Closing the Gap on Indigenous Birth Registration

Many Indigenious Australians are unable to obtain a birth certificate because their birth was never registered, or they cannot satisfy the Births, Deaths & Marriages' ID requirements. The result is a significant gap between the birth registration rates of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Birth Regsitration is a fundamental human right in international law. We will assess the extent of Australia's compliance with international laws through empirical research that: (1) quantifies the extent of the problem; (2) identifies the causes; (3) recommends solutions. The project will facilitate the gathering of accurate population data on Indigenous births, essential for the realisation of the Government's 'Closing the Gap' initiatives.