Our role

The Office of Northern Australia (ONA) was established in 2008 reflecting an election commitment of the Australian Government.

The ONA's key role is to provide policy advice to the Australian Government on sustainable development issues in, or affecting, northern Australia. These include:

• Development priorities;
• Strategies to promote sustainable development; and
• Barriers impeding the development of significant initiatives.

In addition to this broader role, the office has three specific policy initiatives

• Development of a whole-of-government response to the findings and recommendations of the Northern Australian Land and Water Taskforce;
• Roll out the East Kimberley Development Package; and
• National Resource Sector Employment Taskforce, which is developing a comprehensive workforce plan to assess skill needs and deliver the large number of skilled workers required in the resource sector over the next five years.