Indigenous Australians 

Directory of Commonwealth Government Indigenous Research, 2006 - 2007 

2006 

The purpose of the directory (2006-07) is to provide readers with a ready reference to, and better understanding of, the research work that has been completed, and is taking place, on Indigenous programs and future research, on behalf of the Australian Government.

Please add additional lines for each portfolio and research topic and include both commenced and planned topics


Attorney-General's Department
Name of agency Research title Research Objective Consultants name Will the report be available to other cth depts Expected completion date
Attorney-General's Department and FaCSIA Issues workshop and roundtable into Indigenous women and post-release issues Report into post-release issues for Indigenous women HREOC TBD June 2007
Attorney-General's Department Substance abuse and offending Responding to substance use and offending in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities AIC Yes June 2007
Attorney-General's Department Indigenous community capacity development Indigenous community capacity development in the implementation of crime prevention strategies Australian National University TBD June 2007
Attorney-General's Department Coronial recommendations Report on coronial recommendations and their implementation Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited, previously Many Rivers Aboriginal Legal Service No February 2007
Attorney-General's Department Work and Family Report Employment opportunities for women in ATSILS Barbara Pocock No September 2005
Attorney-General's Department Dealing with the world of work Information regarding aspects of work affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women Mandy Tibbey No March 2005
Attorney-General's Department Indigenous young people with cognitive disabilities and Australian juvenile justice systems An investigation of the impact of early intervention strategies including diversionary practices aimed at preventing offending behaviour in Indigenous young people with a cognitive disability and/or mental health problems. HREOC Available on the HREOC website 8 December 2005
Attorney-General's Department Cognitive Disabilities Project Follow-up An investigation of the impact of early intervention strategies including diversionary practices aimed at preventing offending behaviour in Indigenous young people with a cognitive disability and/or mental health problems. HREOC TBD June 2007
National Native Title Tribunal Background series Intended to provide assistance to parties involved in native title claims. The reports can take a number of forms, including summary reports of the published literature on geographic areas associated with particular Indigenous groups, contact histories, and analyses of literature relating to rights and interests in land and waters. Not applicable No Serial throughout the year (approx 30)
Australian Crime Commission - National Indigenous Violence and Child Abuse Intelligence Task Force Report on the Nature and Extent of Violence and Child Abuse in Indigenous Communities Enhance the national understanding of the nature and extent of violence and child abuse in Indigenous communities Mandy Carter TBD 2009
Emergency Management Australia National Emergency Management Strategy for Remote and Indigenous Communities: “Keeping Our Mob Safe”. To produce a national emergency management strategy for remote Indigenous communities Research provided by Vision Network Pty Ltd Judy Parker (EMA member of the Remote and Indigenous Communities Advisory Committee) Yes once launched by the Attorney-General in May 2007 May 2007
Australian Institute of Criminology Drug use careers of offenders This was a national project that investigated current and lifetime offending and drug use amongst adult male and female prisoners, as well as juveniles in detention centres.

Indigenous prisoners self reported offending and drug use histories were compared with non-Indigenous prisoners		 Research undertaken

by AIC; funded by AGD
  • Alcohol, drugs and crime: a study of juveniles in detention.
  • Key findings from the drug use careers of juvenile offenders study.
  • Indigenous male offending and substance abuse.
  • Drugs and crime: a study of incarcerated female offenders.
  • Key findings from the drug use careers of female offenders study
  • Drugs and crime: a study of incarcerated male offenders.
  • Key findings from the drug use careers of offenders (DUCO) study.

at Australian Institue of Criminology website 		Completed 2005
Australian Institute of Criminology Policing implications of illicit drug use in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities The objectives of this national project were to identify:
  • the extent and nature of illicit drug use by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in rural and remote locations
  • the individual and community harms associated with such use
  • current policing policy and practice in these settings
  • good policing practice that will prevent and minimise harms
 Funded by the National Drug Law Enforcement Fund, research was undertaken by AIC in collaboration with Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
  • Good practice framework:policing illicit drugs in rural and remote local communities.
  • The policing implications of cannabis, amphetamine and other illicit drug use in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
  • Illicit drug use in rural and remote Indigenous communities.

at Australian Institue of Criminology website 		Completed 2006
  Research into

Indigenous victims of crime in the ACT justice system		 The objectives are to:
  • identify the number of Indigenous victims of crime who proceed through the criminal justice system in the ACT, in particular relating to family violence
  • identify the nature of crimes perpetrated against Indigenous victims of crime in the ACT
  • identify characteristics associated with victimisation, including relationship type, Indigenous status of offender, age and background of victims and offenders. history of victimisation;
  • identify how many victims proceed with prosecution and what types of outcomes do offenders receive.
 Research being undertaken by AIC; funded by ACT government To be agreed with client (ACT Government) March 2007
Australian Institute of Criminology Indigenous Justice Clearinghouse The Indigenous Justice Clearinghouse project will provide the resources needed by practitioners, policy makers and researchers in Indigenous justice program evaluations; identify the current projects being implemented around Australia relating to Indigenous ustice; present successful Indigenous justice interventions and lessons learned from projects; and focus on improving resource dissemination among the Indigenous justice community of practice An AIC project being undertaken in collaboration with NSW Attorney General's Dept Indigenous Justice Clearinghouse website Launched November 2006
Australian Institute of Criminology Responding to substance use and of fending in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities Stage 1 of this national project

