New HIPPY providers

We are privileged to announce the 17 new organisations that will begin delivering HIPPY this year

As part of a commitment to strengthening self-determination and improved outcomes for First Nations families, and guided by the local communities themselves, HIPPY Australia has been working with our current provider organisations and local Aboriginal Controlled Community Organisations (ACCOs) to transition the running of First Nations-focused HIPPY sites to ACCOs and or ACCO-led partnerships where chosen by the local community.

The strengths of ACCOs—as organisations that are deeply connected to local communities and operate with strong cultural governance and cultural accountability—place them in a prime position to deliver family centred programs such as HIPPY. We are excited by the opportunity to work alongside and also be led by these organisations. Their expertise and knowledge will guide the direction of the HIPPY First Nations focused network alongside our already established provider ACCOs.

Thanks

We'd like to deeply thank everyone who has been involved in this initiative, particularly those we spoke with and consulted out in local communities, including Elders, HIPPY staff, families and community members, and everyone who took the time to submit expressions of interest.

We acknowledge the Country we met on and where HIPPY sites operate, paying our respects to the Traditional Custodians of those lands. We were privileged to speak with and be guided by Custodians, Elders and community leaders during our time in local communities. We respectfully acknowledge the importance of their input through this process as well as their ongoing involvement with HIPPY that is key to a well-led, sustainable and impactful program.

We want to highlight the high quality of the applications and we value the work of all applicants, hoping these organisations will be strong community partners in the work to better support children and families.

New HIPPY providers for 2026

These new providers bring expertise from a range of areas alongside their work in parenting or children's services, giving them the ability to provide many wrap around services to families.

The new HIPPY providers for 2026 are:

As of January 2026, we are still to finalise consultations and new providers for HIPPY Yurrwi, HIPPY Doomadgee, HIPPY Mount Isa, HIPPY Latrobe and HIPPY Wellington. The outcome of these will be announced later in the year.

Acknowledging continuing providers at transformation sites

At five HIPPY sites, community consultations identified that the current HIPPY providers were trusted and best placed to continue delivering the program. These organisations will continue to focus their work on supporting First Nations families while enhancing their existing cultural governance.

The HIPPY Australia First Nations network

HIPPY Australia is privileged to be working with these providers on the path to self-determination. To take the steps necessary to achieve this, a HIPPY Australia First Nations network is being established that will include senior leaders from the 17 new providers alongside the experienced and longer established provider ACCOs and organisations at other First Nations focused HIPPY sites. This network will share practice and knowledge while guiding and ultimately deciding the future of HIPPY for First Nations families.

HIPPY Australia is establishing a new First Nations network team within its national office to provide concentrated support with a cultural lens. The team is headed by Wirangu woman and Senior Manager First Nations Network, Annie Kent, who has led HIPPY Australia's Transition to ACCOs project. Annie is supported by a site support and project team. While direct support will come from this team, all HIPPY sites will continue to work with and receive support from the wider HIPPY Australia National Office (HANO) team.

We are excited to have the direction of the program led by communities themselves and for all the possibilities and powerful impact it will bring.

As part of the First Nations Network, the above organisations/sites will join our existing provider ACCOs: