content-left-bg.png
content-right-bg.png

Frequently asked questions and supporting material

WebPartZone1_1
PublishingPageContent

​​Frequently asked questions

What do we mean by engagement?

One way to think about engagement is that it is ‘any process that involves Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians in problem solving or decision making and uses their input to make better decisions. Engagement is about two things—first, the relationship between government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and second, the way we work together to get things done.1

There are many forms of engagement, ranging from information sharing through to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander led projects. The type of engagement utilised will depend on a number of factors including purpose, context and organisational capability.

1 Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs 2011. Engaging today, building tomorrow: a framework for engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Canberra: FaHCSIA, p. 41.

What is the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement framework?

The engagement framework is a set of principles and behaviours to be considered by departmental staff to improve their ongoing engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, students, parents, families, communities, organisations and employees. The framework identifies key principles and behaviours that can support engagement being undertaken in an effective and culturally appropriate way.

Why was the framework developed?

The importance of engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents, families and communities has been known about and recognised for some time by successive governments. However, many departmental staff feel ill equipped to effectively engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The framework was therefore developed to assist departmental staff to undertake engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, students, parents, families, communities, organisations and employees.

How can the framework help me?

The framework is designed to provide some clear principles and actions for consideration to assist departmental staff in undertaking effective engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons.

It also provides a useful guide for considering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and issues that need to be considered when developing, managing or reviewing strategies, policies and programs.

Which departmental staff is the framework relevant for?

The framework is relevant for all departmental staff, regardless of role or location. The framework provides the basis of helping to build their awareness, understanding and capability to engage effectively and with cultural sensitivity.

How can I implement this framework in my everyday practice?

A list of useful resources is available to provide practical guidance on effective engagement for a variety of circumstances.

Each division and region will take responsibility for implementing the framework locally. Implementation will vary across the state, depending on the needs identified, to ensure local staff have the capability to undertake engagement in their community.

What is co-design?

Co-design is one form of engagement and it is critical to changing the relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and government. Co-design describes the process of making decisions or designing programs in full and equal partnership with those affected – in this case, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and government or industry.

How can I apply the framework in the classroom as a teacher?

The framework provides principles and actions that should be used when engaging with students and parents. The framework supports the Parent and Community Engagement Framework’s (PDF, 4.9MB) implementation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents and community members.

How do I use the framework as a principal?

The framework provides principles and actions that should be used when engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and parents in all schools. It should also support the development of local school – community partnerships with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities. The framework should support the Parent and Community Engagement Framework’s implementation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders.

How do I use the framework as a policy/program officer?

The framework should be used as a guide to consider appropriate engagement during the development, implementation and review of policies and programs.

Who can I speak to if I have further questions about engagement with Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples?

Most departmental regions have an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander team. Contact your regional office for further information. There are also Community Education Counsellors in a number of schools who can provide advice.

For general questions on the framework, you can email Indigenous.Policy@qed.qld.gov.au.

Resources

​Suggested resource

​Corporate staff

​Regional staff

​School staff

​School principals

​Early childhood educators

​Procurement delegates

Practical guides
Communicating effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (PDF, 341KB) 2, 3, 4

Queensland Health (2015)

Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (​AIATSIS) Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
AIATSIS (2020)


Prot​ocols 3, 4

Department of Education (2020)

Advancing Partnerships: Parent and Community Engagement Framework 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Department of Education (2012)


Communicating with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Adolescent (PDF, 346KB) 2, 3, 4

Mental Health First Aid Australia (2014)

​Tools
​​Black Business Finder 5

Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Business Directory (2020)

​​Know your Community – Key insights into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Department of Treaty, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Communities and the Arts (2021)

​​Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Families and Children Toolkit 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Emerging Minds: National Workforce Centre for Child Mental Health (2020)

​Examples in practice​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Foundations for Success 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Department of Education (2016)

Government Champion Program 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Department of Treaty, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Communities and the Arts (2022​)

Solid Pathways 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Department of Education (2023)

​Western Touring Circuit music-making workshops inspire creatives of all ages 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Arts Queensland (2022)

A report on Engagements with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: To inform a new National Agreement on Closing the Gap (PDF, 4.4MB) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Coalition of Peaks (2020)

​Frameworks, policies and strategies
National Agreement on Closing the Gap (PDF, 819KB) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Council of Australian Governments (2019)

The Imagination Declaration 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth (2019)

​Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld): 2, 3
​United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Australian Human Rights Commission

​Queensland Government Reconciliation Action Plan 2023–2025 2, 3
Department of Treaty, Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander Partnerships, Communities and the Arts (2018)


Commitment Statement to Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples (PDF, 8.2MB) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Department of Education (2019)

​Cultural Capability: Building cultural capability in state schools 5

Department of Education (2019) (available to Department of Education staff only)

​Queensland Indigenous Procurement Policy 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Department of Treaty, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Communities and the Arts (2020)


Queensland Indigenous Procurement Guide (PDF, 855KB) 5
Department of Treaty, Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander Partnerships, Communities and the Arts (2019)


Inclusive education and inclusive education policy 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Department of Education (2020)

​We All Belong Framework (PDF, 4MB) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Department of Education (2020)

1 Build on strengths
2 Cultivate relationships and connections
3 Demonstrate cultural respect and recognition
4 Employ appropriate communication and language
5 Lift capability and create opportunities​​

WebPartZone1_2
WebPartZone2_1
WebPartZone2_2
WebPartZone2_3
WebPartZone3_1
WebPartZone3_2
WebPartZone3_3
WebPartZone3_4
WebPartZone4_1
WebPartZone5_1
WebPartZone5_2
WebPartZone6_1
WebPartZone6_2
WebPartZone7_1
WebPartZone7_2
WebPartZone8_1
WebPartZone8_2
WebPartZone9_1
Last updated 02 May 2024