Reconciliation Journey

 

We’re proud to provide this progress update on our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2023–2025, reflecting our ongoing dedication to reconciliation throughout Australia. In the last two years, we’ve worked to strengthen relationships, foster respect, and create meaningful opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

 

With the Innovate RAP 2023–2025 now complete, we’re reflecting on the milestones reached, lessons learned, and challenges overcome. These insights will guide us as we embark on the development of our next Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan, striving for even stronger outcomes in the years ahead.

 

We’ve prioritised genuine partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The formation of our External RAP Advisory Committee, comprising respected leaders from across Australia, has ensured our strategies are developed in true collaboration. Their culturally informed advice has strengthened our accountability and upheld self-determination in all RAP-related actions.

 

Respect is at the heart of our Innovate RAP, and we have taken deliberate steps to embed cultural protocols into our everyday practices. A key initiative has been the delivery of Acknowledgement of Country workshops, which were hosted during National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week. These practical and interactive sessions, led by members of our RAP Working Group, helped colleagues understand the significance of Acknowledgement of Country and how to craft a meaningful and personalised statement. The workshops were offered both in-person across offices and virtually to ensure accessibility for all employees.

 

In addition to these workshops, we launched a Cultural Protocol Document to guide respectful engagement and ensured plaques acknowledging Traditional Custodians were displayed all offices. Internal initiatives such as Reading for Reconciliation book clubs have further deepened understanding, creating a workplace culture that values and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and perspectives.

 

A significant achievement has been our participation in the First Nations Employment Index, led by the National Indigenous Employment and Training Alliance. This research initiative benchmarks employment practices across organisations and provides valuable insights into how we can improve representation, retention, and career progression for First Nations peoples in our organisation. By contributing to this national study, we have gained a deeper understanding of systemic barriers and best-practice approaches, which will be used to inform our recruitment strategies and internal policies.

 

We have also strengthened our commitment to economic participation through procurement initiatives. Our partnership with Mandura, has been a cornerstone of this effort. We have sustained our procurement spend with Mandura and contributed to sustainable economic outcomes. This relationship was further deepened through a visit from members of our RAP Working Group and our Executive Leadership Team to WINC/Mandura’s operations, reinforcing our shared commitment to reconciliation and economic empowerment.

 

To amplify awareness and drive action, we hosted a Reconciliation Week webinar featuring Scott Allen, CEO of Mandura and member of our External RAP Advisory Committee. Scott spoke passionately about the importance of procurement and employment in creating meaningful opportunities for First Nations peoples. This session inspired our colleagues to consider how everyday decisions can contribute to reconciliation and inclusive growth.

 

Strong governance underpins the success of our RAP. We maintained a RAP Working Group with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation and senior leadership sponsorship to ensure accountability and progress.

 

Quarterly reporting processes to our colleagues and leaders and alignment with Reconciliation Australia’s Impact Measurement Survey have enabled us to track outcomes effectively and ensure our colleagues understand our progress, and how they can get involved in our reconciliation journey.

 

While we’ve made significant strides within this RAP, we recognise the complexity and importance of employment strategies. Our research and consultation have been critical, but the next step is moving from planning to action, developing and embedding employment strategies and creating sustainable employment pathways.

 

We’ve also identified the need for a broader accountability framework, ensuring responsibility for RAP actions is aligned with strategic priorities and shared across the business.

 

Our journey is far from over. The learnings from this year will guide the development and delivery of our next RAP, due to be published in 2026, helping us deliver tangible outcomes that advance reconciliation and economic participation. We remain committed to building strong relationships, fostering respect, and creating opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

 

Thank you to our RAP Working Group and External Advisory Committee for their insights, support, and passion as we work toward our vision: that all Australians recognise, respect, and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their knowledges, cultures, and connection to country.

 

Come as you are. By joining Hays you’ll be part of an inclusive culture that celebrates diversity, recognising every individual for their unique differences.

 

We invite people of all genders, ages, cultures, abilities, backgrounds, and experiences to apply. This includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people who belong to LGBTQIA+ community, neurodiverse individuals, and people with disabilities.