seeks to :
  • identify the initiatives available to divert Indigenous adults and juveniles with substance use issues from the criminal justice system across Australia
  • identify how the criminal justice system currently responds to Indigenous adults and juveniles with substance use issues.
 Research being undertaken by AIC; funded by Attorney General's Department To be agreed with client (AGD) Mid-2007
Australian Institute of Criminology Reintegrating Indigenous offenders: recidivism among Indigenous Australians who have been imprisoned This project aims to identify whether there are patterns of offending and particular demographic characteristics that are linked to recidivism among the population of Indigenous males imprisoned for violent offences, and if so, have formal interventions designed to stop re-offending and promote reintegration led to positive outcomes for this group of prisoners? Research being undertaken by AIC; funded by states and territories through the Corrective Services Administrators' conference (CSAC) To be agreed with client (CSAC) Mid-2007
Australian Institute of Criminology Juveniles in Detention in Australia The examination of long-term trends and patterns in the number and rate of juveniles in detention over time, as well as levels of Indigenous overrepresentation in juvenile detention AIC core monitoring program
  • Statistics on juvenile detention in Australia: 1981-2004.
  • Juveniles in detention in Australia, 1981-2005.

at Australian Institue of Criminology website 		Ongoing monitoring program
Australian Institute of Criminology Drug Use Monitoring in Australia program The objectives of DUMA include the examination of the relationship between drugs and crime and the monitoring of local drug markets and of drug use patterns by detainees across time. AIC core monitoring program Indigenous male offending and substance use. Ongoing monitoring program
Australian Institute of Criminology National Deaths in Custody program As part of the Australian Government's commitment to implementing the recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, this program monitors the circumstances of all deaths in prison and police custody (and custody related police operations) and deaths in juvenile detention in Australia and examines the long-term trends and changes in deaths in custody in Australia.

Comparisons are made between Indigenous and non-Indigenous deaths.		 AIC core monitoring program Deaths in custody in Australia 1990-2004.

Deaths in custody in Australia: 2005 National Deaths in Custody Program annual report. 		Ongoing monitoring program
Australian Institute of Criminology National Homicide Monitoring program The program collects and analyses information on all homicides (murder and manslaughter, but excluding driving causing death) in Australia. Details of offenders and victims include Indigenousstatus. AIC core monitoring program Homicide in Australia: 2003-2004 National Homicide Monitoring Program (NHMP) annual report. Ongoing monitoring program
Australian Institute of Criminology National Police Custody Survey Survey reports on: how many people go into and out of police cells over the course of one month; why people are placed in police custody; the types of offences associated with police custody; the length of time that people are in police custody; the proportions of incidents in which Indigenous people are involved; rates of Indigenous and non-Indigenous custody per population; and whether these patterns change over time. AIC core monitoring program 2002 National Police custody survey. Ongoing monitoring program
Australian Federal Police Indigenous Employment Strategy To identify strategies to attract, engage and retain indigenous people within the AFP. During this project work was undertaken on identifying cultural issues impacting attraction, selection techniques, employment conditions and training/development requirements This was conducted by internal staff Happy to discuss current initiatives with other agencies. Completed November 2006

Department of Environment and Water Resources (DEW)
Name of agency Research title Research Objective Consultants name Will the report be available to other cth depts Expected completion date
Parks Australia North (PAN)

Kakadu National Park (KNP)		 Impact of cane toads on goannas (Darwin R&S budget Part 4) Park-wide monitoring of six goanna species potentially at-risk from the arrival of cane toads. Charles Darwin University (CDU).   Completed.
  Landscape change project Several research projects looking at different aspects of landscape change Charles Darwin University (CDU)   Nearing completion
  Fire plot surveys and fire mapping Bush Fire Council (BFC) and KNP undertook 10 year review in November 2005. Collaborative project between KNP and NT BFC   Ongoing
  Satellite tracking of estuarine crocodiles (Darwin R&S Budget) Research aimed at increasing knowledge of the movements of crocodiles to guide management of this species particular relating to managing risk in key visitor destinations. Collaborative project between PAN, Wildlife Management International (WMI), NT Dept of Natural Resources, Environment & the Arts (NRETA) and CDU   Ongoing
  Monitoring of Flat back turtles 10 year monitoring program on marine turtle species. Internal PAN project   Ongoing
  Marine turtle survey report Report on monitoring data and nest fate data Tropical Savannah CRC & NAILSMA   Complete
  Frog recording poles Research aimed at assessing changes in frog populations due to cane toads University of Queensland   Ongoing.
  Marine Biodiversity Survey Research aimed at understanding the distribution and abundance of marine species Collaboration with National Oceans Office and NT Museum & PAN   Nearing completion
  Acacia D19063 (Graveside Gorge) Distribution survey and monitoring of populations Collaboration with NT Parks and Wildlife & PAN   Ongoing.
  Ecological-epidemiological models of feral swamp buffalo control in northern Australia Buffalo - population dynamics and disease control Collaboration between Charles Darwin University (CDU), Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation and PAN.   Ongoing.
Projects with research institutions below funded in kind Interactions between magpie geese and Eleocharis A study of how the number of water chestnuts bulbs changes over time, how these changes affect magpie geese and are in turn affected by the geese. Charles Darwin University (CDU)   Ongoing
  Small mammal trapping including search for threatened golden-backed tree rat Trapping of small mammals at selected known habitats for the golden - backed tree rat within Kakadu National Park Collaborative project between PAN and NRETA   Ongoing
  Monitoring of quolls To determine whether quoll populations are affected by cane toads in the long-term.

