Home > For Consumers > Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health

Department of Health and Ageing Reconciliation Action Plan

This Plan covers commitments to reconciliation in three key aspects of the Department’s work: as a leading employer; as a leader in health and ageing policy development and program development; and as a leader in partnering across government

Why do we have a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)?
What’s in the RAP?
Where can I find the RAP?
Further Information

Why do we have a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)?

Our department is in a unique position to fundamentally contribute to improving the health status and access to high quality services for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people(s) and to close the life expectancy gap. To support us in our work, the RAP highlights our commitment to reconciliation and details activities to build positive relationships and provide equitable opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people(s).

As a large government department, we want to continue to be an employer of choice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff. Our RAP commits the department to actively nurturing an inclusive culture that values the contribution, skills and knowledge of all staff and promotes values embraced by, and significant to, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees.

The new RAP 2010 - 2012 (PDF 376 KB) was launched by the Secretary during NAIDOC Week, on 7 July 2010, and has been endorsed by Reconciliation Australia as a best practice model for other Commonwealth agencies.

Reconciliation Australia is the key external stakeholder for RAPs, providing advice to agencies and formal endorsement of the final plan.

What’s in the RAP?

The department's Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP):

• details activities to build positive relationships and provide equitable opportunities with and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people(s);
• gives a format to explore how reconciliation can advance our business and organisational objectives that contribute toward the national effort to close the life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and non-indigenous children;
• commits us to continue to promote an understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities, cultures, heritage and aspirations within the department;
• supports and guides us as members of staff to build positive relationships between all Australians; and
• demonstrates that as a department we are genuinely committed to reconciliation and “closing the gap”.

Where can I find the RAP?

You can find the RAP here (PDF 376 KB) and on the Reconciliation Australia website.

Further Information

Additional information about Reconciliation and Reconciliation Action Plans is available on the Reconciliation Australia Website.

If you have any difficulties downloading the document, or would like more information, please email OATSIH Enquiries, or call 02 6289 5291.
Top of page