project experience | insidepolicy

Project experience.

Inside Policy brings over a decade of experience designing and delivering culturally responsive monitoring approaches and evaluations for First Nations-led programs, national strategies and Commonwealth-funded initiatives. This work is demonstrated in the project summaries detailed below.

Remote Australia Employment Service (RAES) Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Strategy

National Indigenous Australians Agency, Ongoing

Designed a whole-of-program theory of change and program logic and for RAES
Developed a comprehensive MEL Strategy for RAES to guide monitoring activities and future evaluation planning
Co-designed the MEL Strategy program logic and theory of change with the RAES First Nations Governance Group
Developed a performance monitoring and data dashboard to support ongoing MEL activities and evidence-informed decision-making
Will prepare three Health Check Reports to embed monitoring into the program and assess implementation progress
Managed the project in line with the contractual requirements including policy, governance and delivery risk management.

In 2025, Inside Policy was engaged by the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) to develop and implement a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Strategy for the Australian Government’s Remote Australia Employment Service (RAES). This work establishes the evaluative architecture for a major remote employment reform program operating in First Nations communities across Australia. The RAES MEL Strategy provides a structured framework for monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities for the lifecycle of the program. It articulates intended short, medium and long-term outcomes and embeds a culturally informed theory of change developed in partnership with the RAES First Nations Governance Group.

The RAES MEL Strategy will strengthen evidence-based decision-making, support continuous improvement throughout program delivery, enhance accountability and learning in complex remote contexts. It will build a robust evidence base to inform effective, culturally appropriate remote employment services over the life of RAES.

Evaluation of the Aboriginal Throughcare Programme and Justice Our Way

New South Wales Department of Community and Justice, 2024 and Ongoing

Action research evaluation study: Justice Our Way Throughcare Expansion Program

New South Wales Ministry of Health, ongoing

In 2025, the NSW Ministry of Health engaged Inside Policy to design, undertake and report on an independent action research evaluation study of the Justice Our Way Throughcare Expansion Program (JOWTEP).

JOWTEP aims to support the successful reintegration of incarcerated Aboriginal people through a culturally grounded, holistic and trauma informed model of care that provides continuity of care from custody to the community. Amongst other objectives, the JOWTEP seeks to close the health and wellbeing equity gap for Aboriginal people by addressing Closing the Gap outcomes 10,11,12,13 and 14. JOWTEP is delivered by three Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) to participants exiting NSW correctional complexes. The Program involves a cross-government partnership, with governance comprised of the NSW MoH, Corrective Services NSW, and the Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network.

Inside Policy’s study will provide the NSW Government with formative, process and impact evaluation insights of the JOWTEP service model, including assessment of program paradigm, approach, purpose, effectiveness at meeting participant needs, strengths and weaknesses of approach, and barriers to effective service delivery. The evaluation uses a ‘success case method’ and ‘contribution analysis’ to identify the elements, mechanisms, contexts, conditions and strategies contribute to change, and what key features are important for future NSW Government investments.

To undertake the evaluation, Inside Policy will collect and analyse a range of primary and secondary qualitative and quantitative data, including:

Semi structured interviews with program/service level partners and community support services.

Yarning and story telling with Aboriginal Family Wellbeing Workers and Program participants.

Participant and Worker surveys.

Review of program/service documents and activity/administrative data.

Review of participant files.

Alongside the evaluation, Inside Policy is supporting each ACCHS to undertake ‘continual improvement activities’ to inform and strengthen the delivery of their throughcare services. Using an ‘action research’ methodology, Inside Policy, through co-design workshops, has developed bespoke ‘continuous improvement plans’. These plans describe each ACCHS’ throughcare model (program logic, theory of change and participant journey) and provide an implementation approach for continuous improvement activities.

The evaluation requires Inside Policy to submit multiple applications to First Nation’s Human Research Ethics Committees, and is scheduled for completion in December 2026.

Aboriginal Throughcare Strategy for Children, Young People and Adults

New South Wales Government Department of Communities and Justice, Completed 2024

In 2023, Inside Policy was engaged by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice to assist with the development its Aboriginal Throughcare Strategy for Children, Young People and Adults (the Strategy). The Strategy was an element of DCJ’s contribution toward Priority Reforms 1, 2, and 3, and socioeconomic targets 10 and 11 of Closing the Gap. 

