Shared Responsibility Agreements - Operational Guidelines

Shared Responsibility Agreements (SRAs) are voluntary written agreements around particular projects or activities, which set out what outcomes are to be achieved, and the agreed roles and responsibilities of Governments and Aboriginal communities.

SRAs were introduced to NSW in 2003 through the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) trial of new ways of delivering services to Aboriginal people in the Murdi Paaki region of Western NSW.

The NSW Government has developed Operational Guidelines for SRAs to guide state officers in assessing and negotiating SRAs, especially officers in the lead agency that will have primary carriage of a particular SRA.

Resources for negotiating SRAs

NSW government officers initiating or negotiating SRAs should be guided by several existing documents mentioned in the Guidelines:

Two Ways Together The NSW Government's Aboriginal Affairs Plan, 2003-2012.

Overarching Agreement on Aboriginal Affairs, between the NSW and Commonwealth Governments.

The COAG's National Framework of Principles for Delivering Services to Indigenous Australians, which is a guide to working with other agencies.

Information about the COAG's trial in the Murdi Paaki region of NSW.

Productivity Commission's report on Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantages: Key Indicators 2005.

SRAs should be developed in a manner that complements existing agreements between peak Aboriginal bodies and the NSW Government. These include the:

Aboriginal Justice Agreement between the Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee (AJAC) and the Attorney-General's Department.

NSW Aboriginal Health Partnership Agreement between the Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council (AHMRC) and the Department of Health.

Agreement on the Provision and Management of Housing and Housing Related Infrastructure for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People between the Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO) and the Department of Housing.

Partnership Agreement between the Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG) and the Department of Education and Training.

The NSW Government also works closely with the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) and the Aboriginal Child, Family & Community Care Secretariat (AbSec). SRAs involving activities relevant to these organisations should be developed in a manner that complements their services.