With school returning at Gunbalanya today, Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion, said it was a timely reminder of the need for children in remote communities to be ready for school on day one of the new school year.

Minister Scullion commended the community of Gunbalanya for its support and encouragement to get students back to school today. Schools in other remote communities will resume later this month.

"We all want the very best for our children and we know a good education is a key to giving them the best start in life," Minister Scullion said.

"The Coalition Government’s RSAS is employing local people to work with state and territory governments, schools and communities to lift attendance in 2017.

"We know there is a lot more work to be done, but the RSAS, introduced by the Government in 2014, has already turned around a steady decline in school attendance that existed in many remote communities."

The RSAS is supporting approximately 14,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in 77 schools.

"Getting kids to school is everyone’s responsibility and there is no excuse for children not being at school every day," Minister Scullion said.

"Increasing school attendance, getting more adults to work and making communities safer are the Government’s highest priorities in Indigenous Affairs because they are fundamental to improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people."