National Close the Gap Day is held on the third Thursday in March each year.  In 2022, it will be held on Thursday 17 March 

This day commemorates the day in March 2006, that the Close the Gap Campaign Steering Committee first met to respond to serious inequities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians (find out more here). 

In March 2008 the Close the Gap Statement of Intent was signed by parliamentary leaders. This statement set out the challenge for us, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, to partner together to close the gap on life expectancy, educational achievement, employment opportunities, and the social determinants that drive them.

At the RCH, we recognise we must do our part to bridge this gap in healthcare. That is why we unreservedly commit to improving the health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

National Close the Gap Day is commemorated at the Royal Children's Hospital so that we continue to ask ourselves how we can do more to support and enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health outcomes and equity. 

The following stories demonstrate how we have commemorated this day over the years. 

National Close the Gap Day 2021

National Close the Gap Day 2019

National Close the Gap Day 2017

National Close the Gap Day 2016