To support development of the Throughcare Strategy, Inside Policy undertook a three-stage methodology which included: 

Audit and review of existing NSW Aboriginal Throughcare programs (across the children/young people and adult projects). This included focus on supports for young people in custody and post-release to improve reintegration and reduce reoffending, including those provided by CSNSW, Youth Justice NSW, non-government organisations and other community organisations.

Mapping of programs and service gaps at the state, regional and local level, including pre-release and post-release programs and services for Aboriginal people focused on supporting rehabilitation and reintegration into the community, reducing the risk of reoffending, and returning to custody.

Research and stakeholder consultation to identify demonstration programs for ongoing funding and support. This involved an assessment of existing successful throughcare programs for adults and young people, including community led initiatives, that are fit-for-purpose and well-integrated with allied services (particularly ACCOs) for ongoing and/or additional funding and support.

The final project stage involved working in partnership with the NSW Department of Communities and Justice, the Aboriginal Legal Services and multiple expert advisory groups to co-design a trauma-informed, culturally responsive Aboriginal Throughcare Strategy for Children, Young People and Adults. 

Evaluation of the Justice Reinvestment Investment

New South Wales Department of Communities and Justice, Completed 2025 and Ongoing

Evaluation of the NSW Government Justice Reinvestment Investment

New South Wales Department of Communities and Justice, Ongoing

Inside Policy was engaged the NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) to implement stage two of the DCJ Justice Reinvestment (JR) evaluation strategy. The evaluation will examine how JR is being implemented across DCJ JR funded sites in NSW, with a specific focus on how the six key JR principles are embedded and actioned. The evaluation will also assess progress towards the program’s long-term goals and examine any emerging results from the investment.

The key aim of the evaluation is to provide insights to guide the development of an economic evaluation of the NSW Government’s JR investment. The evaluation will generate insights to inform a future business case for the continuation and expansion of funding for JR within NSW and identify potential reinvestment mechanism options.

The process and qualitative outcome evaluation will involve ongoing consultations with JR sites, DCJ, and other key stakeholders undertaking evaluations of JR investments including the Paul Ramsey Foundation, the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department and Commonwealth Department of Social Services. Engagement with JR sites will be collaborative and will focus on facilitating learning and capacity building in evaluation, design and implementation.

Development of Evaluation Frameworks for the NSW Government Justice Reinvestment Investment

New South Wales Department of Communities and Justice Completed 2025

In 2025, Inside Policy was engaged by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) to develop Understanding, Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks (UMELs) for use in an economic, process and outcome evaluation of the NSW Justice Reinvestment program. The purpose of the NSW Justice Reinvestment investment is to utilise data-driven methods and place-based approaches to support Aboriginal communities in leading initiatives to address incarceration and offending.

To deliver this project Inside Policy:

Collaborated with each Justice Reinvestment site to identify place-based community priorities for Justice Reinvestment. This occurred through engagement with local organisations and communities receiving grant funding, including diverse Aboriginal communities.

Planned, coordinated and undertook site consultation visits.

Built the capability of the selected sites to design place-based Justice Reinvestment UMEL frameworks.

Provided opportunities for the DCJ Justice Reinvestment team to build their skills in UMEL framework design.

The developed UMEL Frameworks included a program logic for each Justice Reinvestment site and an overall program logic for the NSW Justice Reinvestment program.

Evaluation of the Youth Koori Court

NSW Department of Communities and Justice, Completed 2020-21

Led an independent evaluation of the Youth Koori Court (YKC), a culturally informed diversionary program supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people
Co-designed a program logic / theory of change and evaluation framework with Aboriginal stakeholders to reflect community-defined outcomes
Delivered a mixed-methods methodology including court observations, stakeholder interviews, file and administrative data review, journey mapping and case studies
Assessed effectiveness, implementation fidelity and cultural safety, and identified opportunities to strengthen participation, service integration and outcomes
Undertook a cost-benefit / value-for-money assessment to inform investment decisions and future program resourcing
Produced a final evaluation report with practical recommendations to support continuous improvement and sustainable delivery.

