Welcome to the Indigenous Employment Services Toolbox

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population is as diverse in character as any other group in the Australian population. However, because of their history, Indigenous Australians are also the most disadvantaged group in Australia.

Indigenous Australians often have to contend with multiple barriers to employment and training and therefore require targeted and additional assistance in order to gain access to the same opportunities as non-Indigenous Australians.

If you are to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander job seekers, it is important to develop an understanding and knowledge of the issues they face, their circumstances and how to communicate in a sensitive and appropriate manner. The following information provides some general background on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and some guidance on dealing with Indigenous clients.

As acknowledged above this group is diverse. In addition to this general information, there may be protocols and conditions specific to individual communities that you will need to be aware of and respond to accordingly.

Terminology

For the purposes of this site we have used the terms Indigenous and Indigenous Australian. It is acknowledged that there are other local terms used to describe Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the original occupants of Australia. 

It is always preferable to confirm these terms with your Indigenous clients. Some terminology is specific to some cultural and geographic groups.

Printing the Indigenous Employment Services Toolbox

To print the entire Indigenous Employment Services Toolbox, including all guides, exercises, case studies and links, please download the easy print PDF below. To print individual pages please find the 'print this page' icon situated at the bottom left hand corner of all pages.

Easy print PDF: Entire Indigenous Toolbox printable version