Inaugural strategy to increase our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce

10 Nov 2020

Ahpra marks NAIDOC Week 2020 by releasing our inaugural Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Employment Strategy 2020-2025 (Employment Strategy).

The goal of the Employment Strategy is to increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation within Ahpra through the development of a culturally safe work environment that reflects the diversity of the communities in which we operate and serve.

The Employment Strategy is a key deliverable for the National Scheme’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Cultural Safety Strategy 2020–2025 which aims to improve cultural safety, increase workforce participation, strive for greater access and close the gap in health outcomes between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and other Australians.

‘This strategy is not a short-term solution but a long-term commitment. Ahpra is committed to increasing the participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in employment to ensure our workforce is representative of the community we serve,’ Ahpra CEO Martin Fletcher said.

‘We seek to improve the cultural safety of the workplace, career experiences and opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees.’

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Strategy Group Co-Chair Karl Briscoe said ‘it’s a positive move in the right direction for Ahpra to release this employment strategy, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation is needed at all levels and areas of the agency to ensure cultural safety.’

The Employment Strategy contains five priority areas to help achieve our goal:

• build a sustainable talent pipeline through attraction and recruitment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates
• implement programs and culturally safe work practices which foster the retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees
• invest in developing the capabilities and careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees, including representation in leadership and senior roles
• develop culturally safe workplaces through education and culturally safe work practices, and
• know the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce throughout Ahpra to encourage their engagement in the delivery of the Employment Strategy and goals.

The Employment Strategy recognises the need to build the cultural capability of all Ahpra employees to enable a proactive and leadership approach.

‘We’ve recently started on our reconciliation journey and the employment strategy contributes towards the continued building of the foundations for relationships, respect and opportunities, which are the focus of our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan 2019-2021,’ Mr Fletcher said.

‘We have an opportunity to address systemic challenges now by investing in and nurturing long-term relationships. I encourage and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to seek employment and a career with Ahpra.’

NAIDOC Week is a celebration of the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. It is an important week for all Australians. This year NAIDOC Week will run 8-15 November. The 2020 NAIDOC Week theme Always Was, Always Will Be recognises that First Nations people have lived and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years.

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