In 2020, Inside Policy was engaged by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) to evaluate the Youth Koori Court (YKC), operating within the Children’s Court at Parramatta and Surry Hills. The YKC is a process that utilises different methods but similar powers to the Children’s Court to better include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, families and communities in the court process to identify and reduce risks impacting engagement with the criminal justice system. The final report can be found here.

This evaluation assessed whether the YKC process was achieving intended targets, informed continued improvement of the process and analysed cost-benefits.

To deliver the project, the Inside Policy applied an Aboriginal ethnographic approach that considered the cultural environment and cultural support for staff and participants. This approach ensured consideration of cultural values and outcomes when assessing the effectiveness of the program.

Aboriginal Child and Family Centres Program Evaluation

NSW Department of Communities and Justice, Completed 2020-21

Led an independent evaluation of the Aboriginal Children and Family Centres (ACFC) Program, a place-based investment delivering integrated, culturally safe early childhood and family support services
Applied a co-designed methodological framework incorporating stakeholder engagement and culturally responsive evaluation approaches
Delivered a mixed-method evaluation including qualitative interviews, quantitative analysis of service performance, and cost-benefit analysis to assess effectiveness and value for money
Assessed implementation fidelity, service integration, cultural safety and contribution to intended child and family wellbeing outcomes
Produced a final evaluation report with recommendations to inform future program design, funding and continuous improvement
Subsequently re-engaged to co-design the ACFC program logic, theory of change and evaluation framework with funded centres
Supported system strengthening through development of data collection approaches and performance reporting mechanisms.

In 2020, Inside Policy was engaged by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) to conduct an evaluation of the Aboriginal Children and Family Centres (ACFC) Program in NSW. The ACFC program funds purpose-built centres that aim to provide co-located, holistic, culturally safe and integrated services to meet the needs of Indigenous children and their families.

The project’s methodological framework was produced from a co-design method, involving interviews with Departmental staff and key stakeholders. The evaluation involved a mixed method approach, with a focus on qualitative data using semi-structured interviews with ACFC staff, partner organisations, service providers and ACFC clients. Inside Policy also conducted a quantitative analysis to determine the effectiveness of the ACFC models and a cost-benefit analysis to determine the cost- effectiveness of the Program.

The final published report is available here.

In 2022, DCJ re-engaged Inside Policy to work with ACFCs to co-design the ACFC program logic, theory of change and evaluation framework. To achieve this, we facilitated a series of workshops and one-on-one activities with ACFCs to assist with building the ACFC program logic and other evaluation assets. As part of this system-strengthening work, Inside Policy assessed the feasibility and sustainability of data collection and reporting arrangements across centres. This included reviewing data capability and infrastructure through structured assessment tools and providing recommendations to strengthen routine performance monitoring and support future evaluation activities.

National Justice Reinvestment Monitoring and Evaluation Framework

Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department, Completed 2026 

Designed a whole-of-program theory of change and program logic for the National Justice Reinvestment (JR) Program and Justice Reinvestment in Central Australia Program
Developed a comprehensive Measurement and Evaluation Framework (MEF) to guide monitoring, learning and future independent evaluations
Led extensive co-design consultations 100 First Nations stakeholders across 27 funded sites across Australia
Gathered and analysed qualitative data from 17 engagements, resulting in co-developed measurement matrices incorporating community-defined indicators of success and self-determined outcomes
Established a nationally consistent, yet locally adaptable approach to performance monitoring and reporting
Managed contractual requirements and successfully navigated a range of stakeholder, governance and delivery risks throughout.

Inside Policy was engaged by the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department to design and develop a Measurement and Evaluation Framework (MEF) for the National Justice Reinvestment (JR) Program and the Justice Reinvestment in Central Australia Program (the Programs).

The Programs support place-based, community-led approaches to reducing contact with the criminal justice system and strengthening community wellbeing. The MEF establishes a structured architecture for measuring effectiveness, efficiency and impact across diverse implementation contexts, while maintaining alignment with national policy objectives.

Over a four month period, we undertook extensive co-design consultations, with approximately 127 Justice Reinvestment stakeholders across 17 engagements, including First Nations community leaders, service providers and government representatives. These consultations were critical for developing the Theory of Change, Program Logic, and measurement matrices, ensuring they incorporated self-determined community-based measures of success.

