Who we are

With our people. For our people.

Community First Development is a First Nations-led community development and research organisation. For more than 25 years we have worked alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia — listening, yarning, planning and delivering practical solutions that communities own and lead.

We believe every First Nations community holds the strength, knowledge and vision to shape its own future. Our work backs First Peoples’ self-determined goals, guided by cultural governance, strength-based practice and the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

How we work

We work by invitation only — communities decide when and how we can support them. Every relationship follows our four principles:

  • By invitation — we come when asked, and we take the time to look, listen and learn
  • Community owned — communities design, manage and lead their own projects; success is defined by community
  • Asset based — we start with the strengths, skills and resources already in community
  • Relationship driven — trust is built over time, and we walk beside communities for the long term

Our Community Development Officers and skilled volunteers from across industries work alongside communities on the goals they set — stronger health, culture, education, and economic and employment outcomes. From first yarn to final celebration, the community leads and we support.

What we’ve learned, we share

Our experience grounds a body of research and thought leadership in First Nations community development — including our Community Development Framework and Right Way Evaluation, which bring culture and community to the centre of how change is designed and measured. We share this knowledge with governments, organisations and communities in Australia and internationally.

Community First Development is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) and is endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient.

See our impact How we work Work with us

Meet our Board and Staff, or see Our Partners.