The State Party is undertaking an Expression of Interest (EOI) process to allocate grant funding to Aboriginal Controlled Community Organisations (ACCO). The funding is intended to support, strengthen and empower prospective Aboriginal Representative Organisations (ARO) to carry out functions in child protection legislation and compete in future tender processes to implement AROs statewide. The activities funded through this grants program may also support ACCOs to build capacity and be competitive in other child protection procurement processes underway, including Earlier Intervention and Family Support service delivery and independent reporting for Special Guardianship Orders.

Criteria for what will constitute an approved ARO for the purpose of carrying out functions under the Act once they commence operation will be defined in regulations. However, the term ‘representative organisation’ reinforces the need for these Aboriginal organisations to be placed-based, and therefore to hold relevant knowledge of the child, the child’s family or the child’s community, to support culturally connected placements and strong cultural support plans.

More details regarding the Legislative Framework for AROs can be found at Attachment 1.

The State Party is seeking applications from interested ACCOs to fund activities that will strengthen and build their capacity to carry out ARO functions under the Act and enable the implementation of AROs statewide.

Individual ACCOs can apply for a maximum of $50,000.

A briefing session will be held at 5 Newman Court, Fremantle .

Respondents are required to have attended ONE of the following mandatory virtual briefing sessions, which will include presentations from the pilot AROs, Aarnja Ltd and Yorganop Association.

11:00am – 1:00pm Thursday, 23 March 2023

11:00am – 1:00pm Friday, 24 March 2023

11:00am – 1:00pm Tuesday, 28 March 2023

Respondents will need to register their intention to attend a briefing session by 5:00pm of the preceding day by email to aropilotproject@communities.wa.gov.au

Attendance at the briefing is a pre-requisite to submission and consideration of a bid.