The primary goal of the project was to establish a consistent and systematic approach to measure and track the effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of the Programs nationally, while also supporting local initiatives in their monitoring and evaluation efforts.

The MEF that we co-designed with JR stakeholders establishes a consistent approach for tracking the effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of the Justice Reinvestment Programs. Future evaluations guided by the MEF will help the Australian Government understand what the Programs achieved, build the evidence base, and inform continuous improvement and decision-making. The MEF is also designed to support local initiatives in tracking their progress over time.

Evaluation of Culture Care Connect

Commonwealth Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, Completed 2025

Co-designed a program logic and theory of change grounded in Indigenous-led, community controlled principles.
Developed an evaluation plan
Partnered with over 120 First Nations stakeholders across 31 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services nationally
Gathered and analysed qualitative and quantitative data collected through yarns, surveys, interviews and document reviews
Undertook econometric and statistical analysis
Delivered high-quality interim and final evaluation reports, participant-facing summaries and implementation recommendations
Managed multijurisdictional ethics approvals and complex stakeholder environments.

In 2024, Inside Policy was engaged by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (DHDA) and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Network (NACCHO) to evaluate the Culture Care Connect (CCC) program. CCC is the first Indigenous designed, led and delivered initiative to strengthen First Nations’ mental health and suicide prevention across 31 Community Controlled Suicide Prevention Network regions. 

The evaluation went beyond performance assessment. It strengthened the program’s results architecture, clarified implementation pathways, and supported government and community partners to align investment with long term outcomes. Inside Policy’s work assessed program accessibility, effectiveness, appropriateness and efficiency using qualitative and quantitative methods. Data collection included a comprehensive document review, 16 site visits, 150 stakeholder interviews and surveys of participating sites and ACCHO staff. A cost-benefit analysis supported assessment of program efficiency, alongside successful ethics approvals across multiple HRECs.

Inside Policy’s evaluation found that the CCC program was generally producing positive outcomes for its participants, however required further ongoing supports to ensure the sustainability of these outcomes. Recommendations for project rollout and implementation were provided to inform future program funding and implementation decisions. 

Monitoring & Evaluation Framework for the Indigenous Procurement Policy

National Indigenous Australians Agency, Completed 2021

Co-designed a program logic and theory of change to articulate the long term reform intent of the Indigenous Procurement Policy (IPP).
Designed a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework to guide ongoing performance tracking and future evaluations
Partnered with over 30 First Nations stakeholders across Australia and a First Nations Governance Group through structured co-design consultations
Gathered and analysed qualitative data from interviews, workshops and surveys
Managed the project in line with the contractual requirements and managed a range of scope and delivery risks throughout.

Inside Policy was engaged to design and develop a Measurement and Evaluation Framework (MEF) for the Indigenous Procurement Policy (IPP), establishing a consistent and systematic approach to assess the policy’s effectiveness, efficiency and impact.

This project included extensive co-design consultations, literature review, document review, interviews and surveys. The primary goal of the project was to establish a consistent and systematic approach to measure and track the effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of the IPP.

Wellbeing Outcomes Framework for First Nations Children and Young People

Queensland, Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women, Completed 2019

In 2019, the Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women (‘the Department’) engaged Winangali and Inside Policy to assist it in developing Queensland’s first Wellbeing Outcomes Framework (‘the WOF’) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people. The WOF is a key commitment of Our Way – Queensland’s first intergenerational strategy to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples – and its first implementation plan – Changing Tracks.

Developing the WOF involved literature review, measure and outcome mapping, document review and consultations and co-design with over 130 community stakeholders through various methods of field research, including focus groups, semi-structured interviews, roundtables, workshops and forums.

The output of this project was the nations first Wellbeing Outcomes Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People which can be found here.

Consultation for the Development of the Sustainable Oceans Plan

Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Completed 2023

Designed and delivered a national First Nations consultation process to inform Australia’s Sustainable Oceans Plan, key priority for the Australian Government’s climate resilience and environmental sustainability agenda

Engaged approximately 80 First Nations stakeholders across Australia

Gathered and analysed qualitative data from 28 engagements (interviews and workshops)

Prepared a high-quality consultation report, covering themes aligned to climate adaptation, biodiversity protection and sustainable ocean governance

Managed the project in line with the contractual requirements and managed a range of stakeholder and delivery risks throughout.

