Working with First Nations: Delivering on the Priority Reforms

Public servants need new skills and capabilities to work in genuine partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and engage in the transformation of government organisations – which all Australian governments have committed to in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.  

Capabilities such as: cultural responsiveness, engagement, co-design and co-production, place-based community development, and supporting communities to access, own and use data.  

This program will guide participants through the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, demonstrate these skills and how to apply them in their everyday work. It includes a session on each of the Agreement’s four Priority Reforms, bookended by a history of First Nations policy in Australia and a ‘bringing it all together’ session. 

Adopting the Canadian Two-Eyed Seeing approach, the program aims to respectfully recognise and embed the strength of Indigenous and non-Indigenous worldviews.  

For a taste of the themes covered in this program, watch the following ‘Starting your journey to working with First Nations’ presentation. This video is free to watch and share. 

This program is designed for public servants who want to learn how they can transform government organisations and develop effective partnerships and decision-making with First Nations communities, including: 

• senior executives 
• middle level officers 
• other cohorts such as policy, procurement, human resources, planning, finance and program delivery officers. 

By the end of this program, you will have:   

• a greater appreciation of the ongoing impacts of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people  
• a deeper understanding of the significance of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, and the commitments it contains  
• Gained knowledge and skills to engage effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, organisations, and communities, and build genuine partnerships with shared decision-making   
• explored key challenges public sector managers currently face and enhanced your understanding of how to effectively share decision-making with and transfer service delivery to First Nations people and communities 
• strong understanding of Indigenous data principles and how to apply them 
• greater cultural competence, and the awareness and confidence to identify and address institutional racism and unconscious bias.    
• explored how to apply this new knowledge practically in your everyday work 

You’ll learn from: 

• Geoff Richardson PSM – leader in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement and cultural protocols, descendent of the Meriam people of Mer and the Kuku Yalanji/Djabugay peoples of North Queensland. 
• Professor Catherine Althaus – a Professor in the Public Service Research Group at UNSW Canberra and expert in Indigenous public administration and leadership. 

Guest presenters include: 

• Jody Broun, CEO, National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) 
• Dr Gordon de Brouwer, Commissioner, Australian Public Service Commission 
• Donnella Mills, Chair, National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NAACHO) 
• Catherine Liddle, CEO, SNAICC- National Voice for our Children 
• Dr Jacob Prehn, Director of Research, Evaluation and Data Governance, Treaty Authority, Victoria 

Working with First Nations: Delivering on the Priority Reforms is delivered as a one-hour orientation and six 2.5-hour sessions over 6 weeks. 

Some pre-reading and self-assessment is required throughout the program. A wide range of references and resources will be made available to participants. 

Online via Zoom.

Early bird price: $1,727 (inc GST) – only until 1 April (for May/June program)

Full price: $2,158 (inc GST)

Group price: Save 10% on group bookings for 5+ people.

ANZSOG Alumni receive a 15% discount.

To enquire about this program, please contact ANZSOG’s Engagement Team, with the program name as the subject line, at engage@anzsog.edu.au or call us on 1300 ANZSOG (1300 269 764).

Read our cancellation, transfer and refund policy.