The northern quoll was listed as an endangered species in 2005 under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999 and by the IUCN (World Conservation Union). 		Independent researcher Meri Oakwood's with some support from PAN.   Ongoing
ULURU - KATA TJUTA NATIONAL PARK (UKTNP)

Cultural Resources		 UKTNP Fire and vegetation strategy Includes case studies on indigenous fire knowledge within UKTNP as well as consultation with Traditional Owners Ninti one   Complete 2006
  Ara Irititja (stories from a long time ago) Archival Project. Collection and documentation of written documents, photographs, film and tape recordings for inclusion in this multi-media database. Documentation of existing material in the database. SA Museum support in house project   2005 -ongoing
  Oral History Program. Recording, transcription, documentation and storage of oral history material. In house, and consultant to be selected   ongoing
  Research not directly budget funded by PAN (Parks Aust North) see below        
  Effectiveness of new media technologies for indigenous cultural organisations and businesses and communities. The UKTNP Cultural Sites Management System is used as a case study. Megan Cardamone - PhD Candidate Deakin University.   ongoing
  Ethno archaeological research. Documenting the collection and processing of bush foods, extraction of starch grains, microscopic pieces of plant in order to better understand the archaeological record

Fieldwork conducted with Anangu women in UKTNP and Katiti Land Trust.		 Dr Karen Hardy - University of Sydney   ongoing
  Examining tourist perceptions and behaviours in relation to the Uluru Climb.   Dr Richard Baker, Australian National University.   ongoing
  Investigating four World Heritage joint management models Investigating different joint management models used by four structurally similar World Heritage Properties listed as 'cultural landscapes'. UKTNP is used as a case study. Researchers met with staff and traditional owners. Assistant Professor Asa Nilson Dahlstrom, Carina Green and Professor Hugh Beach, Linkoping and Uppsala Universities Sweden.   ongoing
  Documenting knowledge on the Mala (rufus hare wallaby) Documenting traditional knowledge and perspectives on Mala and investigating diet and habitation of the Mala Jim Platon (employee on leave one years leave) Masters UNE   commencing
Land Water & Coasts

Natural Resource Management Policy Branch		 Akwè: Kon Guidelines Participant as signatory to Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Available -

CBD website		   Published
Land Water & Coasts Division Coasts & Water Branch /Coastal Policy Section Great Barrier Reef (GBR) Indigenous Engagement Project--Indigenous Cultural Indicators of Wetlands and Water Quality 1) To record Indigenous knowledge and identify cultural indicators of wetlands and water quality water through three case studies in the Northern GBR Catchment

2) To develop a framework for Indigenous cultural indicators for wetlands and water quality for the GBR catchment.

3) To develop water quality and wetlands monitoring techniques for identified cultural indicators		 Balkanu Cape York Aboriginal Development Corporation Yes June 2007
Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Aboriginal Heritage Interpretation Research Project Identify indigenous stories relevant to Sydney Harbour, particularly the Harbour Trust lands, which can be used to interpret Aboriginal heritage. Amanda Burdon Available-Yes (through the Harbour Trust's Resource Centre) Completed November 2006
Environment Quality Division

Oil recycling section		 Barriers and Opportunities to Used Oil Collection in Remote Indigenous South Australia
  • Identify sources of used oil in Anangu Pitjanttjatjara (AP) lands
  • Identify how used oil is currently managed on AP Lands
  • Identify barriers and opportunities to improve management of used oil on AP Lands
 Zero Waste SA Completed March 2006
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority - (GBRMPA) Conservation, Heritage and Indigenous Partnerships - CHIPs Towards a culturally-appropriate framework for incorporating Traditional Knowledge into the management of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park To establish and implement a culturally appropriate framework and process to sensitively collect, store, and use TK in the management of the GBRWHA (includes cultural mapping). TBA Stage 1 (desktop research/ fieldwork) July 07
Marine Division, Director of National Parks

Northern Territory Government,

Northern Land Council,

Indigenous communities of the Northern Territory		 Marine Biodiversity Survey of Inshore Waters of the South Eastern Van Diemen Gulf and North West Arnhem Land Between the Goulburn Islands and Castlereagh Bay, Northern Territory To document the species composition of seagrass communities, fish assemblages and vertebrates through biological survey techniques integrated with Indigenous knowledge Barry Russell

