Building community understanding of Treaty
The Victorian Government has been on the path to Treaty for nearly a decade. A strong foundation has been laid, legislation passed twice, policies developed and commitments made across every level of government.
In 2024 and 2025, the Victorian Government hosted Treaty Information Sessions with more than 1000local leaders across the state to build understanding and awareness about Treaty.
The Victorian Government co-hosted sessions with organisations including the Victorian Council of Social Services and the Victorian Multicultural Commission in Springvale, Melbourne CBD, and St Albans. We also partnered with local councils to host regional sessions in Shepparton, Keilor, Broadmeadows, Frankston, Horsham, Geelong, Torquay, Warrnambool, Bairnsdale, Bendigo, Swan Hill, Ballarat, Ringwood, and online.
Community representatives had the opportunity to hear from the Minister for Treaty and First Peoples,the Parliamentary Secretary for First Peoples and the Department of Premier and Cabinet’s Deputy Secretary for First Peoples – State Relations about the foundations for Treaty, hear updates on statewide negotiations and ask questions to understand how Treaty could impact their communities. These sessions are an opportunity for community leaders to build their awareness of Victoria’s path to Treaty, engage and access resources, and share information with their communities.
The Victorian Government will continue connecting on Truth and Treaty with community leaders across the state.
Timeline of previous Treaty consultations
Treaty Community Engagement Program 2018-20
2018-2020
The Treaty Community Engagement Program supported Aboriginal organisations to engage with the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal community on the Treaty process between 2018 and 2020.
Treaty community consultations - June 2017
June 2017
Following these consultations, the Aboriginal Treaty Working Group established the Aboriginal Community Assembly to provide recommendations on the remaining design elements of the representative body.
Victorian Treaty Forum
28 April 2017
The Victorian Treaty forum was held by the former Aboriginal Victoria in Melbourne on Friday 28 April 2017, with different community views expressed and taken into consideration by the State and Aboriginal Treaty Interim Working Group.
At the forum, the outcomes from treaty community consultations held up until April 2017 were also presented.
Community consultations
March 2017
In March 2017, Treaty community consultations were held in Echuca, Mildura, Portland, Sale, Wodonga and Melbourne.
Aboriginal Victoria Forum
13 December 2016
Round-table workshops enabled further consultation and another opportunity for the Victorian Aboriginal community to have a say.
Treaty Forum
26 to 27 May 2016
The first statewide Treaty forum was held by the former Aboriginal Victoria to bring together the Aboriginal community and agree on how to advance self-determination, treaty and a representative body.
Self-determination and Treaty consultations
April to May 2016
Communities in Mildura, Horsham, Shepparton and Bairnsdale met to discuss what self-determination and Treaty means for Aboriginal people.
Foundations for Treaty
We have passed legislation twice, developed policies, and made commitments across every level of government.
Treaty timeline
Victoria has been on the path to Treaty for nearly ten years.