The National Indigenous Consumer Strategy (NICS) promotes effective engagement and partnerships between consumer protection agencies, Indigenous organisations, business and other government agencies to improve consumer outcomes for Indigenous people.

NICS is guided by a national committee, with representatives from the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments. The original Strategy was released by the then Ministerial Council on Consumer Affairs on 1 September 2005. The Strategy was developed after a lengthy period of consultation with Indigenous consumers and both non-government and government agencies involved in delivering services to Indigenous consumers.

Implementing the Strategy is a shared responsibility of Commonwealth, State and Territory consumer agencies who take responsibility for ensuring that Australia’s performance in Indigenous affairs is continually improved.

The Strategy helps focus our efforts and commits us to the following strategic directions:

• the promotion of basic consumer rights recognised by the United Nations for Indigenous people in Australia;
• to build knowledge, confidence and awareness for Indigenous people to action their consumer rights;
• to improve access to consumer protection services; and
• improving market outcomes for Indigenous consumers.

Together we have developed a series of action plans to address specific issues and sectors identified in the Strategy.  You can find the latest action plan and a copy of the strategy on the NICS website.  

Vist the NICS website www.nics.org.au