The AHO is committed to delivering housing solutions and outcomes for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people living in NSW.
To help people understand what makes a person eligible to access the AHO's services, an Eligibility for Services Policy is in place.
People or groups who might need to refer to this policy include:
- Aboriginal Community Housing Providers (ACHPs)
- the Homes Housing Services
- Community Housing Providers (CHPs)
- AHO staff
- the public.
As part of the eligibility criteria, applicants are asked to supply their Confirmation of Aboriginality.
According to the Aboriginal Housing Act 1998 (NSW), the definitions of Aboriginal and/or a Torres Strait Islander person are:
An Aboriginal person means a person who:
- is a member of the Aboriginal race of Australia, and
- identifies as an Aboriginal person, and
- is accepted by the Aboriginal community as an Aboriginal person.
A Torres Strait Islander means a person who:
- is a descendant of an Indigenous inhabitant of the Torres Strait area within the meaning of the Commonwealth Act, and
- identifies as a Torres Strait Islander, and
- is accepted by the Torres Strait Islander community as a Torres Strait Islander.
Evidence of confirmation of Aboriginality
The AHO's preferred evidence of confirmation of Aboriginality is a letter from:
- and/or membership from a Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC)
- a Registered Aboriginal Organisation (RAO) that provides Confirmation of Aboriginality and meets the definition of an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person in accordance with The Aboriginal Housing Act 1998
- a Registered Stolen Generation Organisation (SGO)
- a Torres Strait Islander Organisation (TSIO) registered under the Australia Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) or Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC).
If you are unable to provide evidence in these formats, there are alternatives:
- A Statutory Declaration can be used in circumstances where an individual is unable to provide evidence from a LALC, RAO, TSIO or SGO - this must be explained in the statutory declaration along with evidentiary examples to assist in the determination of Aboriginality. Statutory declarations should only be used as a last resort.
- An Extenuating Circumstances Statutory Declaration can be used when an applicant is experiencing disruptive life events that prevent them from obtaining the necessary supporting evidence to confirm their eligibility for services. In situations where applicants are fleeing domestic and/or family violence, natural disasters, exiting Corrective Services or out-of-home care (within the last 6 months) or institutional care facilities. This statutory declaration can be accepted without supporting evidence to enter short-term accommodation programs.
The AHO acknowledges that Confirmation of Aboriginality is a personal choice.
