About SNAICC – National Voice for our Children
SNAICC – National Voice for our Children is the national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled peak body organisation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. Our work continues a legacy of more than 40 years of community leadership, grounded in over 65,000 years of care, nurture and cultural knowledge. We work to ensure every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child and young person grows up strong and thriving in culture, raised within strong families and self-determining communities, and are empowered to reach their full potential.
Our role and purpose
As the national, non-government, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander led peak body organisation, our role is to amplify the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families, communities and the sector at a national level. We advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people’s right to shape the systems that affect their lives, and to be connected to family, community, Country and culture. We represent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families to all levels of government, provide independent advice and influence strategy, policy and legislation to drive long-term systems and structural change.
Our advocacy, sector development and policy work are grounded in the fulfilment of the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people. Guided by culturally led, self-determined and evidence based approaches, we work to uphold Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children’s safety, wellbeing and development. Our focus reflects our cultural ways and Lore, recognising the holistic needs, rights and aspirations of children and the central role of families and communities.
Our Strategic Priorities
In line with our strategic priorities, we drive national action on systems reform, strengthen the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled sector and lead knowledge, evidence and data practices that support better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children children and families.
We actively work towards this by:
- strengthening Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations through workshops, resources and training,
- conducting research and translating evidence into strong policy advice for governments,
- amplifying the collective voice of our members and calling for structural and cultural change,
- partnering with community-controlled organisations, NGOs and non-Indigenous services to improve service design and delivery,
- participating in national committees and forums to advocate for children and families,
- building national understanding and sharing knowledge through initiatives such as National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day, Family Matters and the biennial SNAICC Conference.
Our Strategic Plan 2025–2028
SNAICC champions the principles of community control and self-determination as the foundation for sustained improvements for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. Since the signing of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap in July 2020, demand for SNAICC’s expertise, knowledge and services has grown significantly as we support the implementation of priority reforms under the National Agreement. While the landscape continues to shift, our purpose remains urgent and constant: it is the birthright of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to thrive in culture, be raised within strong families and self-determining communities, and be empowered to reach their full potential. Our Strategic Plan 2025–2028 outlines this vision for our children and young people, as well as the strategic steps we will take over the next three years to get there.
Strategic Plan 2025–2028
Our Story
Since 1981, SNAICC – National Voice for our Children has been working for the fulfilment of the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children across Australia, and the self-determination of communities to ensure their identity, wellbeing, safety, development and connection to culture.
Our Story
Resources & Training
We facilitate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander created and delivered training programs and design a comprehensive list of resources to further support our children, families and communities.
Resources
Children's Day
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day is held annually on 4 August and is our day dedicated to celebrating our children.
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Kids, Culture, Community Podcast
Kids, Culture, Community is the official SNAICC Yarns podcast amplifying the voices, stories and knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities across Australia.
Kids, Culture, CommunityOur members are our strength
SNAICC’s national membership brings together more than 200 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled and community-based organisations, including child care agencies, Multifunctional Aboriginal Children’s Services, crèches, long day care centres, preschools, early childhood education services, early childhood support organisations, family support services, foster care and family reunification services, family group homes, youth services, community groups and voluntary associations.
For decades, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations have led the way in delivering holistic and culturally strong supports for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. For millennia before that, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have raised children through deep connection to family, community, Country and culture. We know that when families have equitable access to high-quality, culturally safe supports and when communities have control over the decisions that shape their lives, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children thrive. Strong, self-determining communities are the foundation of holistic, wrap-around reform for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.
Strengthening and prioritising the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled sector is essential to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children’s futures. It is also central to the strength and legitimacy of SNAICC as the national voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.
Membership Map
Marulu
Marulu is a Bunuba word. It means precious, worth nurturing. Every child is precious, and each child deserves to be loved, nurtured, supported, and safe.
As the national peak SNAICC continues to pursue and strive for a society where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children’s voices and needs are prioritised in a community, program, and policy setting. SNAICC is represented as the main circle image in this piece. The inner circle images are the core business and work of SNAICC through its people, both its workers and the governing board. The outer layer images represent the various existing State and Territory Peaks and lead organisations.
The flow of this piece speaks about our journey, ensuring that our children are loved, nurtured, supported and safe, and they are represented by the small dots. The larger circles and dots are representative of the various programs, policies, and reform priorities that SNAICC works with or is leading as their role as the national peak and voice for our children.
Illustrated and designed by Tovani Cox, a proud Bunuba, Gija, Karajarri, Yawuru, and Miriwoong woman from the Kimberley region of Western Australia.
Child & Family Safety
Child & Family Safety illustration represents the importance of kinship and the importance of cultural identity that provide stability and belonging for our families and children.
You can find this illustration throughout the SNAICC website representative of areas of the organisation that come under child and family safety, namely Safe & Supported, the Child Placement Principle, Improving Multidisciplinary Responses Program and Believe Inquire Respond to Disclosures.
Illustrated and designed by Leticia Anne a proud Wiradjuri Torres Strait Islander yinaa ‘woman’.
Culture & Identity
Culture & Identity illustration represents the importance that culture and identity have at SNAICC, serving as a reminder that our connection to country and community are an integral part of the organisation.
You can find this illustration throughout the SNAICC website representative of areas of the organisation that come under culture and identity, namely Children’s Day.
Illustrated and designed by Leticia Anne a proud Wiradjuri Torres Strait Islander yinaa ‘woman’.
Early Childhood Development
Early Childhood Development illustration represents the importance of the development stage of our children’s early years, showing our children in high quality early learning and culturally supported environments, as well as providing children with the opportunity to thrive.
You can find this illustration throughout the SNAICC website representative of areas of the organisation that come under early childhood development and early years programs, namely Connected Beginnings, Early Years Support, First Nations Playgroups and CCCFR Expansion Program.
Illustrated and designed by Leticia Anne a proud Wiradjuri Torres Strait Islander yinaa ‘woman’.
Closing the Gap
Closing the Gap illustration represents SNAICC’s involvement in representing children and families in closing the gap, recognising the importance of community support, as well as the support from other health and wellbeing providers.
You can find this illustration throughout the SNAICC website representative of areas of the organisation that come under closing the gap, namely the Early Childhood Care & Development Policy Partnership and the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
Illustrated and designed by Leticia Anne a proud Wiradjuri Torres Strait Islander yinaa ‘woman’.
Join Us
Be part of our advocacy efforts and stay informed about our initiatives.
Become a member today and add your voice to the cause.