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Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

About

Real purpose - Endless Opportunities
2024 Graduate Program

Now closed

About

The Australian Government has an ambitious agenda to support and enable the self-determination and aspirations of First Nations Peoples, and The National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) is a key partner in fulfilling the commitments to elevate First Nation's voices, and ensure First Nations people have a say in the decisions that affect them.

We are committed to implementing the Government's policies and programs to provide the greatest benefit to all First Nations peoples. Our priorities are informed by the Government's commitment to work in genuine partnership with First Nations peoples for better outcomes.

We support the Minister and Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians, as well as the Special Envoy for Reconciliation and the Implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

We have a large national footprint with approximately 1,300 passionate employees spread across offices in remote, regional and urban locations. This enables us to work closely and respectfully with First Nations communities, organisations, peak bodies, all levels of government and other parties to support the design and delivery of policies and programs that reflect the uniqueness of each community and their changing priorities. Our work allows us to value-add in place, including in response to emerging priorities, pandemics, and natural disasters.

NIAA Graduate Program - Tamika

'There's a very big focus and significance in cultural competency at the Agency. We learn about other people and other cultures and through that we also learn about ourselves and our own perspectives and I think that's really important.' – Tamika, 2021 NIAA Graduate

NIAA Graduates will contribute to:

  • developing, implementing and evaluating policies and programs and working closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to do this.
  • our work with state and territory governments and Indigenous organisations to make sure the policies and programs address the individual needs of each community.
  • support the Minister and Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians, as well as the Special Envoy for Reconciliation and the Implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

Our Team

We're driven by an understanding that valuing and sustaining the world's oldest living cultures, strengthens the whole nation.

Our staff are spread across Australia – in urban, regional and remote locations.

We come from a vast array of backgrounds and have a wide variety of skills.

We are an inclusive agency and welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates, especially Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We are committed to adapting and evolving the ways we work to make sure we deliver the strongest outcomes, and we make these changes together.

The work you will do

As an NIAA Graduate, you will have the opportunity to work across the Agency to build your understanding of the Government's key priorities relating to Indigenous Affairs.

You will be involved in complex and fulfilling work at the forefront of Indigenous Affairs, including important initiatives such as the Indigenous Voice and the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

You will help develop, implement and evaluate policies and programs while working closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, state and territory governments and Indigenous organisations to make sure the policies and programs address the individual needs of each community.

You will provide advice to the Minister for Indigenous Australians on issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Professional development

Professional development is a key feature of the NIAA Graduate Program and throughout the program you will develop capabilities that will contribute to the rest of your career.

You will have the opportunity to undertake a continuous cultural learning journey through NIAA's Footprints Program to increase your cross-cultural knowledge including continuous learnings in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, peoples and histories.

There are also many training courses that you can access as an NIAA Graduate including Writing for the Australian Public Service, resilience training, Indigenous Affairs policy, stakeholder management and problem-solving.

What we offer

'I have been really pleasantly surprised to see just how supportive all the supervisors, managers and just colleagues that I've had in this agency have been. They've definitely had my best interests at heart. They also are willing to give you opportunities to prove yourself, to learn. That level of support has come through in every team I've been in so far.' - Oliver, 2021 NIAA Graduate

The NIAA is a flexible, diverse and inclusive workplace with attractive remuneration packages, including generous employer superannuation contributions.

Our graduates start as full-time, permanent employees at the APS 4 level. On successful completion of the program, you will have the opportunity to be assessed for advancement to the APS 5 and APS 6 level.

The NIAA also offers relocation assistance to successful candidates.

Salary

Classification Pay point Salary from 2 August 2023
APS 6 APS 6.1 $90,806
APS 5 APS 5.1 $82,099
APS 4 APS 4.1 $74,358

*Correct as at December 2022 under the National Indigenous Australians Agency Enterprise Agreement 2021-24