(NT Government)		 Yes Dec 2006
Marine Division

Dhimurru Land Management Aboriginal Corporation,

North Australia Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA),

Carpentaria Ghost Net Programme,

Parks and Wildlife Service Northern Territory		 Research project on the impact of marine debris on marine turtle survival and behaviour To examine the behaviour and survival of marine turtles released from entanglement in derelict fishing nets found in northeast Arnhem Land Steve Roeger

(Dhimurru Land Management Aboriginal Corporation)		 Yes Dec 2007
Marine Division North Australia Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance, Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, Australian National University Socio-economic study of Indigenous management of dugong and marine turtles To understand, in a holistic sense, the social and economic contribution of dugong and marine turtle to Indigenous society and livelihoods including people's nutrition and well-being, monetary and exchange values to local economies, and totemic and cultural values.

To understand the socio-economic factors that influence Indigenous people's behaviour and capacity to undertake contemporary management of dugong and marine turtle including

- factors influencing levels of consumptive use

- factors influencing capacity to protect and manage the resource		 Jon Altman Yes - in part Dec 2007
Indigenous Heritage Management Section

DEH/Heritage Division/

Heritage Management Branch/Indigenous Heritage Management Section		 Aboriginal Archaeological Survey: Waldaira-Juno Station Research on Aboriginal archaeological and cultural values in and around Waldaira-Juno Station. Indigenous Heritage Programme (IHP) grant issued to the Pappin Family Aboriginal Corporation Sensitivity issues still need to be determined. 30/06/2007
  Weld Ranges Identification Project Identify and record the cultural significance and Indigenous heritage values of the Weld Ranges to support consideration for inclusion on the National Heritage List. HP grant issued to Yamatji Marlpa Barna Baba Maaja Aboriginal Corporation Sensitivity issues still need to be determined. 30/06/2007
  Aboriginal Sacred Sites/Areas Project - Desert Channels Region This project aims to identify and record places in the DCQ region that have significant Aboriginal cultural heritage values. IHP grant Desert Channels Queensland Inc Sensitivity issues still need to be determined. 30/06/2007
  Yindjibarndi Cultural Mapping Project Record, document, conserve, and interpret significant Aboriginal cultural sites in Yindjibarnde traditional country. IHP grant issued to Juluwarlu Aboriginal Corporation Sensitivity issues still need to be determined. 30/06/2007
Natural Heritage Assessment Section

Heritage/Heritage Assessment/ Natural Heritage Assessment (joint project with Parks Australia/Parks Australia South/ Indigenous Land Management)		 Indigenous engagement in north-western South Australia associated with a flora and fauna study To obtain locational data on flora and fauna (especially invertebrates) in and near the Walalkara IPA and exchange information with Indigenous communities that may assist them in managing their land Collaborative project with South Australian Museum and SA Department of Environment & Heritage Yes, if required June 2007
Environment & Sustainable Reporting (E&SR) State of Indigenous Cultural Heritage -A Survey of Indigenous Organisations Survey of Indigenous organisations re cultural heritage for SoE 2006 Open Mind Research Group Yes, on the DEH SoE website Completed
Commonwealth Environment Research          

Department of Industry Tourism and Resources Tourism Division- DITR
Name of agency Research title Research Objective Consultants name Will the report be available to other cth depts Expected completion date
  Business Ready Program for Indigenous Tourism (BRPIT) Research Project The BRPIT Research Project was designed to run in conjunction with the four year $3.8m BRPIT. The Project is a study of success and failure factors associated with Indigenous tourism businesses. Ongoing research outcomes are used to monitor the progress of the Program and for ongoing policy development in relation to Indigenous tourism. Southern Cross University (Research students - a PhD and a Masters candidate) Yes The project commenced on 21 June 2005 and runs for the life of the BRPIT through to 30 June 2008 with completed research expected late in 2008.

Department of Employment and Workplace Relations - DEWR
Name of agency Research title Research Objective Consultants name Will the report be available to other cth depts Expected completion date
Indigenous Community Trusts Research Project Undertake in-depth research into the nature and purpose of ICTs and to gather relevant information that could inform a reform process, with regard to their functioning and accountability. PricewaterhouseCoopers Yes, once information identifying particular ICTs is removed January 2007
  2005 Employer Survey Employers recruitment experiences in the previous 12 months, perceptions and use of Job Network and AJS and Attitudes towards hiring particular groups such as people with a disability and Indigenous people Wallis Consulting Main report is already publicly available on the department's website. Topic papers relating to analysis on employers attitudes to hiring indigenous people will be completed by end February 2007 but will not be made publicly available February 2007

Department of Education - DEST
Name of agency Research title Research Objective Consultants name Will the report be available to other cth depts Expected completion date
Primary Connections indigenous perspective consultative and scoping research The Primary Connections project aims to build primary students' knowledge and understanding of science while also focusing on the development of their literacy skills.