Inside Policy was engaged to design and deliver a national consultation process with First Nations people and organisations connected to Sea Country to inform Australia’s Sustainable Ocean Plan, including climate resilience and marine sustainability priorities. The project involved a review of existing First Nations advice on ocean governance, climate change impacts and biodiversity protection, followed by 13 workshops and 15 interviews engaging approximately 80 participants across Australia. Consultations were undertaken using culturally responsive, strengths-based approaches to ensure community priorities informed national policy settings. Discussions addressed climate impacts on coastal and marine environments, community-led adaptation strategies and long-term environmental stewardship. Findings were synthesised into clear thematic insights aligned to national climate and environmental policy priorities, alongside case studies highlighting First Nations-led approaches to climate adaptation and sustainable marine management.

This work demonstrates Inside Policy’s capability to deliver nationally coordinated consultation processes on climate and environmental reform, and to translate community knowledge into policy-relevant advice aligned to Commonwealth priorities.

Development of Community Plans under the Connected Family Safety Services Program

National Indigenous Australians Agency, Completed 2025 

Worked intensively with First Nations stakeholders over 12 months across five very remote communities – Bidyadanga, Maningrida, Aurukun, Menindee and Coober Pedy – to strengthen community-led responses to domestic, family and sexual violence and improve safety outcomes for women, children and families.
Gathered and analysed qualitative data through sustained, culturally responsive engagement to identify service gaps, barriers to safety and opportunities to strengthen local prevention and support systems.
Supported each community to co-design a locally owned community safety plan aligned to the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022–2032, delivered in preferred formats including videos, storyboards, artworks and written documents.
Managed the project in line with contractual requirements, navigating complex stakeholder environments and delivery risks across remote and culturally diverse settings.

In 2024, the National Indigenous Australians Agency engaged Inside Policy to design and implement the Connected Family Safety Services initiative under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan 2023–2025. The project strengthened local governance and service coordination by partnering with community leaders and NIAA to identify barriers to safety, improve service integration and support locally defined priorities for women’s and girls’ safety.

Service mapping and gap analysis were undertaken in partnership with 5 local governance structures, with one community report cited in the 2025 South Australia Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence.

First Nations Foreign Affairs Strategy Development

Commonwealth Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Completed 2025

Inside Policy was engaged by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Office of First Nations International Engagement to support development of a strategy to embed a First Nations approach within Australia’s foreign policy. The project focused on shaping the strategic foundations and draft framework to guide how First Nations perspectives, priorities and knowledge systems could inform Australia’s international engagement.

Inside Policy designed and facilitated a series of targeted roundtables with First Nations leaders and stakeholders, ensuring culturally grounded, strengths-based engagement within a complex policy environment. Insights from these engagements were synthesised into a draft strategic framework to support the Office’s ongoing policy development and implementation planning.

Lived Experience Research with Users of Violence and People who have Experienced Violence and their Families

New South Wales Government, Corrective Services NSW

Domestic and Family Violence Framework

New South Wales Government, Corrective Services NSW, Completed 2025

In 2024, Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW) engaged Inside Policy to assist with developing its inaugural Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Framework. This Framework aims to set out priorities for CSNSW to better support people in its care who have experienced DFV as victim-survivors and perpetrators.

To develop this Framework, Inside Policy undertook a series of social research activities including literature reviews, a review of relevant legislation and policies, a meta-analysis of existing research on the needs and experiences of people with lived experience of DFV, and a series of focus groups with CSNSW staff, DFV service providers, and government agencies.

Inside Policy also undertook consultations with people completing corrections orders (in custody and community), family members of people who are currently or had previously completed orders with CSNSW, and Aboriginal CSNSW staff to better understand the support needs of different groups that have lived experience of DFV. Findings from this research supported the enhancement of CSNSW’s DFV Framework, with implications from lived-experience participants informing recommendations.

