Artwork from the strategy. The central meeting place depicted is the coming together of the Australian Government, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health peak organisations, and state and territory governments. The surrounding meeting places represent the seven pillars of food security. Image: Jordan Lovegrove; NIAA

Despite living in one of the most food-secure nations in the world, many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in remote Australia continue to face daily struggles to access healthy, affordable food. A new 10-year national strategy is hoping to change that.

Launched after extensive community consultation, the National Strategy for Food Security in Remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities (2025–2035) brings together the voices of First Nations people, government partners, and the ACCHO sector to address the urgent issue of food insecurity — a key contributor to chronic disease, poor mental health, and shortened life expectancy.

“Food insecurity is a deeply concerning issue, which contributes to poorer health outcomes for First Nations people in remote communities,” said Minister for Indigenous Australians Senator the Hon Malarndirri McCarthy.

“People who face food insecurity are often more reliant on cheaper convenience foods, which can be nutrient poor and calorie dense.

“This is because there is limited storage and cooking facilities, as well as less income to support long term meal planning and purchases. Too much of these foods contributes to increased risk of obesity and malnutrition, low birth weight, ill health in infancy and childhood, chronic disease and poor mental health.”

The Strategy responds with a holistic, systems-based approach grounded in cultural knowledge and aligned with the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

The Strategy features seven pillars:

  • Country and Culture — Supporting traditional food practices and land access.
  • Health and Nutrition — Building local nutrition workforces and health literacy.
  • Housing, Infrastructure and Environmental Health — Ensuring homes support safe food preparation and storage.
  • Families and Community — Supporting local food production, services, and emergency relief.
  • Remote Retail — Ensuring community-controlled stores stock affordable, nutritious food.
  • Supply Chains — Strengthening transport networks to guarantee year-round food access.
  • Healthy Economies — Enhancing local employment and food enterprise opportunities.

Whether it’s investing in on-Country food projects, strengthening remote stores, or supporting local food enterprises, the strategy champions self-determination. Communities will not only shape local solutions but lead them.

A governing body will be established to oversee implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Strategy. This body will comprise Commonwealth and jurisdictional government representatives, as well as representatives from relevant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled organisations. The governing body’s first task will be to develop an action plan to support the seven pillars of the Strategy.

To read the strategy, visit the National Indigenous Australians Agency website.