AGY-7415 | Aboriginal Affairs NSW

Full description

From 1 July 2009 the former Department of Aboriginal Affairs was abolished as a Division of the Government Service and its functions were transferred to the new Principal Department, the Department of Human Services. (1)

As Aboriginal Affairs NSW, from 4 April 2011, it was transferred to the Principal Department, the Department of Education and Communities. (2)

From 1 July 2019 Aboriginal Affairs NSW was transferred to the Department of Premier and Cabinet. (3) It became part of the Community Engagement Group within the Department of Premier and Cabinet. (4)

Aboriginal Affairs NSW works with Aboriginal communities to promote social, economic and cultural well-being through opportunity, choice, healing, responsibility and empowerment. Aboriginal Affairs NSW implements OCHRE, the NSW Government’s plan for Aboriginal affairs, establishes partnerships for economic prosperity, supports effective Aboriginal community governance and strengthens cultural identity and language.

Aboriginal Affairs NSW also:

* values Aboriginal cultures
* embeds Aboriginal voices into its work.
* promotes Aboriginal people’s rights and interests.
* promotes healing and respect.
* recognises Aboriginal leadership and empowerment. (5)

There are five directorates within Aboriginal Affairs NSW, each led by a Director.

* Land and Economy
* Strategy and Coordination
* Healing and Government Relations
* Partnerships and Operations
* Partnerships.

The Registrar of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act is an independent statutory appointment. The Registrar receives support from the Office of the Registrar Aboriginal Land Rights Act whose staff are Aboriginal Affairs employees. (6)

Aboriginal Affairs NSW has operated the Family Records Service since 2002 to help Aboriginal people in New South Wales to access records pertaining to themselves, or their ancestors, that are held in the archive collection of the former Aborigines Welfare Board (formerly known as the Aborigines Protection Board) and the Chief Secretary records relating to Aboriginal affairs. The records span the period from 1890 to 1969. (7)

Endnotes
1. Public Sector Employment and Management (Departmental Amalgamations) Order 2009 (2009 No 352) cls. 13; notified on NSW Legislation website, 27 July 2009.
2. Public Sector Employment and Management (Departments) Order 2011 (2011 No 184) cls. 24; notified on NSW Legislation website, 3 April 2011.
3. Administrative Arrangements (Administrative Changes - Public Service Agencies) Order 2019 (2019 No 159), cl. 16 (1); NSW Legislation Website 2 April 2019.
4. Aboriginal Affairs NSW website, https://www.aboriginalaffairs.nsw.gov.au/our-agency/about-us/nsw-department-of-premier-and-cabinet/ (accessed 20 October 2021).
5. Aboriginal Affairs NSW website, ttps://www.aboriginalaffairs.nsw.gov.au/our-agency/about-us/our-vision-and-values/ (accessed 20 October 2021).
6. Aboriginal Affairs NSW website, https://www.aboriginalaffairs.nsw.gov.au/our-agency/about-us/our-structure/ (accessed 20 October 2021).
7. Aboriginal Affairs NSW website, https://www.aboriginalaffairs.nsw.gov.au/healing-and-reparations/family-records-service/ (accessed 20 October 2021).