Starting your Reconciliation
Action Plan (RAP)
Developing a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) provides your organisation with a roadmap for engaging respectfully with First Nations stakeholders, turning good intentions into measurable actions.
What does reconciliation mean?
The RAP program originated out of the wider societal movement towards reconciliation in Australia and represents institutional involvement in the process.
Reconciliation is a concept that involves all Australians. It is meant to represent a coming together of both sides as equals through discussion and understanding. Alongside the principles of self-determination and social justice, it is recognised as a critical component to overcoming inequality experienced by First Nations people in Australia.
The understanding of reconciliation in Australia has evolved over the last 30 years since the formation of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation in 1991. More recently, consensus has been built around the need for constitutional recognition as the next critical step in addressing systemic inequality.
Reconciliation Australia is the lead body for reconciliation, acting as an independent not-for-profit organisation. Its main activities include promoting and facilitating reconciliation among organisations, people, and policies. Through their work, they aim to involve all Australian communities and develop trust, respect, and relationships.
“At its heart, reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples, for the benefit of all Australians” – Reconciliation Australia
According to Reconciliation Australia, reconciliation today can be understood through five dimensions:
In 2022 Reconciliation Australia’s Reconciliation Barometer study found that while there is strong willingness and need to improve the relationship, more education and guidance is needed.
“… Reconciliation concerns both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians – we are bound to each other’s fate. In order to achieve reconciliation, we must heal together – reconciliation is everyone’s responsibility …”
Tom Calma, ‘National Day of Healing: Everyone’s responsibility’, Australian Human Rights Commission,
Why develop a Reconciliation Action Plan?
Australian businesses wishing to become more engaged with First Nations causes and form relationships with First Nations people are encouraged to undertake a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
Since 2006, RAPs have been the primary way for organisations to adopt aligned practices and protocols to advance reconciliation, which result in tangible outcomes.
The RAP framework enables organisations to approach meaningful actions in a way that is strategic and sustainable, whilst ensuring leaders remaining accountable for their commitments.
For organisations at the beginning of their reconciliation journey, the Reflect RAP provides an appropriate introduction by setting the organisation up for meaningful action.
After the Reflect plan is complete, organisations can advance to the next stages which bring progressively greater expectations of action and involvement and longer time frames, with the option to repeat any plan types as appropriate.
The RAP prompts organisations to consider their reconciliation vision, journey and partnerships, while also laying out a set of actions to be taken. A RAP will deliver a range of benefits to organisations willing and able to make the required commitments.
Benefits of a RAP:
- A tried and tested framework based on evidence and consultation with First Nations peoples, improving the chance of success.
- Reviewed by Reconciliation Australia to ensure plans are ambitious and achievable, strengthening validity of their endorsement.
- Tangible and substantive benefits for First Nations people that increase economic opportunity and support First Nations self-determination.
- Real outcomes for building a culturally safe workplace and increasing cultural competency among employees.
- Sustainable strategies that deepen relationships, improve service delivery and enhance reputation for your organisation.
More than 2,700 organisations have formalised their commitment to reconciliation through a RAP, giving them the opportunity to strategically grow and advance their commitments through the framework.
Begin your RAP journey at Start your RAP – Reconciliation Australia.
