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Federal
Corporate Commonwealth Entity
Indigenous Affairs

Torres Strait Regional Authority

Portfolio: Prime Minister and Cabinet

http://www.tsra.gov.au

Annual Budget

$73M

2026-27 Budget (Budget Paper No. 4)
+17.5%vs prior year ($62M)
Total Revenue

$80M

2024-25 Total Revenue
Staff

250

Headcount (2024-25)
Budget Commentary

Notable upward shift in 2026-27 funding (+17.5%, $11M change). 2025-26 estimated actual $62M → 2026-27 budget $73M. Source: Budget Paper No. 4, Agency Resourcing tables.

Ideas relevant to this department

8 tagged

Reform proposals on YourGov that name this department as a delivery partner — drawn from citizen voice, government strategy, research, international examples and gap analysis.

STRATEGY SUMMARY

The TSRA’s purpose is aligned to the Portfolio Budget Statement Outcome1: Indigenous Affairs. As a statutory agency established under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2005, the TSRA operates under the direction of a democratically elected Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal Board, comprising of 20 members representing the communities of the region. The TSRA operates within the Prime Minister and Cabinet portfolio and works closely with the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) to provide greater autonomy and improve the lives of Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal peoples living in the Torres Strait region, by contributing to a healthier, safer and more prosperous region.

VISION

EMPOWERING OUR PEOPLE, IN OUR DECISION, IN OUR CULTURE, FOR OUR FUTURE

Corporate Plan 2023-24 · p.6

PURPOSE

The TSRA’s purpose is aligned to the Portfolio Budget Statement Outcome1: Indigenous Affairs. As a statutory agency established under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2005, the TSRA operates under the direction of a democratically elected Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal Board, comprising of 20 members representing the communities of the region. The TSRA operates within the Prime Minister and Cabinet portfolio and works closely with the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) to provide greater autonomy and improve the lives of Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal peoples living in the Torres Strait region, by contributing to a healthier, safer and more prosperous region.

Corporate Plan 2023-24 · p.4

Strategic priorities

· 1

1

Closing the Gap for Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people living in the Torres Strait region

Corporate Plan 2023-24 · p.4

Outcomes

· 7

Outcome 1: Indigenous culture and heritage

Protect, promote, revitalise and maintain Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal traditions and cultural heritage.

KEY ACTIVITIES

  • Protecting, promoting, revitalising and maintaining Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal traditions and cultural heritage.
  • Preserving and promoting Indigenous languages.
  • Working in partnership with Traditional Owners, and supporting TSRA Registered Native Title and Prescribed Bodies Corporate in the Protected Zone Joint Authority (PZJA) management and priority to focal industry sectors and addressing ecological enablers.

Outcome 2: Economic development

Enhance the region’s wealth by creating sustainable industries and increasing employment opportunities for our people equivalent to the wider Australian community.

KEY ACTIVITIES

  • Enhancing the region’s wealth by creating sustainable industries.
  • Increasing employment opportunities for our people.
  • Providing business training and support for Indigenous business and economic growth.

Outcome 3: Environmental management

To protect the ecological complexity and biodiversity of the Torres Strait region, and the strong and enduring connection of Torres Strait Islander people to their islands and sea.

KEY ACTIVITIES

  • To protect the ecological complexity and biodiversity of the Torres Strait region.
  • Managing and maintaining sustainable fishing industries.
  • Supporting TSRA Registered Native Title and Prescribed Bodies Corporate in the Protected Zone Joint Authority (PZJA) management and priority to focal industry sectors and addressing ecological enablers.

Outcome 4: Governance and leadership

Effective and transparent governance, while promoting strong leadership in the region.

KEY ACTIVITIES

  • Managing the TSRA’s internal structures, including secretariat support for the region.
  • Monitoring the rollout of essential services to support healthy communities.
  • Creating regional leadership capability through targeted leadership development opportunities.

Outcome 5: Healthy communities

Improve the health and wellbeing of Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal families and individuals residing in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area.

KEY ACTIVITIES

  • Improving the health and wellbeing of Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal families and individuals.
  • Supporting preventative healthcare, legal and social support services in the region.
  • Building and strengthening safe, healthy, and respectful communities based on cultural, Ailan Kastom and Aboriginal traditions.

Outcome 6: Regional infrastructure

Effective and efficient management of the Major Infrastructure Programme and the Trust activities in partnership with stakeholders and the elected membership.

KEY ACTIVITIES

  • Providing advocacy and support services for the delivery of identified infrastructure projects.
  • Implementing the Regional Infrastructure Advisory Commi(cid:31)ee’s (RIAC) Action Plan in line with workplan milestones.

Outcome 7: Safe communities

Safe, healthy, respectful, and progressive communities, based on cultural, Ailan Kastom and Aboriginal traditions.

KEY ACTIVITIES

  • Improvement in the quality and access to social and legal services.
  • Implementation and monitoring of legal services model.
  • Maintain support for social support services.

