Share

Opportunities - Employment of Aboriginal People

Why employment is important

Sustained employment is key to the economic and social well-being of all Australians. For Aboriginal people to enjoy the benefits that flow from employment, they need to have jobs to do. There is a Victorian Aboriginal workforce ready and willing to work, but currently very few are employed in Victoria’s 79 councils.

We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to work in Victorian local government. Our careers section has information about jobs available at the MAV and in councils.

Top three actions councils can do to make a difference

1. Getting to the job – attraction and recruitment

  • Decide to actively seek Aboriginal candidates for all vacant positions
  • Develop and promote council's approach to Aboriginal employment in existing employment strategies, and articulate this on the council website
  • Include wording on job advertisements that candidates from culturally diverse backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait people, are encouraged to apply.

2. On the job – induction and retention

  • Undertake cultural awareness training for line managers and the team where the Aboriginal employee will be working
  • Consider options for linking new Aboriginal staff with other Aboriginal employees in your council, or if there are none, other contacts who could assist
  • Provide clarity about council requirements and expectations about bereavement and cultural leave.

3. Procurement

  • Use Aboriginal businesses included in the Victorian Government’s Aboriginal Business Directory
  • Become a member of Supply Nation
  • Find out if there are Aboriginal businesses operating in your municipality and let them know about upcoming council procurement opportunities.

Resources