["Child &Family Social Work, Volume 31, Issue 3, Page 1317-1330, August 2026. ", "\nABSTRACT\nAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are grossly overrepresented in statutory child protection systems across all Australian States and Territories, with the continuing impact of colonisation and cycles of intergenerational trauma weighing heavily on many Aboriginal families. To address this entrenched crisis, public health approaches to child maltreatment prevention have become increasingly prominent, prioritising universal support for families, targeting vulnerable at‐risk population groups and utilising statutory intervention when abuse or maltreatment occurs. However, understandings of public health approaches to child maltreatment prevention as they impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are limited. This scoping review identified 13 peer‐reviewed studies finding evidence for the role and benefits of ‘secondary’ approaches typically involving culturally relevant early intervention programmes. Programme objectives included improving the well‐being of Aboriginal people through improving pregnancy outcomes and child health, preventing or reducing the incidence of child abuse and neglect and promoting positive, nurturing parent–child relationships. Several studies identified a direct reduction of statutory child protection involvement and rates of OOHC, increases in reporting of child abuse and youth sexual violence and abuse and a decrease in dysfunctional parenting styles. Autonomy, Aboriginal governance and self‐determination for Aboriginal people are central to culturally competent and effective early intervention programmes.\n"]