Final Report

  1. Home
  2. Final Report

Overview

Indigenous Voice Co-design Process Final Report CoverThe Indigenous Voice Co-design Process Final Report was provided to the Australian Government in late July 2021. The report builds on proposals from the Indigenous Voice Co-design Process Interim Report to the Australian Government.

From January 2021, the co-design members led a four-month public consultation and engagement process on the Interim Report proposals. There were opportunities around the country and online for people to have their say.

The co-design groups used the consultation feedback to help them finalise the proposals for the Final Report.

Read the Indigenous Voice Co-design Process Final Report to the Australian Government PDF (16 MB) or Word (25 MB).

You can also read Fact Sheets on the Resources page.

Proposal

The Final Report of the co-design process outlines an Indigenous Voice made up of two parts that work together: Local & Regional Voices and a National Voice.

The Indigenous Voice would provide a way for Indigenous Australians to have a greater say on the design, development and implementation of policies and programs that affect them.

It would also provide:

  • effective partnership mechanisms at the local and regional level for all governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians to work together and improve outcomes.
  • opportunities for the Australian Parliament and Government to seek advice on relevant federal laws, policies and programs from the National Voice. 
This image is an overview of the Final Report proposal for an Indigenous Voice made up of two parts that work together: Local & Regional Voices and a National Voice. Indigenous communities, organisations and bodies have a two-way connection to Local & Regional Voices, which have a flexible design based on 9 key principles. Local & Regional Voices have a two-way connection to a partnership table where they engage in advice and shared decision-making with all levels of government. All levels of government also have a two-way connection to the partnership table, and will take a coordinated approach. Local & Regional Voices have two-way communication with the National Voice on national issues. The National Voice has a structural membership link to Local & Regional Voices, with members selected by Local & Regional Voices to represent diverse perspectives. An Ethics Council reviews prospective members against eligibility requirements. The National Voice provides non-binding advice to the Australian Parliament and the Australian Government. This is part of a two-way connection between the Australian Parliament and the National Voice, and between the Australian Government and the National Voice.

Consultation and engagement

There were opportunities for all Australians to provide their thoughts on the proposals either online or in person at 67 locations around Australia. Other ways to provide feedback included stakeholder meetings, webinars, submissions and an online survey.

Feedback overwhelmingly supported the need for an Indigenous Voice and validated the core proposals for Local & Regional Voices and a National Voice put forward by the co-design groups in the Interim Report. 

Other key themes from consultation included:

  • a desire for consultation and co-design to continue through implementation.
  • calls for the Indigenous Voice to have security and longevity. 

You can read some of the feedback in submissions and community consultation summaries.

This image is a map of Australia with infographics overlaid explaining the Indigenous Voice consultations that happened around the country and online. They included:115 community consultation sessions, 120 stakeholder meetings, 13 webinars and more than 4000 surveys and submissions lodged. There were 52 co-design members from around Australia that participated in the process.