Connected Beginnings is supporting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children at 50 sites across Australia.
On this page:
About
Connected Beginnings is a grants program that helps Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children get the best start to life.
Connected Beginnings sites:
- are community owned and led
- improve access to existing early childhood, maternal and child health services
- ensure children are safe, healthy and ready to thrive at school by the age of 5.
The sites are run by backbone organisations. Backbone teams work with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community members and organisations to co-design goals and solutions to support children.
SNAICC – National Voice for our Children supports the program as the Community Partner. SNAICC helps guide the approach on the ground for community-led and culturally safe early childhood projects.
Connected Beginnings sites have been set up in all states and territories.
Find a Connected Beginnings site
Northern Territory
| 1 | Location: Alice Springs Backbone organisation: Central Australian Aboriginal Congress Established: 2016 |
| 2 | Location: Tennant Creek Backbone organisation: NT Department of Education (Tennant Creek Primary School) Established: 2017 |
| 3 | Location: Galiwin'ku Backbone organisation: NT Department of Education (Shepherdson College) Established: 2016 |
| 4 | Location: Angurugu Backbone organisation: NT Department of Education (Angurugu School) Established: 2018 |
| 5 | Location: Katherine Backbone organisation: Kalano Community Association Established: 2022 |
| 6 | Location: Ngukurr Backbone organisation: Yugul Mangi Development Aboriginal Corporation Established: 2023 |
Queensland
| 7 | Location: Doomadgee Backbone organisation: 54 reasons Established: 2016 |
| 8 | Location: Rasmussen Backbone organisation: Community Gro Inc Established: 2020 |
| 9 | Location: Mareeba Backbone organisation: Mulungu Aboriginal Corporation Established: 2021 |
| 10 | Location: Eagleby Backbone organisation: Beenleigh Housing and Development Company Established: 2022 |
| 11 | Location: Mackay Backbone organisation: Mackay and Region Aboriginal and Islander Development Association Established: 2022 |
| 12 | Location: Maryborough Backbone organisation: Moonaboola Community Development Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation Established: 2023 |
| 13 | Location: Hervey Bay Backbone organisation: Central Queensland Indigenous Development Limited Established: 2023 |
| 14 | Location: Cairns Backbone organisation: Wuchopperen Health Service Limited Established: 2023 |
| 15 | Location: Bundaberg Backbone organisation: The Trustee for Port Curtis Coral Coast Aboriginal Peoples Charitable Trust Established: 2023 |
| 16 | Location: Rockhampton Backbone organisation: Bidgerdii Community Health Service Established: 2023 |
| 17 | Location: Ipswich Backbone organisation: Kummara Limited Established: 2024 |
South Australia
| 18 | Location: Port Augusta Backbone organisation: Marnbi Aboriginal Corporation auspiced by Kura Yerlo Incorporated Established: 2017 |
| 19 | Location: Ceduna Backbone organisation: SA Department for Education (Ngura Yadurirn Children and Family Centre) Established: 2017 |
| 20 | Location: Salisbury Playford Backbone organisation: SA Department for Education (Kaurna Plains Children's Centre) Established: 2022 |
| 21 | Location: Port Adelaide Backbone organisation: Kura Yerlo Incorporated Established: 2024 |
Victoria
| 22 | Location: Shepparton Backbone organisation: Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative Limited Established: 2021 |
| 23 | Location: Mildura Backbone organisation: Mildura Primary School Established: 2017 |
| 24 | Location: Whittlesea Backbone organisation: Bubup Wilam Aboriginal Child and Family Centre and Yappera Children’s Service Established: 2022 |
| 25 | Location: Ballarat Backbone organisation: Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative Limited Established: 2024 |
| 26 | Location: Bairnsdale Backbone organisation: Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-operative Limited Established: 2024 |
New South Wales
| 27 | Location: Doonside Backbone organisation: Ngroo Education Aboriginal Corporation Established: 2017 |
| 28 | Location: Mount Druitt Backbone organisation: Ngroo Education Aboriginal Corporation Established: 2018 |
| 29 | Location: Taree Backbone organisation: NSW Department of Education (Taree Public School) Established: 2019 |
| 30 | Location: Bourke Backbone organisation: Bourke & District Children's Services Established: 2020 |
| 31 | Location: Wagga Wagga Backbone organisation: Playgroups NSW Established: 2022 |
| 32 | Location: Broken Hill Backbone organisation: Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation Established: 2023 |
| 33 | Location: Gosford Backbone organisation: Barang Regional Alliance Established: 2024 |
| 34 | Location: Wyong Backbone organisation: Barang Regional Alliance Established: 2024 |
| 35 | Location: Kempsey Backbone organisation: Dalagiur Pre-school & Children’s Services Aboriginal Corporation Established: 2024 |
| 36 | Location: Dubbo Backbone organisation: Three Rivers Regional Alliance (TRRA) Aboriginal Corporation Established: 2024 |
Western Australia
| 37 | Location: Kalgoorlie Backbone organisation: Wanslea Limited Established: 2018 |
| 38 | Location: Roebourne Backbone organisation: WA Department of Communities (6718 Yandi for Change) Established: 2020 |
| 39 | Location: Derby Backbone organisation: Ngunga Women's Group Aboriginal Corporation Established: 2019 |
| 40 | Location: Bidyadanga Backbone organisation: The Minderoo Foundation Established: 2021 |
| 41 | Location: Armadale West Backbone organisation: The Minderoo Foundation Established: 2021 |
| 42 | Location: Central Great Southern (Katanning) Backbone organisation: The Minderoo Foundation Established: 2021 |
| 43 | Location: Kununurra Backbone organisation: Binarri-binyja yarrawoo Aboriginal Corporation Established: 2025 |
| 44 | Location: South Hedland Backbone organisation: Julyardi Aboriginal Corporation Established: 2022 |
| 45 | Location: Geraldton Backbone organisation: Bundiyarra Aboriginal Community Aboriginal Corporation Established: 2022 |
Tasmania
| 46 | Location: Bridgewater/Gagebrook Backbone organisation: Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation Established: 2018 |
| 47 | Location: Burnie Backbone organisation: Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation Established: 2021 |
| 48 | Location: George Town Backbone organisation: Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation Established: 2021 |
Australian Capital Territory
| 49 | Location: Canberra – Yerrabi Yurwang Backbone organisation: Yerrabi Yurwang Child and Family Aboriginal Corporation Established: 2022 |
| 50 | Location: Canberra – Winnunga Nimmityjah Backbone organisation: Winnunga Nimmityjah Health and Community Services Ltd Established: 2025 |
More information
If you have questions about the program, email connectedbeginnings@education.gov.au.
Subscribe to our newsletter and join our Facebook group to get the latest news and updates.