Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

First Nations Insights Program

This program profiles leading practice in attraction, retention and promotion of First Nations talent, promotes understanding of First Nations cultures, and builds organisational capability.

DCA supports the proper recognition of the unique status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our country’s history and of ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices are central in any discussions around recognition and reconciliation. 

Many organisations are committed to engaging with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and providing employment opportunities is a key part of this engagement. But genuine inclusion is about more than simply creating employment opportunities.

Genuine inclusion must begin with reconciliation. There can be no genuine workplace inclusion while First Nations Peoples are excluded from opportunities, and we as a nation do not address race relations, equality and equity, unity, institutional integrity, and historical acceptance.

It also requires creating an organisation that understands and respects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Providing a safe and welcoming environment should be a critical part of any workplace’s diversity and inclusion strategy and planning.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people have experienced significant exclusion from Australian society for many years. Ending that exclusion is foundational to D&I.

Overview

Explore definitions, key issues and the state of play.

The case for action

Find out why your organisation should take action.

Leading practice

Learn how to take a leading practice approach.

DCA research

Check out DCA's research on this topic.

Upcoming events

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Recordings of past events

Access recordings of past events on this topic.

Latest Research - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

Linguistic bias at work
Research

Linguistic bias at work

This guide is for managers and supervisors who want to learn about linguistic bias in the workplace and how to recognise and avoid it.

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Research

Inclusion@Work Index 2021-2022

The 2021-2022 Inclusion@Work Index maps the state of inclusion in Australian organisations and provides the Australian business case for inclusion.

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Research

Gari Yala (Speak the Truth)

Research from the Jumbunna Institute of Indigenous Education and Research and Diversity Council Australia is speaking truth to Australian employers about the experience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.

Latest Articles - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

Submissions

Workplace Gender Equality Amendment

Read DCA’s submission in response to the Workplace Gender Equality Amendment (Setting Gender Equality Targets) Bill 2024s.