Working with First Nations: Delivering on the Priority Reforms
Overview
Working in partnership with First Nations.
Working with First Nations supports public sector professionals to strengthen their understanding of the Priority Reforms under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. The program focuses on building capability to work in partnership with First Nations peoples, understand shared decision-making, and support more effective, respectful and accountable ways of working.
Understand the Priority Reforms
Strengthen partnership approaches
Support better outcomes with First Nations
What Participants Say
Insights from participants across the region.
Participants from across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand share how the Working with First Nations Program has shaped their public service journey.
Catherine, Geoff, and the guest speakers, created this environment where you felt safe to ask questions that you might not otherwise have asked. They are very open about the difficulty of change, the size of the challenge, and the fact that it is alright to make mistakes.Nerida RixonAustralian Institute of Family Studies
Key People
Faculty & Presenters
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:
Donnella Mills, Chair, National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NAACHO)
Catherine Liddle, CEO, SNAICC- National Voice for our Children
Katie Kiss, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner
Wayne AhBoo, CEO, Institute for Urban Indigenous Health
Dr Jacob Prehn, Director of Research, Evaluation and Data Governance, Treaty Authority, Victoria
Who It's For
Public sector leaders.
This program is designed for public sector leaders and practitioners involved in policy, service delivery and reform affecting First Nations peoples.
Delivering reform
Working differently, together.
Working with First Nations provides space to reflect on how public servants engage with First Nations communities and organisations. Through shared learning and discussion, participants explore how the Priority Reforms can be embedded in everyday practice, supporting more effective partnerships and better outcomes.
Program highlights
Program Structure
Trusted learning. Practical insights. Public value.
Program format
Delivered online with participants able to participate in conversation and ask questions.
Learning sessions
Cover the history of First Nations policy in Australia, creating partnerships, building the community-controlled sector, transforming government, sharing data and creating capability to enable action.
Peer engagement
Learning is centred on facilitated discussion and shared experience across jurisdictions.
Program duration
16 hours (1 x 1 hour orientation plus 6 x 2.5-hour sessions).
Learning Approach
Where learning meets leadership.
Shared learning
Learn through discussion and reflection alongside peers working on similar reform challenges.
Facilitated dialogue
Facilitators support respectful, informed conversations grounded in lived experience and practice.
Reflective practice
Reflection supports deeper understanding of roles, responsibilities and ways of working.
Contextual application
Learning is grounded in participants’ own organisational and policy contexts.
How to Register
Ready to join the program?
Register now and start your learning journey today.
April - June 2026
(6 x 2.5-hour sessions over 6 weeks)
Orientation: 29 April (10:00am - 11:00am AEST)
Session 1: 7th May (10:00am – 12:30pm AEST)
Session 2: 13th May (10:00am – 12:30pm AEST)
Session 3: 20th May (10:00am – 12:30pm AEST)
Session 4: 27th May (10:00am – 12:30pm AEST)
Session 5: 3rd June (10:00am – 12:30pm AEST)
Session 6: 10th June (10:00am – 12:30pm AEST)
October - November 2026
(6 x 2.5-hour sessions over 6 weeks)
Orientation: 13th October (2:00pm - 3:00pm AEDT)
Session 1: 15th October (2:00pm – 4:30pm AEDT)
Session 2: 22nd October (2:00pm – 4:30pm AEDT)
Session 3: 29th October (2:00pm – 4:30pm AEDT)
Session 4: 5th November (2:00pm – 4:30pm AEDT)
Session 5: 12th November (2:00pm – 4:30pm AEDT)
Session 6: 19th November (2:00pm – 4:30pm AEDT)