Historic First Nations Economic Partnership
The government signed the First Nations Economic Partnership on 29 September 2025, committing $16.9 million for operation through 2030, $75 million for Prescribed Bodies Corporate, and $31 million for 12 Mobile TAFE services.
Integrity
Term 2
The Albanese Government signed the First Nations Economic Partnership on 29 September 2025, establishing a framework for shared decision-making on First Nations economic policy.
The government committed $16.9 million to fund the operation of the partnership through to 2030, supporting research, governance and policy design. An additional $75 million was allocated to support Prescribed Bodies Corporate, which manage Native Title rights and commercial negotiations for Traditional Owners.
The government also committed $31 million to establish 12 Mobile TAFE services, delivered in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations and state and territory governments. These services provide training on Country in areas including construction, maintenance, healthcare, hospitality, resources and renewable energy.
The partnership establishes a mechanism for shared decisions on reforms to First Nations economic policy. First priorities include exploring reforms to the funding model for Prescribed Bodies Corporate and examining how Special Investment Vehicles such as the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility and Australian Renewable Energy Agency can better deliver for First Nations communities.
Professor Peter Yu, Chair of the First Nations Economic Empowerment Alliance, stated that Australia has never had such an agreement and that the economic self-determination of Indigenous peoples has received little attention.
$16.9 million for partnership operation through 2030
$75 million for Prescribed Bodies Corporate
$31 million for 12 Mobile TAFE services
Signed by government, Coalition of Peaks and First Nations Economic Empowerment Alliance
Focus on shared decision-making on economic policy
[1] https://ministers.pmc.gov.au/mccarthy/2025/official-signing-first-nations-economic-partnership
[2] https://www.pm.gov.au/media/first-nations-economic-partnership
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