Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research

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​Closing the Gap

The Closing the Gap framework is an Australian government strategy that aims to reduce disadvantage among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The objective of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap (the National Agreement) is to enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and governments to work together to overcome the inequality experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and achieve life outcomes equal to all Australians.

The National Agreement has 17 national socio-economic targets across areas that have an impact on life outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Three of the targets relate to crime and justice.

Target

​Outcome

BOCSAR resources

​Target 10

Adults are not overrepresented in the criminal justice system

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By 2031, reduce the rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults held in incarceration by at least 15 per cent.

​Slide deck: What is driving Aboriginal adult incarceration in NSW? (PowerPoint)

Slide deck: Comparing the strength of different levers in reducing Aboriginal adult incarceration - indicative impact analysis (PowerPoint)

Data file: Aboriginal adults contacts with the Justice system by region (Excel)

Quarterly Report: NSW Criminal Justice Aboriginal over-representation - Adults (pdf)

​Target 10: Aboriginal adults in prisonLGE-Target10.png

Target 11

Young people are not overrepresented in the criminal justice system

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By 2031, reduce the rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people (10-17 years) in detention by 30 per cent.


Slide deck: Aboriginal youth detention (PowerPoint)​

Data file: Young Aboriginal contacts with the Justice system by region (Excel)

Quarterly Report: NSW Criminal Justice Aboriginal over-representation - Young People (pdf)

Target 11: Aboriginal youth in custody


​Target 13

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and households are safe




​By 2031, the rate of all forms of family violence and abuse against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children is reduced at least by 50%, as progress towards zero.
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Slide deck: Domestic and family violence in NSW: An Aboriginal focus (PowerPoint)

Target 13: Aboriginal female and young victims of domestic violence

From Jan 2022 it has been mandatory for NSW Police to record the Aboriginality status of victims of crime. This has resulted in a noticeable increase in the number of Aboriginal victims in 2022 compared with pre-2022.


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