Closing the Gap Mid-Year 2025 Report
(Content Warning: This post contains material that may be confronting or distressing, including references to deaths, imprisonment and child removal. Support is available if you need to talk to someone.)
Tank acknowledges the release of the Productivity Commission’s 2025 Annual Data Compilation Report on Closing the Gap, which shows only four of 19 targets are on track. The data paints a sobering picture: while some areas are improving, many of the outcomes most critical to health, safety and justice are worsening. You can read the full report here
Life expectancy remains well below the national average at 71.9 years for men and 75.6 years for women, showing improvement but still not on track. Healthy births are rising, with 89.2% of babies born with a healthy birthweight, yet the target is unmet. Early childhood education is a bright spot: 94.2% of children were enrolled in preschool in 2024, assessed as on track. By contrast, only 33.9% of children starting school were developmentally on track, a worsening outcome.
Injustice remains stark. The adult imprisonment rate has risen to 2,304 per 100,000 in 2024, while 50.3 per 1,000 children are now in out-of-home care. Suicide rates have worsened to 30.8 per 100,000 in 2023, highlighting the urgent need for stronger social and emotional wellbeing supports. Positive movement is seen in economic participation (55.7% employment, on track) and in land rights, with more than 4.3 million km² of country recognised.
At Tank, our commitment to First Nations First means standing with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in calling for accountability and action. Progress requires more than targets and reports — it requires governments and institutions to share power, invest in Indigenous-led solutions, and let communities define what safety, wellbeing and opportunity mean for them.
As allies, we urge decision-makers to move from consultation to genuine partnership, where funding, governance and measures of success are shaped by those most affected.
Are we tracking numbers — or are we listening to people?
