Special administration start – Narang Bir-rong Aboriginal Corporation

The Registrar of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations, Ms Tricia Stroud, has today placed the Narang Bir-rong Aboriginal Corporation (ICN 8897) under special administration.

Several serious concerns led to this decision.

On 17 May 2026, the corporation’s chairperson, on behalf of the board, requested the appointment of a special administrator due to financial difficulties. ORIC then sought further financial information from the corporation to assess the request.

Shortly after ORIC received this information, the NSW Office of Children’s Guardian (OCG)¹ notified both the corporation and ORIC that it had cancelled the corporation’s accreditation under the Children’s Guardian Act 2019, effective 5 pm on 2 June 2026. This decision means the corporation is no longer authorised to provide out-of-home care services.

The NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) has advised that children and carers have been transitioned from the corporation back to the department, and the corporation no longer has any responsibility for their care.

OCG made its decision following the corporation’s long history of non-compliance under the Children’s Guardian Act 2019. The board did not raise these compliance issues in its request for special administration and instead indicated the corporation was on track for reaccreditation.  

Over the past week, several directors and the interim CEO resigned, leaving the board potentially no longer properly constituted. DCJ has raised concerns with ORIC about how the corporation will continue to manage approximately 70 full-time equivalent staff.

These developments required urgent action. Under section 487-10(2) of the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006, ORIC did not need to follow a show cause process.

The Registrar has appointed Mr Jack James and Mrs Paula Smith of Rodgers Reidy (WA) Pty Ltd as joint and several special administrators until 11 September 2026. They will manage an orderly wind-down of the corporation’s operations.

1    The Office of the Children’s Guardian is an independent statutory body with responsibility for accrediting all out-of-home care providers.