New South Wales Aboriginal Women Breast Screening Age Project Evaluation

New South Wales Cancer Institute, Completed 2024

Developed and implemented a mixed-method evaluation plan using an existing program logic to assess participation outcomes and cultural safety in breast cancer screening services for Aboriginal women.
Worked with First Nations stakeholders including Aboriginal women, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and BreastScreen NSW providers to understand barriers to access and service experience.
Successfully obtained ethics approval and conducted culturally responsive data collection across metropolitan, regional and rural settings.
Gathered and analysed qualitative and quantitative data, including statistical analysis of screening participation rates among women aged 40–74.
Prepared a comprehensive evaluation report with evidence-based recommendations to strengthen culturally safe service delivery and improve women’s health outcomes.
Managed the project in line with contractual requirements and navigated complex stakeholder environments and delivery risks.

Inside Policy was engaged to evaluate the PUTUWA project, which aimed to increase participation of Aboriginal women in breast cancer screening and improve the cultural safety of screening services. The evaluation examined systemic barriers to preventative healthcare access and assessed how service design and delivery could better support women’s engagement. Findings informed policy refinement and continuous improvement within BreastScreen NSW, contributing to strengthened preventative health systems, improved early detection outcomes and enhanced culturally safe healthcare for Aboriginal women.

COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund Evaluation

Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet, Completed 2022

Developed and implemented an evaluation plan

Gathered and analysed qualitative and quantitative data

Prepared a high-quality evaluation report

Managed the project in line with the contractual requirements and managed a range of stakeholder and delivery risks throughout.

Inside Policy was engaged to evaluate the COVID-19 Aboriginal Community Response and Recovery Fund, which supported place-based, self-determined responses delivered by ACCOs. The evaluation assessed implementation, achievement of objectives and considerations for future flexible funding approaches.

Using a mixed-methods approach, the team conducted document review, survey analysis and facilitated yarning circles with funded ACCOs and government stakeholders. Findings informed future design of flexible, community-led funding initiatives.

Evaluation of the Small Business Debt Helpline and Financial Counselling Support Line

Commonwealth Department of Treasury, Completed 2022 

Designed a program logic and theory of change for the Programs

Developed and implemented an evaluation plan

Gathered and analysed qualitative and quantitative data

Prepared a high-quality evaluation report

Managed the project in line with the contractual requirements and managed a range of stakeholder and delivery risks throughout.

Inside Policy was engaged by the Department of the Treasury to design and undertake an evaluation of the Small Business Bushfire Financial Counselling Support Line and Small Business Debt Helpline. The evaluation assessed program implementation and the effectiveness of nationally delivered services supporting small businesses experiencing financial distress.

The engagement involved evaluation design, stakeholder engagement and analysis of service delivery performance to inform future program refinement. This project demonstrates experience delivering evaluations within a Commonwealth policy and funding environment.

Evaluation of the Central Australia Plan

National Indigenous Australians Agency, Completed 2025 

Designed a program logic and theory of change for a complex, multi-stream place-based reform initiative.
Developed and implemented a mixed-method evaluation plan assessing implementation, early outcomes and cross-government coordination.
Worked in partnership with the Aboriginal Leadership Group and Aboriginal stakeholders in Central Australia to co-design the evaluation framework and interpret findings.
Gathered and analysed qualitative and quantitative data, including interviews, focus groups and yarning circles with community leaders, youth representatives and Commonwealth and Northern Territory agencies.
Successfully obtained ethics approval and managed culturally responsive engagement processes.
Prepared a comprehensive evaluation report and presented findings to the Aboriginal Leadership Group and senior government stakeholders.
Managed the project in line with contractual requirements, navigating significant data, stakeholder, political and delivery risks in a high-profile reform environment.

Inside Policy was engaged to evaluate the implementation of the Central Australia Plan, a government and community partnership designed to strengthen safety, service coordination and community outcomes through a place-based approach aligned to the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

The evaluation examined the effectiveness of the Plan’s “doing things differently” partnership model across six investment streams, assessing governance IDCs and Communities of Practice.

Findings informed refinement of the Australian Government’s place-based reform approach, strengthened cross-agency coordination and identified lessons to improve implementation in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.

Evaluation of the Innovation and Learning Grants Program

Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, Completed 2023

Designed a program logic

Developed and implemented an evaluation plan

Gathered and analysed qualitative and quantitative data

Interviewed and surveyed First Nations grant recipients

Undertook a cost-benefit analysis

Prepared a high-quality evaluation report

Managed the project in line with the contractual requirements and managed a range of stakeholder and delivery risks throughout.