Indigenous consultative research will act as a guide for schools and teachers to implement indigenous perspectives that are integrated and embedded, in order to foster improved science and learning outcomes for indigenous students.		 Ms Robyn Bull, Academy of Science Yes, by request on completion End 2007
  Achievement of Australia's Early Secondary Indigenous Students: Findings from TIMSS 2003. (TIMSS Australia Monograph no. 10) Sue Thomson, Pippa McKelvie, Hanna Murnane. Melbourne: ACER. Examines Indigenous student achievement, and factors influencing that achievement, in an international assessment of Year 8 students in science and mathematics conducted in 2002/03 Australian Council for Educational research (ACER)

(Note that DEST provided funding to Acer to conduct Timss 2002/03 in Australia but this particular report was not produced under contract to DEST)		 Available online at

ACER website

TIMSSAustMono10Indigenousreport.pdf

(Note that this report was not produced in hard copy)

Published on ACER website December 2006
  Engaging Remote and Very Remote Indigenous Students with Education using ICTs To demonstrate, via an action research project, effective strategies and practices using ICT and innovative online learning materials to engage remote and very remote Indigenous students with learning for improved educational outcomes Charles Darwin University Yes December 2007
  Investigation into the current provision of indigenous language programmes in Australian schools The project aims to improve the sustainability and quality of indigenous language programmes delivered in Australian schools, and to promote good practice nationally. The final report will provide a snapshot of the current national situation in indigenous languages education. examples of good practice will be identified and evaluated and recommendations made for a further phase of action. Australian council for educational research Yes 31 July 2007
  Supporting indigenous students' achievement in numeracy To investigate appropriate methods of assessment and recording of student achievement in numeracy in the middle years among indigenous students in remote locations Northern territory department of employment, education & training, northern territory catholic education office and the association of independent schools of the northern territory in partnership with RMIT university The report is available publicly on the DEST website Completed in 2005
Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies          

Department of Transport and Regional Services - DOTARS

No Indigenous research undertaken


Department of Health and Aging - DoHA
Name of agency Research title Research Objective Consultants name Will the report be available to other cth depts Expected completion date
Special groups of people with Dementia - Indigenous people with Dementia To provide an extensive literature review of dementia in Indigenous people including risk factors, types of dementia, and the perceptions of Indigenous people of dementia in rural and urban settings UNSW Collaborative Research Centre Yes December 2007
  Validation of the Kimberley Indigenous Cognitive Assessment Tool in Rural and Remote Indigenous Communities of the Northern Territory To validate the efficacy of the assessment tool in a group of older people from Indigenous backgrounds in the Northern Territory and determine its appropriateness as an assessment tool for this group, and whether modifications to the tool are required. Alzheimer's Australia NT Yes June 2007
  Mapping of the national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Home and Community Care Workforce To determine the size and demographic make-up of the national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander HACC workforce, and examine issues relating to recruitment, retention, training, skills qualification levels, patterns of work and funding for staff so as to inform policy development to support this workforce. Gevers Goddard Jones Pty Ltd Yes Feb 2007
  Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society

National Centre in HIV Social Research		 Prioritising the research agenda in Indigenous sexual health 2001-2005

Assessing Indigenous sexual risk 2003-2005

Indigenous Futures: sex, drugs and medications 2003-2005

HIV Futures: Indigenous cohort report 2000-2005

Indigenous sexual and reproductive health: Insights from the Australian Study of Health Relationships - 2005-2006

Indigenous gay men and the experience of homophobia and sexual violence 2000-2006

Assessing the requirements for a national survey of Indigenous sexual risk 2004-2007

Indigenous Futures: sex, drugs and medications 2005-2007

HIV Futures Indigenous cohort report 2000-2007

Evidence base for STI/BBV prevention and treatment for Koori people in prison 2006-2007

Assessing the workforce and training needs of primary health care services in the identification assessment, treatment and referral of Indigenous survivors of sexual violence 2007-2009

Recognising and responding to Hepatitis C in Indigenous communities in Victoria 2006-2007

Resilience and risk factors in Indigenous men's introduction to injecting while incarcerated 2005-2007

Comparisons of experiences of Aboriginal people with HIV in urban and rural settings in Western Australia 2004-2005

SEARCH: Study of environment on Aboriginal resilience and child health 2006-2009

Study of Cancer in Aboriginal people 2005-2007		     2005

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  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access to Major Health Programs To provide an up-to-date picture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' access to major health programs Urbis Keys Young Yes 2006
  Review of the NT DMO bulk billing project To review the arrangement between the Commonwealth and Northern Territory Department of Health and Community Services allowing Medicare bulk billing in agreed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in remote locations Kristine Battye Consulting Pty Ltd No 2006
  Review of the North QLD bulk billing project To review the arrangement between the Commonwealth and Queensland Health allowing Medicare bulk billing in agreed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in agreed locations Kristine Battye Consulting Pty Ltd No 2006
  Medicare Modelling Study To gain a greater understanding of the factors impacting on Medicare billing in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary health care services throughout Australia Tender process not yet complete   2007
  Expenditures on health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 2004-05 To identify relative expenditures between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to inform health policy Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Yes 2007
  Overview of the APY Swimming Pools Project Assess the feasibility of carrying out an evaluation of the sustainability and benefits of four swimming pools being built in Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands; design a methodology to conduct the evaluation that will build on and be comparable with the evaluation of swimming pools in Western Australia undertaken by the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research; prepare a final report, including the cost of carrying out the methodology. Health Care Planning and Evaluation Pty Ltd` Yes 2007
  Onemda VicHealth Koori Health Unit.

