Establishing a National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Body to address Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence
The story so far
For years the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled sector has been calling for the establishment of a National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Body to address Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence.
In 2023, the Australian Government acted on these calls and included the establishment of a Peak Body as a key action in the dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan 2023–2025 (Action Plan) under the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2021-2031.
In May 2025, the Department of Social Services engaged the Coalition of Peaks Secretariat, on behalf of the sector, to lead the establishment of the Peak Body, building on decades of advocacy by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the expertise of community-controlled organisations and the strong foundation of existing peak bodies.
The Peak Body will work to improve safety and wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and contribute to achieving Target 13 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap – reducing family violence against First Nations women and children by at least 50% by 2031.
Project timelines
This work is a sector priority and is progressing quickly. The Peak Body will be functionally operational by the end of the year and formally launched in March. Key milestones include:
May 2025 - Project commenced
July 2025 – Establishment Steering Committee stood up
September 2025 – October 2025 – Sector engagement completed
November 2025 – CEO recruitment underway
December 2025 – Peak Body operational
March 2026 – Peak Body Official Launch
What we’re doing
The Coalition of Peaks Secretariat is working to establish a new National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Body to address Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence.
This involves designing the Peak Body’s scope and operating model, incorporating the organisation and getting the Peak Body operational so it can begin its work to support our services and communities.
We know the Peak Body must reflect and represent the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, services and sectors it will support. This is why the project is being overseen by an Establishment Steering Committee of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sector leaders and sector engagement will inform the Peak Body’s scope and operating model.
Who’s involved in the project
The establishment of the Peak Body is being overseen by an Establishment Steering Committee. The Committee includes:
8 representatives from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled sector
1 representative from the Our Ways – Strong Ways – Our Voices Steering Committee
1 representative from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council on family, domestic and sexual violence, and
1 representative from the Coalition of Peaks Secretariat
We’ve also engaged King & Wood Mallesons to provide us with legal and governance advice to set the Peak Body up for success.
The Peak Body’s functions, priorities and operating model will also be heavily shaped and informed by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled sector. More information on sector engagement and how you can be involved is outlined below.
Hearing from the Sector
Throughout September and October 2025, we engaged with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled sector to seek input and feedback on the scope and operating model for the new Peak Body to address family, domestic and sexual violence.
This engagement built on what the sector has said before in other national consultation processes. Using those insights as a starting point, we developed the Peak Body’s draft vision, purpose, functions, membership criteria and governance model and took that to the sector to see what they thought.
In September and October 2025, we delivered:
8 community controlled sector-specific workshops across health, legal and justice, specialist services (including services for men), child and family services* and peak bodies
3 online national workshops open to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations, and
A national online survey (open from 17 September to 17 October), which was open to everyone and gathered valuable insights from victim-survivors, community members, front-line workers, and researchers.
We deeply appreciate the time, expertise and perspectives shared by participants across the sector. Your contributions are helping shape a strong, representative and effective Peak Body that reflects the needs and priorities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
*The engagement with child and family services was delivered as part of the SNAICC National Conference.
Recruitment
From October 2025 to March 2026, we'll be recruiting for the new Peak Body. We’re looking for passionate, highly skilled people who want to be part of lasting, community-led change.
Chief Executive Officer – Recruitment Closed
Chief Operating Officer – OPENING SOON
Policy & Research Manager – OPENING SOON
Communications & Engagement Manager – OPENING SOON