[2][3] The Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care was formally established as a result of the proposal in 1981, and it developed a statement of purpose to outline its mission.
In 1982, the first national executive was elected, and from 1983 onwards, SNAICC has received funding from the federal government (initially from the Department of Social Security).
In 1991 SNAICC became the first national Indigenous organisation to call for an inquiry into the Stolen Generations, and in 1996, developed the Proposed Plan of Action for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect in Aboriginal Communities.
In 2006, SNAICC signed an agreement with the Australian Government for a National Indigenous Child Care Plan, later endorsed by many key organisations.
It continued to work internationally, attending UN sessions in New York City and Geneva, and secured funding for the "Kids Matter: Early Childhood" initiative.
In 2014 SNAICC launched the national "Family Matters" campaign to address the over-representation of Indigenous children in out-of-home care.
As a member of the Coalition of Peaks Joint Council, SNAICC collaborated to establish critical targets for children's health and safety.
It provides advice to child protection and early childhood education bodies, and helps to develop guidelines, propose policies to achieve real and lasting change for the children and their families.
Notable speakers included Judge Frances Eivers, former Aotearoa New Zealand Children's Commissioner, Lead Convenor of the Coalition of Peaks Pat Turner, and leader of the Yes campaign for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, Dean Parkin.