Frequently asked questions and supporting material

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.