Indigenous Employment – Hiring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Staff

Proving you’re an employer of choice is difficult with skills shortages, an ageing workforce, and competition for good employees. One way to make your business stand out to job seekers is to encourage diversity in your workplace through Indigenous employment!

Your business could benefit from having a diverse workplace that welcomes employees of all backgrounds, including Indigenous Australians.

ETC can help you learn about the benefits and support for employers when hiring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff!

Benefits of hiring Indigenous employees

Employing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can provide your business with benefits such as;

• access to employment incentives
• coaching, mentoring, support and advice
• training
• access to job-ready candidates

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees can enhance your business by providing different perspectives, experience and knowledge. They can contribute to cross-cultural awareness in your workplace, which is important when communicating with people from diverse backgrounds and engaging with the local community.

Support for employers

There are programs and incentives available for businesses to help you employ Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander people, ETC provides several;

• As your recruitment partner, ETC may be able to assist you with uniforms and PPE for your new staff, training or certificates, and wage subsidies to help sustain employment.

• Our Indigenous Services Team (replacing NCAP) – which helps businesses and job seekers with Free coaching, mentoring, support and advice.

Aboriginal participation strategy

The government has various strategies in place to decrease Aboriginal unemployment and improve indigenous staff retention. These programs encourage employers to focus on building Aboriginal participation in their workforce.

Larger companies may also have Aboriginal Participation Plans which require them to hire a certain percentage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. An example is the Aboriginal Participation in Construction (APIC) policy which supports greater participation by Aboriginal people in government construction projects across NSW.

ETC works in partnership with employers to meet their Aboriginal employment target. Our Indigenous Employment Officers are part of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and have strong links with candidates and employers.

Find out more about ETC’s partnership with Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia and the National Indigenous Training Academy >

ETC’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Strategy

ETC has two important documents that help us to contribute to ending the economic disparity between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians.

Through our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) we undertake practical actions to:

• Achieve stronger engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• Support and recognise their strengths, skills and contribution to ETC and our wider communities
• Help create strong, inclusive and sustainable communities.

In our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Strategy, we define approaches for recruitment, retention and career development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees in a culturally aware workplace.

Both documents play an important part in achieving ETC’s Vision and Mission and living by our organisational values.

Develop your Reconciliation Action Plan

ETC encourages other employers to develop a RAP through Reconciliation Australia’s RAP Framework.

A RAP is a strategic document that supports your organisation’s business plan.  

As well as providing a structured approach to advance reconciliation, a RAP can help you to improve your working relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, enhance delivery of your products or services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, and play your part in promoting community harmony and inclusive communities.

To develop a RAP, you will work with Reconciliation Australia through their feedback, quality assurance and endorsement process. RAP endorsement provides your organisation permission to use the nationally recognised RAP name and logo, which demonstrate compliance with the RAP framework and standards.

More information on RAPs and how to develop them is on the Reconciliation Australia website.

ETC also encourages employers to develop an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Strategy, an internal organisational document to help you increase diversity in your workforce and create a culturally aware workplace. There are numerous online examples and templates to help guide you in developing one.

Meet ETC’s Indigenous Services Team

Want to work with Ceharni? Fill out the Need Staff? form or call 1800 007 400

Ceharni Martin – Indigenous Services Manager

Ceharnie Martin, a proud Torres Strait Islander with over 15 years’ experience in employment, training, and community services, resides on Kombumerri / Yugambeh Country. Her passion lies in empowering her community through education and employment, fueled by her time in remote Aboriginal communities like Woorabinda and Palm Island. As Indigenous Services Manager at Enterprise and Training Company for 5 years, she leads a team providing mentoring and cultural support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients in four regions. An advocate for ETC’s Reconciliation Action Plan, she aids other businesses on their reconciliation journey.

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Want to work with Aunty Jennie? Fill out the Need Staff? form or call 1800 007 400

Jennie Rosser – Senior Indigenous Employment Officer

Jennie Rosser is a proud Gumbaynggirr Aboriginal leader with 19+ years’ diverse experience in employment, training, education, and nursing. She empowers her community through education and training on Gumbaynggirr, Dhunghutti, Biripi, and Worimi Country. With deep ties to Woorabinda and Palm Island, Jennie has excelled for over a decade in Enterprise and Training Company’s Indigenous Services Team, mentoring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients on the Mid North Coast of NSW. She fosters partnerships with Employers, Training Organizations, and Government bodies, while passionately sharing Aboriginal cultural knowledge during key events. Jennie is resolute in achieving Closing the Gap and ETC’s Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan goals, embodying a true advocate for community progress.

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Want to work with Tracy? Fill out the Need Staff? form or call 1800 007 400

Tracy Pocock – Indigenous Employment Officer

Tracy, a proud Indigenous woman from Bourke NSW, descendent of Barkindji and Wangkamurra people, carries 28 years’ experience working with Indigenous communities. A mother of 4 children and 4 grandchildren, she values strong family ties. Now residing on Gumbaynggirr Country, Tracy is driven to create a positive impact on lives, equipping people for success. Her career spans roles at ATSIC, Murdi Paaki Regional Enterprise Corporation, Bourke High School, and currently ETC, all with the goal of empowering Indigenous individuals and fostering future leaders.

As an Indigenous Employment Officer, Tracy mentors Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander customers across Mid North Coast NSW, covering areas like Coffs, Nambucca, Kempsey, Port Macquarie, and more.

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Want to work with Aunty Dee? Fill out the Need Staff? form or call 1800 007 400

Diane Law (Aunty Dee) – Indigenous Employment Officer

Diane, a proud Wakka Wakka woman from Central North Burnett, QLD, is a devoted advocate for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander communities. With a rich background as a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Diane’s career has been marked by her strong work ethic and passion for supporting others.

Her notable skills encompass adept Management/Leadership, self-driven independence, reliable self-motivation, and expertise in training. She excels in innovation, teamwork, and meeting deadlines, offering specialized mentoring primarily to Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islanders, and multicultural individuals.

Diane has impactful roles, including engaging with at-risk youth, serving as a Child & Family Wellbeing Practitioner, and facilitating responses for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander families. Her journey includes diverse roles as an Employment Consultant, from Case Management to Indigenous Youth Employment.

Her achievements include a recent Diploma in Narrative Therapy, a Diploma in Government Management, and a Certificate IV in Training Assessment. Holding a Blue Card and NDIS Card underscores her qualifications.

Diane’s impact expands further through facilitation of programs like Girls and Parental Programs, as well as an innovative Photographic Program. Beyond work, she engages in valuable voluntary contributions, participating in Elder gatherings and community initiatives.