Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family-Led Decision Making: Summary Evidence Review

May 2026

Full Report:

Download the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family-Led Decision Making: Summary Evidence Review [pdf]

Download the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family-Led Decision Making: Summary Evidence Review [docx]

Executive Summary:

Download the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family-Led Decision Making: Summary Evidence Review – Executive Summary [pdf]

Overview

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family-Led Decision Making (AFLDM) is a family-centric, rights- and relationship-based cultural practice that centres voice and choice for Aboriginal children and families, not shame and blame.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family-Led Decision Making: Summary Evidence Review (the Evidence Review) draws on Australian and international research, alongside insights from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander practitioners, leaders and community-controlled organisations. The Evidence Review examines how AFLDM is implemented across jurisdictions, the conditions required for effective and culturally safe practice and the evidence relating to outcomes for children, young people and families. It also considers the role of legislation, policy, funding, workforce capability, cultural governance and community control in shaping implementation quality, while identifying systemic barriers such as underfunding, gatekeeping, workforce instability and ongoing statutory overreach.

The Evidence Review highlights that AFLDM is most effective when it is Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led, culturally grounded, adequately resourced and embedded across the full child and family wellbeing continuum. This includes prevention and early intervention, rather than limited or crisis-driven use at the point of potential removal. When implemented well, AFLDM supports self-determination, strengthens implementation of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle, amplifies children and young people’s voices and strengthens connection to family, culture and community.

What is Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family-Led Decision Making?

AFLDM is grounded in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kinship systems and collective approaches to decision making.

AFLDM is designed to challenge entrenched power imbalances in the child protection system by shifting authority from statutory decision makers back to families, kin and communities and creating culturally safe spaces where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander concepts of family, belonging and responsibility are recognised and upheld.

While contemporary practice has been influenced by Family Group Conferencing models developed in Aotearoa New Zealand, AFLDM has been adapted and strengthened through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural knowledge systems, kinship structures and community-led governance.

Rather than decisions being made for families by the statutory system, AFLDM brings together children, parents, carers, extended family, Elders, community members and relevant services to collectively develop and agree on solutions. These solutions prioritise children’s safety, wellbeing, belonging and cultural connection. Effective AFLDM processes ensure children and young people are central to decision making, that their voices and wishes are heard and that their strengths, identities and experiences are actively respected throughout the process.

What’s the problem?

While evidence shows AFLDM can achieve strong outcomes when properly implemented, current approaches across Australia are inconsistent, underfunded and uneven across jurisdictions. In many cases, AFLDM is introduced too late in the system, often at the point of crisis or removal, rather than being embedded earlier as a preventive and relational practice.

Structural constraints continue to undermine effectiveness and include high workloads, workforce turnover, gatekeeping of referrals, limited facilitator authority and weak integration with broader family support services. In this context, families may experience AFLDM as constrained or procedural rather than genuinely family-led. Additionally, where governments retain high levels of control over implementation, AFLDM risks becoming tokenistic and disconnected from its intended purpose.

What’s the solution?

SNAICC recommends AFLDM be established as the default approach for significant child protection decision making, supported by strong legislation, nationally consistent standards and culturally grounded workforce training.

AFLDM should be embedded across the entire child and family wellbeing continuum, from pregnancy and early intervention through to reunification and ongoing planning, rather than being reserved for crisis response. Children and young people’s voices and wishes must remain central to all AFLDM processes, with practitioners supported to uphold their right to participation in meaningful and culturally safe ways. AFLDM should also be recognised as an ongoing human right for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, not a discretionary or time-limited program.

Consistent with the 2025 Family Matters report, the Evidence Review reiterates the need to legislate AFLDM across all states and territories, ensure adequate resourcing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations to lead facilitation and embed AFLDM alongside integrated family support services that address families’ holistic needs.

What’s next?

The Evidence Review identifies the need for further long-term, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander governed research and evaluation to strengthen understanding of AFLDM implementation quality, outcomes and cultural integrity. The Evidence Review also considers further the importance of cost-benefit and social return on investment analysis to better understand the long-term value of AFLDM for children, families and systems.