Governance

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Strong governance embedded within the department’s Reconciliation Action Plan framework drives accountability and transparency leading to better leadership and decision-making outcomes. Effective governance arrangements ensure DEWR is sustaining, maintaining and embedding reconciliation outcomes that are meaningful and impactful.

ActionDeliverableTimelineResponsibility
10. Establish and maintain an effective RAP Working Group to drive governance of this RAP10.1. Maintain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation on the RAP Working Group.December 2027

Lead: First Assistant Secretary, People and Communication Division

Support:

  • First Nations Co-Champions
  • RAP Working Group Secretariat
 10.2. Establish and apply Terms of Reference for the RAP Working Group.December 2025First Assistant Secretary, People and Communication Division
 10.3. Meet at least four times per year to drive and monitor RAP implementation.December 2025 – December 2027

Lead: First Assistant Secretary, People and Communication Division

Support:

  • Assistant Secretary, PALM Operations Policy
  • First Nations Co-Champions
  • RAP Working Group Secretariat
 10.4. Ensure all DEWR strategic decision-making bodies (Tier 1)2 and mid-level governance committees (Tier 2) have First Nations representation in their membership, including external representation where necessary.January 2026First Assistant Secretary, Finance and Budget Division
 10.5. Establish relevant forums at State Offices to ensure RAP actions and deliverables remain a priority and implemented.December 2027First Assistant Secretary, Workforce Australia Provider Support Division
ActionDeliverableTimelineResponsibility
11. Provide appropriate support for effective implementation of RAP commitments.11.1. Define the resource needs for RAP implementation.January 2026First Assistant Secretary, People and Communication Division
11.2. Engage senior leaders and other staff in the delivery of RAP commitments.December 2025 December 2026 December 2027Reconciliation Champion
11.3. Establish formal internal reporting and/or sharing arrangements to ensure line areas are accountable for delivering RAP commitments.February 2026First Assistant Secretary, People and Communication Division
11.4. Appoint and maintain an internal RAP Champion from senior management.December 2025First Assistant Secretary, People and Communication Division
ActionDeliverableTimelineResponsibility
12. Build accountability and transparency through reporting RAP achievements, challenges and learnings both internally and externally.12.1. Contact Reconciliation Australia to verify our primary and secondary contact details are up to date.June 2026 
June 2027
First Assistant Secretary, People and Communication Division
12.2. Contact Reconciliation Australia to request our unique link to the online RAP Impact Survey.August 2026 August 2027First Assistant Secretary, People and Communication Division
12.3. Complete and submit the annual RAP Impact Survey to Reconciliation Australia.September 2026 September 2027First Assistant Secretary, People and Communication Division
12.4. Report RAP progress to all staff, including the First Nations Employee Network and senior leaders, quarterly

2026: February, May, August and November

2027: February, May, August and November

Lead: First Assistant Secretary, People and Communication Division

Support: 

  • Reconciliation Champion
  • Assistant Secretary, PALM Operations Policy
12.5. Publicly report our RAP achievements, challenges and learnings, annually.July 2026
July 2027

Lead: First Assistant Secretary, People and Communication Division 

Support:

  • Assistant Secretary, PALM Operations Policy
  • Reconciliation Champion
12.6. Participate in Reconciliation Australia’s biennial Workplace RAP Barometer.March 2026First Assistant Secretary, People and Communication Division
12.7. Submit a traffic light report to Reconciliation Australia at the conclusion of this RAP.December 2027First Assistant Secretary, People and Communication Division
ActionDeliverableTimelineResponsibility
13. Continue our reconciliation journey by developing our next RAP.13.1. Register via Reconciliation Australia’s website to begin developing our next RAP.June 2027First Assistant Secretary, People and Communication Division