The Department funds the Onemda Unit but individual research projects are not directly funded by the Department.		 The Department funds Onemda to develop a research program in Aboriginal health that contributes to long-term improvement in Aboriginal health. This thematically organised program of research address research priorities identified by Aboriginal people and organisations and other stakeholders in Aboriginal health policy and practice. The outcomes of this research program inform the development of Aboriginal health policy and health service delivery and the education of health practitioners.

Research projects can be found at: Onemda website		 Ondemda VicHealth Koori Health Unit Yes 2007-2010
  Telethon Institute for Child Health Research

The Department co-ordinates Australian Government funding for this project. Other funders include the Department of Education, Science and Training, Department of Family and Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and the Attorney-General's Department 		To conduct and publish results from the Western Australian Aboriginal Child Health Survey. Five volumes of research are planned. Four volumes have been published to date as follows:
  • The Health of Aboriginal Children and Young People
    • ;
  • The Social and Emotional Well-being of Aboriginal Children and Young People
    • ;
  • Improving the Educational Experiences of Aboriginal Children and Young People
    • ;
  • Strengthening the Capacity of Aboriginal Children, Families and Communities
    • .
  • Volume five is in the production stage and focuses on the justice system.
 Telethon Institute for Child Health Research Yes 2007
  Co-operative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health (CRCAH) The Department is an industry partner in the CRCAH. Research projects co-ordinated by the CRCAH can be found at:

CRCAH website		      
  2005 National Drugs Campaign - Indigenous youth survey To obtain post-campaign impact of information about illegal drugs The Social Research Centre and the Cultural and Indigenous Research Centre Australia (CIRCA) Report available at: National Drugs Campaign website 2006

Family and Community Services and Indigenous Affairs- FaCSIA
Name of agency Research title Research Objective Consultants name Will the report be available to other cth depts Expected completion date
  'Foot prints in time' - The Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children The Australian Government has committed $12m over 4 years to the implementation of a Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children (LSIC). The study aims to collect a broad range of information in the domains of health, education, childcare, wellbeing and family functioning of Indigenous people across Australia. By following children over time, LSIC would be able to determine the individual, family, and broader community and cultural factors that are associated with consistency and change in children's developmental trajectories. A Steering Committee has been established to work in partnership with FaCSIA and to ensure research excellence for the project. The study aims to provide a data resource that can be drawn on by Australian governments, researchers, service providers, parents and communities. Pilot data is currently being collected with formal Wave 1 data collection beginning in the first part of 2008.
  The growing up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children: A Literature Review This literature review was commissioned as part of Footprints in Time-The Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children, to consolidate what is already known about Indigenous children, and to highlight what information is missing.
It considers the data available for understanding the care giving environment of Indigenous children, and child-specific topics such as early childhood, the school years and pathways outside of school.		 Professor Robyn Penman Published as part of the FaCSIA Occasional Paper Series (Number 15) November 2006
  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander views on research in their communities. This paper is based on the minutes taken during extensive consultations with urban, regional and remote Indigenous communities across Australia during 2003-04 for Footprints in Time-The Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children. The goal of the consultations was to ensure that the research project was designed to genuinely benefit Indigenous people. The report contains all the comments made and questions asked by the participants in the consultation meetings. Professor Robyn Penman Published as part of the FaCSIA Occasional Paper Series (Number 16) November 2006
  Growing up in the Torres Strait region: A report from the Footprints in Time trials. This paper documents the experiences of growing up in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula area using the stories and photos of local people. The stories were collected during the trial phase of Footprints in Time-The Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children in 2005. Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health in collaboration with the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research and the Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. Published as part of the FaCSIA Occasional Paper Series (Number 17) November 2006
Housing Policy & Support Branch An audit and review of local and international Indigenous Housing Research. This project aims to critically review the literature on Indigenous Housing in Australia with a view to (a) conceptualising the body of knowledge on the subject in theoretically broad and practical, policy relevant ways, and (b) identifying gaps and unresolved issues that have a direct bearing on the establishment of a reasonable quality residential lifestyle for Indigenous people. Carried out through the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute Limited (AHURI). Will be available publicly through the website of AHURI. Due for completion in 2006.
  Best practices models for effective consultation towards improving built environment outcomes for remote Indigenous communities. Documents current best practices with regard to indigenous community consultation methods and examines means for improving relevant practices and procedures between service providers and communities. Carried out through the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute Limited (AHURI). Available publicly through the website of AHURI. Completed in April 2005.
  Between Places: Indigenous mobility in discrete and rural settlements. This research carried out a combination of statistical and field-based research on the residential mobility of Indigenous people in selected discrete and rural communities in order to quantify and contextualise their mobility patterns. Carried out through the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute Limited (AHURI). Available publicly through the website of AHURI. Completed in May 2006.
  Flexible housing design for Indigenous communities. This project is a response to the need for a culturally appropriate and locally adjustable framework of design guidelines and capacity building tools for Indigenous housing in provincial and remote Australia. The project will examine the way Indigenous people use their homes to meet their cultural and social requirements. The project will produce a design manual, design exemplars, and capacity building material to support the local implementation of the National Indigenous Housing Design Guide. Carried out through the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute Limited (AHURI). Will be available publicly through the website of AHURI. Positioning paper due mid-2007.
  Framework for evaluating Building a Better Future: Indigenous Housing to 2010. This proposal aims to develop an evaluation framework to assess the implementation process and outcomes of Housing Ministers' 10 year Statement of New Directions for Indigenous Housing - Building a Better Future: Indigenous Housing to 2010. Carried out through the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute Limited (AHURI). Available publicly through the website of AHURI. Completed March 2005.
  Indigenous housing - assessing the long term costs and the optimal balance between recurrent and capital expenditure. An analysis of the long-term costs of providing Indigenous specific housing across Australia compared with mainstream social housing and assessment of how to balance recurrent and capital expenditure within Indigenous housing programs across Australia to optimise the use of available resources. Carried out through the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute Limited (AHURI). Available publicly through the website of AHURI. Completed May 2006.
  Indigenous Access to Mainstream Public and Community Housing. Investigates the reasons underpinning the level of representation of Indigenous people in mainstream public and community housing programs. Carried out through the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute Limited (AHURI). Available publicly through the website of AHURI. Completed July 2005.
  Scoping the capacity of Indigenous Community Housing Organisations. This project aims to examine the nature of the Indigenous Community Housing Organisation sector, measuring the main financial and non-financial factors that affect the viability of these organisations. Carried out through the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute Limited (AHURI). Will be available publicly through the website of AHURI. Project status report due early 2007.
  Scoping the capacity of Indigenous community housing organisations - Victorian extension.

