DEST’s Reconciliation Initiatives

Initiative	Timing/Deadline	Performance Indicator
Strategic Goal 1. Strengthen national systems
1. Address Indigenous outcomes in all: - school and vocational training funding agreements - higher education and research funding conditions	December 2009	Specific, tangible measures for Indigenous Australians are included in all renewed: - school and vocational training funding agreements with the states and territories - higher education funding and research grant conditions
2. Allocate at least $11.4m (over four years) from mainstream funding through an Indigenous Flexible Funding Pool for whole of government Indigenous initiatives at the local level	December 2007	Increased number of local level whole of government initiatives funded

Strategic Goal 2. Raise the quality of outcomes
3. All mainstream DEST programmes to "work harder" to improve outcomes for Indigenous Australians	Each July 2007 to 2010	Indigenous Outcome Action Plans for all mainstream DEST programmes embedded in the department’s business planning and performance reporting process All programme areas identify short, medium and long-term measures to increase access, participation and outcomes for Indigenous Australians
4. Expand education options and support to improve outcomes for Indigenous Australians	July 2008	All 2007 Federal Budget initiatives relating to Indigenous Australians are implemented effectively (see Budget Information)
5. Embed the key lessons learnt, particularly on governance and leadership, from the Council of Australian Governments’ Murdi Paaki trial in DEST’s business practice, including: - building effective relationships with Indigenous communities - adopting flexible and coordinated approaches with key stakeholders, including Indigenous communities, to address local priorities	February 2008   Ongoing	Provide key lessons learnt to DEST’s state and territory network Indigenous communities’ capacity to engage with DEST’s programmes strengthened, as reflected in stakeholder surveys
6. Encourage more quality teachers to take positions in remote schools by extending capital grant funding eligibility to include teacher housing in remote localities	January 2008	Number of teacher accommodation projects
7. Build the capacity of Career Advice Australia providers to engage with Indigenous Australians and their communities	December 2007 March 2008	All Youth Pathway Provider Action Plans include Indigenous strategies All Local Community Partnerships have Indigenous strategies in their business plans for 2008
8. Increase the participation by schools with significant Indigenous student populations in the Australian School Innovation in Science, Technology and Mathematics (ASISTM) Project	July 2008	Increase the proportion of projects with an Indigenous character or focus from approximately 10% to approximately 30% in future rounds

Strategic Goal 3. Strengthen equity
9. Improve higher education access through scholarships for Indigenous students	July 2009	1000 Commonwealth (Indigenous Access) Scholarships awarded to Indigenous students per annum (from an average of less than 400 per annum)
10. Assist Indigenous Australians to participate more fully in the workforce through training and other support	Ongoing	Increased Indigenous training completions, including higher level qualifications
11. Strengthen Indigenous research by applying specific protocols for assessment of Indigenous research under the Research Quality Framework (RQF)	December 2010	Evaluation of RQF shows that the assessment of Indigenous research under the RQF was appropriate and effective
12. Return former British nuclear test sites to the traditional owners, the Maralinga Tjarutja	December 2007	Site returned to South Australian control and then added to the Maralinga Tjarutja freehold lands, together with funding for economic development

Strategic Goal 4. Extend international influence
13. Increase the number Indigenous Australians researching overseas through scholarships	July 2009	Endeavour Research Fellowships available for Indigenous Australians awarded (four in 2007-08 and 2008 -09, expected to rise to six in 2010-11)
14. Exchange information and ideas on international best practice in Indigenous education	May 2007	Host an Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development Seminar on Indigenous education

Strategic Goal 5. Build capacity in our workforce
15. Maintain DEST’s status as an employer of choice for Indigenous Australians	Ongoing   July 2008	DEST remains in the top two Australian Government departments for employment of Indigenous Australians A specialist in Indigenous human resource issues is appointed and consulted on human resource policies and programmes
16. Build the capacity of DEST staff to identify and address Indigenous need within all areas of the department by providing Indigenous-focused cultural awareness training	Commence July 2007	300 staff (per annum) participate in Indigenous-focused cultural awareness training
17. Attract, develop and support Indigenous staff through DEST’s recruitment and career development plan, Yarrangi	August 2007	A new three year Yarrangi Plan with clear goals and strategies is developed in consultation with DEST’s Indigenous staff
18. Ensure our Indigenous staff have a voice in DEST’s people and leadership agenda through: - the Yarrangi network across Australia - DEST’s Indigenous Leader	Ongoing   Ongoing	The Yarrangi network is active in all States and Territories across Australia and the national committee meets regularly DEST’s Indigenous Leader provides feedback and advice directly to the Secretary on matters related to Indigenous leadership in DEST
19. Increase Indigenous Australians’ access to entry level employment opportunities in DEST and encourage Indigenous applicants in selection processes	Ongoing	A minimum of four Indigenous Cadets, three Indigenous Graduates and two Indigenous Apprentices recruited each year DEST’s recruitment processes actively promote Indigenous applications
20. Support the professional development of Indigenous staff by: - funding scholarships to help Indigenous staff access and complete tertiary education - ensuring studies assistance made available to staff continues to address barriers specific to Indigenous staff	Ongoing   Ongoing	Tertiary Preparation and Completion Awards for Indigenous staff continue to be funded DEST’s Studies assistance guidelines address issues of disadvantage to Indigenous Australians
21. Facilitate staff donations under the DEST Workplace Giving programme to Indigenous focused organisations	December 2007	Indigenous organisations of significant interest are included in the list covered by the arrangements

Strategic Goal 6. Engage with our stakeholders
22. Indigenous representation on consultative and advisory bodies	December 2008	All DEST consultative bodies with significant implications for Indigenous Australians ensure the opportunity for Indigenous representation
23. Celebrate Indigenous culture, learning and achievements	Ongoing   Ongoing   Ongoing	Indigenous-specific events, including NAIDOC Week celebrations held for DEST staff and stakeholders Indigenous themes and issues incorporated in corporate communications and events, including DESTalk (staff newsletter), Secretary’s Messages, Corporate Event, planning conferences Acknowledge traditional owners and/or include welcome to country ceremonies at the DEST Corporate Event

Strategic Goal 7. Strengthen our business practices
24. Address Indigenous outcomes in all new programme guidelines	July 2007   July 2007 and ongoing thereafter	Revised programme guideline development procedures that incorporate Indigenous outcome requirements are in place All new and revised programme guidelines incorporate Indigenous outcomes
25. Better data and information on Indigenous clients and outcomes in new DEST information systems	December 2009	All new sector-specific data systems support improved Indigenous data quality and reliability