Inside Policy was engaged to undertake a process and outcome evaluation of the Innovation and Learning (ILG) Program, a $6 million funding initiative supporting ACCOs in Victoria to embed innovation, strengthen cultural approaches and improve outcomes for Aboriginal children and families. The evaluation examined service delivery, investment, cultural strengthening and self-determination, drawing on interviews with ACCOs and government stakeholders and review of extensive program documentation.

Following successful delivery, Inside Policy was re-engaged to undertake a further in-depth evaluation, including comprehensive document review, interviews with all grant recipients and a cost-benefit analysis examining socio-economic impacts. The project demonstrates experience evaluating flexible funding pools delivered through ACCOs and assessing both implementation and outcomes.

Anti-Vaping Campaign Evaluation with Aboriginal Young People

New South Wales Cancer Institute, Completed 2024 

Designed a program logic for the campaign

Developed and implemented an evaluation framework

Worked with Aboriginal young people, communities and governance group

Gathered and analysed qualitative and quantitative data

Successfully obtained ethics approval

Prepared a high-quality evaluation report

Managed the project in line with the contractual requirements and managed a range of stakeholder and delivery risks throughout.

Inside Policy was engaged to evaluate the Cancer Institute NSW Anti-Vaping Campaign, including materials specifically developed for Aboriginal young people. The evaluation framework was co-designed with the Institute’s project team, Aboriginal Strategic Advisor, Aboriginal Co-Investigator, Aboriginal Cancer Advisory Group and AH&MRC to ensure cultural appropriateness, methodological rigour and alignment with broader NSW health strategies.

Data collection included a statewide survey of Aboriginal young people and qualitative yarning circles delivered in partnership with ACCHOs. Findings were synthesised into a final report and community summary, directly informing refinement of subsequent campaign design and strengthening culturally responsive health promotion practice.

Published report: Anti-Vaping Formative Researchwith Aboriginal Youth and Community

Mid-term Evaluation of the Connected Beginnings Program

Commonwealth Department of Education , Completed 2023

Designed a program logic and theory of change for the program

Developed and implemented a monitoring and evaluation framework for the program

Worked with over 400 First Nations stakeholders across 22 funded sites across Australia

Gathered and analysed qualitative and quantitative data

Successfully obtained ethics approval from two HRECs

Prepared high-quality interim and final evaluation reports

Managed the project in line with the contractual requirements and managed a range of stakeholder and delivery risks throughout.

In 2022, Inside Policy was engaged by the Department of Education (DoE) and the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (DHDA) to conduct a mid-term evaluation of the Connected Beginnings program. Connected Beginnings is a place-based program delivered in various sites across the Country. The program aims to support children from birth to school age, and pregnant women, with school readiness and educational and health outcomes, to close the gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and non-Indigenous children. In 2021, the Connected Beginnings Program was announced as a Closing the Gap measure in the Commonwealth’s Closing the Gap Implementation Plan.

The evaluation was designed to incorporate the U-MEL Strategy; the program Theory of Change; and the perspectives and aspirations of backbone teams and health partners. To undertake the evaluation Inside Policy co-designed a site-specific data collection plan with each site to tailor the evaluation framework to their community.  

Inside Policy utilised a mixed-method approach to evaluate the program including both qualitative and quantitative methods. Evaluation activities included: 

Site visits to 22 locations across Australia.

Interviews with a total of 443 community and program-level stakeholders.

Site-level observations, a desktop review of 738 documents.

Cost benefit analysis.

Contribution analysis.

Statistical data analysis.

Published report: Evaluation of Connected Beginnings: mid-term report 2023. 

Co-design of Indigenous Family Violence Services under Priority 2 of the Third Action Plan of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children

Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

This engagement involved working with the Department and 15 Indigenous organisations from around the country to design a range of new services to reduce family violence including victim support services, perpetrator behaviour change programs, trauma-informed therapeutic interventions for children and intensive family-focused case management.

A core component of this project was the establishment of a community of practice where providers could share their practice and learnings. Inside Policy delivered on this by developing a virtual workspace where providers could discuss issues with each other and download important resources. Also core to the project was the facilitation of two Design Shops where providers collectively designed and tested their new service models.