[Planned]		 This project is an extension of the current Scoping the capacity of Indigenous Community Housing organisations project to include Victoria in the fieldwork. Carried out through the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute Limited (AHURI). Will be available publicly through the website of AHURI. Due for completion early 2008.
  Sustainable tenancy for Indigenous families: what services and policy supports are needed? Maps the housing history and housing service use of Indigenous women and children in Brisbane and Darwin from a qualitative perspective to assess the pathways surrounding homelessness and sustainable tenancy, the relevant structural and service barriers and best practice models of service coordination. Carried out through the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute Limited (AHURI). Available publicly through the website of AHURI. Completed February 2005.
  The Housing Careers of Indigenous Urban Households. This qualitative ethnographic study of the housing careers of extended kin groups of Indigenous Australians seeks to understand why and how their housing moves have occurred; how these moves can be correlated with their housing aspirations; and how such factors as life stage, employment, family and community responsibilities, and knowledge and availability of housing assistance and other supports have affected their housing careers. Carried out through the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute Limited (AHURI). Will be available publicly through the website of AHURI. Positioning paper due early 2007.
  The effects of New Living on Indigenous community wellbeing: a case study on urban regeneration. Analyses the impact of a public housing regeneration programme in WA upon indigenous households in urban communities and will develop indicators of the links between housing and quality of life culturally appropriate to Indigenous people. Carried out through the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute Limited (AHURI). Will be available publicly through the website of AHURI. Due for completion in 2006.
  Sustaining high risk tenancies in public and private rental housing and the interface between program funders and community service organisations.

[Planned]		 The aim of this project is to improve our understanding of the operation of programs in public and private rental housing designed to sustain tenancies at risk and of the factors that contribute to their effectiveness. The project seeks to describe, compare and analyse the operation of tenancy support programs across jurisdictions and between rental sectors (public and private). Its focus is on the interface between program funders and service providers and the ways in which providers deliver services to their clients. Carried out through the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute Limited (AHURI). Will be available publicly through the website of AHURI. Due for completion late 2007.
  Indigenous Australians - Thematic Report. Analyses a range of Indigenous specific data contained in the SAAP (Supported Accommodation and Assistance Program) National Data Collection. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). Yes. June 2007.
  Indigenous Homelessness in Australia. A national consultation on Indigenous Homelessness conducted in early 2005 prepared for the Commonwealth Advisory Committee on Homelessness (CACH) as part of the National Homelessness Strategy (NHS). FaCSIA (Rex Direen, main author) on behalf of CACH. Yes. Will be published in January 2007.
Youth Bureau          
NB: All of the following 3 research projects are, or have been, undertaken as part of the National Youth Affairs Research Scheme (NYARS), which is jointly funded by Australian, State and Territory governments. The FaCSIA Youth Bureau represents the Australian Government's interests on the NYARS scheme.          
  Community Building Through Intergenerational Exchange Programs The research explored the active participation of young people in economic and social life, and the promotion of positive achievements and image of young people in the context of intergenerational activities.
  • One of the four case studies involved Aboriginal young people in the Kimberley.
 Murdoch University Yes August 2006 (completed)
  Barriers to Service For Pregnant Young Women and Mothers The purpose of the research is to determine the barriers to service use experienced by young pregnant women and mothers.
  • Indigenous young women are among the specified target groups for this project.
 Research Centre for Gender and Health, University of Newcastle Yes May 2007
  Diversity in Young People's Participation in Government and Community Decision-making Provide a framework for best practice youth participation models that facilitates the involvement of young people from diverse communities

