:

• driving a proactive enforcement and compliance strategy, preventing the occurrence of offences under the Aboriginal Heritage Act and supporting improved ongoing compliance and protection of Aboriginal cultural heritage
• supporting Traditional Owners to better protect Victoria’s most significant Aboriginal cultural heritage places, such as progressing the development of Ongoing Protection Declarations at significant Victorian cultural landscapes, as well as the ongoing management of places with existing Ongoing Protection Declarations.

Delivering reforms to the cultural heritage system to provide more certainty earlier in the process and protect Aboriginal cultural heritage

Reforms delivered in 2025–26 include:

• Protecting Aboriginal cultural heritage through the Strategic Aboriginal Heritage Assessment program. Mapping cultural heritage during the early planning phase will enable identification of sensitive areas from the start.
• Expanding the number of places available in the Certificate IV in Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management in 2026 and 2027. Expansion of the Certificate IV program will increase the heritage advisor and RAP workforce capacity.
• Funding for a new role in government to serve as a ‘front door’ providing guidance and assistance for developers using the cultural heritage system.
• Delivery of clear guidelines on standards and processes, to provide more certainty about Cultural Heritage Management Plans across Victoria.

Support Aboriginal organisations to build, repair, refurbish or expand community infrastructure.

The Aboriginal Community Infrastructure Program (ACIP) funds First Nations organisations to build new community infrastructure; repair, refurbish or expand existing infrastructure; or undertake infrastructure planning and design activities for future infrastructure to improve service delivery and meet the needs of First Nations people in Victoria.

In 2025–26, the Victorian Government announced funding for 13 First Nations organisations through Round 8 of the ACIP, worth a total of $4.9 million. Notably, six of the organisations were first-time ACIP recipients.

The ACIP also supported 13 First Nations organisations to complete their ACIP projects in 2025–26. Examples of completed capital works and upgrades and repairs and minor works projects in 2025–26 include:

1. Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Cooperative

Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Cooperative (Goolum Goolum) redevelopment of Horsham’s former roller-skating rink to become their Dalki Ghuli Community Hub. Dalki Ghuli is a place where community can gather and connect at the café, or attend a broad range of integrated social services, from an early years playgroup to programs for families and Elders. The design of Dalki Ghuli celebrates Country and culture, and includes versatile community meeting and activity spaces, an outdoor play space, office amenities for staff, and a commercial kitchen to support the café and Goolum Goolum’s catering offerings.

2. Worawa Aboriginal College

Worawa Aboriginal College renovated their Professional Learning Institute in Healesville to improve functionality and better meet the accessibility needs of visitors and Elders. Works included upgrades to the main conference room, creation of new accessible toilets, a new food preparation space, accessible entry ramps, and expansion of the rear decking with new substructure and stairs. The Professional Learning Institute is designed to honour those who ‘walked the land’, and provides structured learning for organisations, schools and other groups to celebrate and build awareness and knowledge of First Nations cultures and perspectives.

3. Connecting Home Limited

Connecting Home Limited upgraded and refreshed the footprint of their Epping workplace to enhance the delivery of culturally safe, wrap-around services for Stolen Generations survivors. The building works included installation of a lift, refurbishment of their first-floor offices and meeting rooms, as well as new accessibility features and adjustments to improve privacy for clients.

4. Mallee District Aboriginal Services

Mallee District Aboriginal Services refurbished their all-mob community kitchen and café in Mildura to create a welcoming and culturally safe space where community can connect, gather and eat nutritious food. The works included a full kitchen reconfiguration and re-fit, as well as the installation of a new cool room, air conditioning, storage, benches and bi-fold windows. The upgrades have increased the supply of meals, catering and refreshments, and have enabled more training and employment opportunities for community.

ACIP Round 8 was the last funding round administered by the State. Under the Statewide Treaty Agreement, the responsibility for delivering infrastructure investment for First Nations organisations is transferring to Gellung Warl from 1 July 2026.

Support the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council to progress and fulfil its statutory functions.

In 2025–26, DPC continued to support the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council to fulfil its statutory functions under section 132 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act.

Within this reporting period, the council received 16 reports of Ancestral Remains discoveries under section 17 of the Act. Following last year’s reinterment of 15 Ancestors within RAP Country, the Council has progressed conversations with four RAPs seeking to progress the return of their Ancestors back to Country. The Council repatriated 14 Ancestors back to Traditional Owners of East Arnhem Land and is in conversations with one other Traditional Owner group of the region.

The Council approved grants of up to $250,000 each to six RAPs totalling $1.3 million to support activities on Country that seek to protect and conserve Aboriginal cultural heritage. Funding for the grants was sourced from the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Fund.

The Council progressed the Review of the Care and Return of Ancestral Remains Within Australia project currently being overseen by the Caring for and Returning Ancestral Remains Governance Committee, a subcommittee of the Indigenous Heritage Chairs of Australia and New Zealand forum. The project includes a review of the legislation in each jurisdiction as it relates to the care, management and return of Ancestral Remains.

The Council has now appointed 12 RAPs covering 77.5% of Victoria. Statutory approvals for the remainder of Victoria remains the responsibility of DPC.

Progress towards achieving the objective

The objective indicator, associated data sets and descriptions below show how the following outputs contribute to DPC’s First Peoples are Strong and Self-determining departmental objective:

• Self-determination policy and reform advice and programs
• Traditional owner engagement and cultural heritage management programs.

Throughout 2025-26, DPC's policy advice to the Premier, Cabinet, portfolio ministers, and key governing boards and committees continued to shape the government's agenda in the medium to long-term by:

• Upholding commitments to self-determination and equitable outcomes through work on the Victorian Aboriginal Affairs Framework 2018–2025 and the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
• Coordinating the Victorian Government’s response to the Yoorrook Justice Commission’s final reports and recommendations.
• Reporting on the Government's progress against the Victorian Aboriginal Affairs Framework through the Victorian Government Aboriginal Affairs Report.
• Protecting Victoria’s significant Aboriginal cultural heritage by managing the regulatory, enforcement and approval processes under the Aboriginal Heritage Act.
• Signing and implementing Australia’s first Treaty in the Statewide Treaty.

Objective indicator: First Peoples in Victoria have increased control over decisions that impact their lives