Values

· 5

empowerment

integrity

respect

sustainability

collaboration

Performance measures

· 5

CodeMeasureTarget 2025-26Latest resultStatus

CCE01

Increase in the number of artists and cultural practitioners in the industry

Maintain/increase number of active artists

Corporate Plan 2023-24 · p.17

Target met

Achieved

CCE02

Maintain community-based management plans for each community

Maintain community plans

Corporate Plan 2023-24 · p.18

Target met

Achieved

CCE03

Increase in the percentage of total allowable catch of finfish/tropical rock lobster (TRL) caught by Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people

Maintain/increase % of total allowable catch caught

Corporate Plan 2023-24 · p.18

Target met

Achieved

CCE04

Increase the level of engagement of elected Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal leaders in policy development and decision-making

Increase the level of Chair and Board involvement in TSRA-led meetings related to portfolio responsibilities

Corporate Plan 2023-24 · p.19

Increase in breadth of topics covered in meetings with State and Australian Government Ministers

Achieved

CCE05

Improve monitoring of the effectiveness of health service delivery in the region

Maintain/increase TSRA participation in health commi(cid:31)ees, forums and government meetings

Corporate Plan 2023-24 · p.20

Improved monitoring of the effectiveness of health service delivery

Achieved

Ideas distilled from this entity's strategy & evidence

· 8

Procurement & Delivery

Streamline Fisheries Asset Transfer

Simplify and expedite the legal process for transferring ownership of fisheries assets as per PZJA approval.

Impact: High
Effort: High
Large

2023-24.pages.jsonl

Culture & Participation

Cultural Heritage Workshops

Conduct regular workshops to promote and preserve traditional languages and cultural practices.

Impact: Medium
Effort: Medium
Small

2023-24.pages.jsonl

Citizen Services

Integrated Service Delivery

Integrate social and legal services to provide a one-stop-shop for residents, improving access and efficiency.

Impact: High
Effort: High
Large

2023-24.pages.jsonl

Economic Development

Regional Business Incubation Program

Establish a business incubation program to support start-ups and small businesses in the region.

Impact: High
Effort: High
Large

2023-24.pages.jsonl

Environmental Management

Enhanced Fisheries Sustainability Monitoring

Implement advanced monitoring systems to ensure sustainable fishing practices.

Impact: Medium
Effort: Medium
Medium

2023-24.pages.jsonl

Healthy Communities

Health Service Evaluation

Conduct an evaluation of health service delivery to identify areas for improvement.

Impact: Medium
Effort: Low
Small

2023-24.pages.jsonl

Citizen Participation

Community Engagement Platform

Develop an online platform to enhance community engagement and feedback mechanisms.

Impact: Medium
Effort: Medium
Medium

2023-24.pages.jsonl

Culture & Participation

Cultural Values Planning

Implement a planning process that incorporates traditional cultural values into regional development projects.

Impact: Medium
Effort: Medium
Small

2023-24.pages.jsonl

Procurement & Delivery

Streamline Fisheries Asset Transfer

Simplify and expedite the legal process for transferring ownership of fisheries assets as per PZJA approval.

Impact: High
Effort: High
Large

2023-24.pages.jsonl

Culture & Participation

Cultural Heritage Workshops

Conduct regular workshops to promote and preserve traditional languages and cultural practices.

Impact: Medium
Effort: Medium
Small

2023-24.pages.jsonl

Citizen Services

Integrated Service Delivery

Integrate social and legal services to provide a one-stop-shop for residents, improving access and efficiency.

Impact: High
Effort: High
Large

2023-24.pages.jsonl

Economic Development

Regional Business Incubation Program

Establish a business incubation program to support start-ups and small businesses in the region.

Impact: High
Effort: High
Large

2023-24.pages.jsonl

Environmental Management

Enhanced Fisheries Sustainability Monitoring

Implement advanced monitoring systems to ensure sustainable fishing practices.

Impact: Medium
Effort: Medium
Medium

2023-24.pages.jsonl

Healthy Communities

Health Service Evaluation

Conduct an evaluation of health service delivery to identify areas for improvement.

Impact: Medium
Effort: Low
Small

2023-24.pages.jsonl

Citizen Participation

Community Engagement Platform

Develop an online platform to enhance community engagement and feedback mechanisms.

Impact: Medium
Effort: Medium
Medium

2023-24.pages.jsonl

Culture & Participation

Cultural Values Planning

Implement a planning process that incorporates traditional cultural values into regional development projects.

Impact: Medium
Effort: Medium
Small

2023-24.pages.jsonl

Legislation administered

· 5

Act

2005

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2005

The entity administers and has primary responsibility for this Act.

Instrument

2019

Torres Strait Development Plan

The entity implements and administers this plan.

Instrument

1994

Torres Strait Regional Development Agreement

The entity administers and implements this agreement.

Act

1994

Torres Strait Regional Authority Act 1994

The entity administers and has primary responsibility for this Act.

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