Provide advice on the enabling attitudes, structures and conditions that ensure young people's engagement is meaningful and sustainable.
  • Indigenous young people are among the target groups for this research project.
 Cultural & Indigenous Research Centre Australia (CIRCA) Yes July 2008
Family Relationship Services Branch Evaluation of the Family Violence Regional Activities Programme (FVRAP) Assess the effectiveness of the program and the best means by which any future program might support local communities to address family violence Courage Partners Currently on the FaCSIA internet site. Completed May 2005
Homelessness Policy and Assistance Indigenous Homelessness in Australia A national consultation on Indigenous Homelessness conducted in early 2005 prepared for the Commonwealth Advisory Committee on Homelessness (CACH) as part of the National Homelessness Strategy (NHS) Rex Direen yes Will be published in January 2007
Child Support Policy Branch Child support outcomes for Indigenous families To address a gap in research examining the interaction of Indigenous families with the child support and family law system and for ongoing program monitoring and policy development. Not yet gone to tender.

Research proposed to be undertaken in 2nd half of 2007.		 Still to be determined. Early 2008
Childcare Services and Support Branch Towards an Indigenous Child Care Plan The objective of the consultations were:
  • identify the child care needs and preferences of Indigenous families and children
  • examine ways to incorporate culturally appropriate quality assurance in new and existing child care services
  • explore pathways to better outcomes for Indigenous children
  • identify ways to provide a transparent process for the funding of Indigenous child care services
  • guide the development of new and existing child care services
 Edith Cowan University No April 2007
  Needs analysis of the childcare professional support needs IPSUs, which have been appointed to meet the professional support and training needs of Indigenous-run child care services, will conduct a needs analysis to determine the specific professional support and training needs of staff in Indigenous-run child care services in their region.

The needs analysis is ongoing and is reported annually to inform an annual professional support and training implementation plan.		 Indigenous Professional Support Units (internal) No Ongoing
Children's Policy & Program Branch Evaluation of the Stronger Families and Communities Strategy 2000 - 2004

(4 papers)		 The overall objective of the evaluation of the Strategy is to understand what works for whom and why in relation to strategic interventions designed to strengthen families and communities. RMIT UNIVERSITY

C.I.R.C.L.E. (Collaborative Institute for Research, Consulting & Learning in Evaluation)		   Early 2007
  Lessons Learnt about Strengthening Indigenous Families and Communities: What's Working and What's Not     Will be made public when finalised  
  Hervey Bay Indigenous Leadership Project     Will be made public when finalised.  
  Mandurah Targeted Region     Will be made public when finalised.  
  A Case Study of the Mukulyanytjulu Walykumunu Kaniyinma Project in the Ngaanyatijarra Lands     Approval is still being sought to allow the document to be released to the public.  
Australian Institute of Family Studies          

Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination -OIPC
Name of agency Research title Research Objective Consultants name Will the report be available to other cth depts Expected completion date
  Mobility and migration in the East Kimberly To ascertain whether further research in the area of mobility is required. Gary Johns ACIL Tasman No September 2006
Performance and Information Planning. Implementation of Agreements and Treaties with Indigenous and Local Peoples in Postcolonial States. The ARC process ensures that projects are high quality and viable across the proposed time frame. The Researcher maintains intellectual property rights on the research. FaCSIA provides expertise in all cases and funding in some cases.

The aim of the project is to conduct research into agreement making processes, including factors associated with promoting long-term sustainability of agreements and to expand the ATNS database.		 University of Melbourne ARC Linkage project with OIPC and Rio Tinto. Yes Reports will be released throughout project. Please refer to atns website
Performance and Information Planning. Understanding and developing effective governance in Indigenous communities Indigenous Community Governance: Understanding, Building and Sustaining Effective Governance in Rural, Remote and Urban Indigenous Communities.

ARC linkage grant.		 Reconciliation Australia and CAEPR Yes 2007
Performance and Information Planning. DKCRC was set up to provide research to generate new economic options for desert Australian. DKCRC aims to enhance scientific and technological capabilities and support scientific research in higher education institutions, CSIRO and other Commonwealth and State Government research organisations and in the private sector; and encourage applications of science and technology in industry. Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre (DKCRC) Yes Reports will be released throughout project. Please refer to Desert Knowledge website
Performance and Information Planning. MCATSIA Populations Projects CAEPR have been contracted for 3 years to conduct 4 inter-related projects on Indigenous demographic patterns and mobility including the development of a specialised Census survey tool to monitor and measure mobility patterns. CAEPR Yes Reports will be released throughout project. MCATSIA website

Project will run 2007/08 to 2009/10.

Prime Minister and Cabinet

No Indigenous research undertaken


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