Our commitment to Reconciliation

TAFE NSW understands that achieving Reconciliation is a societal challenge, particularly in light of the diverse perspectives that arose following the 2023 First Nations Voice to Parliament referendum. As an organisation with a pivotal role in the community, TAFE NSW wants to be at the forefront of the reconciliation process, being proactive and building on our reconciliation journey.

Working closely with the TAFE NSW Aboriginal Advisory Council we recently developed a Reconciliation Statement which we’ve shared with our many partners and stakeholders to reinforce our commitment to reconciliation and Closing the Gap. The statement acknowledges the importance of our relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities, and organisations and how we must work together to achieve better outcomes.

We have actively sought to hear the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees and learners with a recent survey about cultural safety and belonging. While it was pleasing to hear that TAFE NSW provides a culturally safe and empowered environment for our learners and employees, feedback also highlighted the significant cultural load that people are experiencing across the organisation.

We recognise improvements are still needed in key focus areas. We will continue to work with our partners to achieve ongoing improvements through the Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan and our commitment to Closing the Gap.

TAFE NSW Statement

TAFE NSW acknowledges and respects the diverse thoughts and perspectives that have arisen following the recent referendum for "The Voice." We remain committed to Reconciliation and Closing the Gap, recognising that the journey towards reconciliation is a collective one.

We acknowledge the range of emotions that people may be feeling. It is through working together, supporting one another, and sharing strategies and ideas that we can influence the positive change we want to continue to see in our communities. TAFE NSW has a range of support services available for employees and learners and we actively encourage anyone who feels that their spirit is unsettled to reach out and have a yarn with their support networks.

Through results from a recently completed Cultural Safety/Belonging survey by a group of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners and employees, it was highlighted that TAFE NSW provides a culturally safe and empowered environment for our learners and employees, but also brought to light the frustrations and significant cultural load that people are experiencing across the organisation.

As part of our ongoing commitment to Reconciliation, TAFE NSW is actively engaged in policy development and works collaboratively with key stakeholders, governance groups, community and our valued learners, employees, and partners. We understand that achieving reconciliation is a societal challenge, and as TAFE NSW plays a pivotal role within our community, we want to be at the forefront of this process. We understand the importance of engagement and relationships with our community; this engagement is the core of our reconciliation journey.

We want to reiterate our dedication to the Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2023-2025, which places self-determination at its core, aligning with our commitment to Closing the Gap under the TAFE NSW Strategic Plan. The TAFE NSW Innovate RAP outlines our commitment and the actions we will take across four key areas; Relationships, Respect, Opportunities, and Governance. We recognise the importance of truth-telling and the need to work together now more than ever to achieve reconciliation.

TAFE NSW recognises that improvements are still needed in key focus areas, and we are dedicated to these ongoing improvements through the Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan and our commitment to Closing the Gap. We will continue to work tirelessly to promote inclusion, belonging and a culturally safe environment for all.