The outcome of this work was the Department entering into funding agreements with of 14 of the 15 providers who designed family violence interventions through this process.

Extended provider engagement for the services co-designed and funded under Priority 2 of the Third Action Plan

Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

In 2017, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet engaged Inside Policy to work with 14 service providers to co-design delivery models for four service types funded under Priority 2 of the Third Action Plan of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children. Following the early implementation phase of the initial engagement, the Department extended Inside Policy’s contract to continue the engagement with providers to assist them in service delivery. The project deliverables were an engagement plan for each provider, monthly progress reports, and a final report.

Three-year Review of the Justice Policy Partnership

Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department, Completed 2025

Developed and implemented a review plan including a data matrix and data collection tools

Worked with JPP members and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service

Gathered and analysed qualitative data from 21 engagements and a range of documentation

Prepared a high-quality report that incorporated the feedback from First Nations stakeholders

Managed the project in line with the contractual requirements and managed a range of stakeholder and delivery risks throughout.

Department (AGD) to conduct a three-year review of the Justice Policy Partnership (JPP). The JPP is the first and longest standing policy partnership established under the National Agreement under Strategic Priority Reform 1, to drive systemic change through partnerships with government bodies, The Coalition of the Peaks, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives. The JPP aims to implement comprehensive reforms that decrease adult and youth incarceration rates and incorporate the Closing the Gap Priority Reforms within law and justice sectors.

Inside Policy’s 3-year review assessed the JPP’s contribution and impact to reduce rates of incarceration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults and children. The review explored and made recommendations to improve the JPP’s governance and operating models, decision-making and stakeholder engagement, and its capability and effectiveness in designing and implementing reform initiatives.

The review addressed the following key areas:

Evaluation of the JPP’s purpose, influence and impact in achieving the outcomes related to Targets 10 and 11 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap (National Agreement).

Assessment of the JPP’s implementation of the National Agreement’s Priority Reforms, including the Strong Partnership Elements, with recommendations for improvement.

Recommendations to address findings of the Productivity Commission’s Review of the National Agreement recommendations to strengthen, improve and achieve the purpose of the JPP.

The review involved Inside Policy undertaking extensive consultation and collaboration with key JPP members and stakeholders, including the Coalition of the Peaks, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services and AGD JPP Co-secretariats and Co-chairs and other recommended JPP stakeholders. Consultation activities included interviews and meetings (virtual/in-person) and the opportunity for written submissions.

Evaluation of the Commonwealth Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Strategy

Australian Public Service Commission, Completed 2018 

Designed a program logic for the Strategy

Developed and implemented an evaluation plan

Engaged a range of First Nations APS employees and SES in data collection

Gathered and analysed qualitative and quantitative data

Developed a strategy objective and action stocktake

Prepared an evaluation report

Managed the project in line with the contractual requirements and managed a range of stakeholder and delivery risks throughout.

Inside Policy was engaged to conduct a two-phase evaluation of the Commonwealth Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy and the Indigenous Employment Programs Memorandum of Understanding. The evaluation included quantitative data analysis, stakeholder interviews and focus groups across multiple jurisdictions. Final reports provided recommendations to strengthen strategy implementation, coordination and future service delivery across participating agencies, supporting improved Aboriginal employment outcomes within the Commonwealth public sector.

Evaluation of the New South Wales Public Sector Aboriginal Employment Strategy

New South Wales Public Service Commission, Completed 2018 

Designed a program logic for the Strategy

Developed and implemented an evaluation plan

Engaged a range of First Nations NSW public service employees and SES in data collection

Gathered and analysed qualitative and quantitative data

Developed a strategy objective and action stocktake

Prepared an evaluation report

Managed the project in line with the contractual requirements and managed a range of stakeholder and delivery risks throughout.

Inside Policy was engaged to evaluate the NSW Public Sector Aboriginal Employment Strategy (2014–2017), assessing its effectiveness in improving outcomes for Aboriginal employees within the NSW public service. The evaluation incorporated literature review, quantitative workforce data analysis, an online survey, stakeholder interviews and facilitated workshops. Findings and recommendations were reported to inform future iterations of Aboriginal employment policy and strengthen implementation and accountability mechanisms across the sector.