• Section 1 - Purpose
• Section 2 - Application
• Section 3 - Roles and Responsibilities
• Section 4 - Relationship to TEQSA Threshold Standards
• Section 5 - Objectives
• Section 6 - Priorities, Obligations and Commitments
• Learning and teaching
• Organisational culture and environment
• Section 7 - Monitoring and Reporting
• Section 8 - Delegations

Section 1 - Purpose

(1) QUT aspires to be an innovative leader in Indigenous Australian education, research and community engagement, nationally and internationally and is committed to delivering transformational change across the institution to positively impact the educational, social and economic inequities experienced by Indigenous Australians.

(2) To help achieve our aspiration, this Policy defines the University’s core obligations, responsibilities and commitments to Indigenous Australians across several priority focus areas. It provides a foundational framework to inform development and implementation of university actions articulated within the University’s strategic plan and other relevant institutional policies, action plans and strategies.

(3) This Policy should be read in conjunction with the QUT Commitment to Indigenous Australians.

Section 2 - Application

(4) This Policy applies to all staff and students of the University and all other members of the University community.

Section 3 - Roles and Responsibilities

Section 4 - Relationship to TEQSA Threshold Standards

(5) This Policy assists the University to satisfy the provision of standards within 6.2 Corporate Monitoring and Accountability of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021, specifically Standard 6.2.1.g, where QUT is required to demonstrate, and QUT Council is assured, that the University is operating effectively and sustainably through compliance with a range of obligations including educational policies and practices support participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and are sensitive to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge and cultures.

Section 5 - Objectives

(6) In developing and implementing actions to deliver on priorities, obligations and commitments outlined in this Policy, QUT aims to:

1. increase access, participation and completion of Indigenous Australians in higher education;
2. develop cultural competencies of students, graduates and staff to enhance their personal understandings of Indigenous Australian people and cultures;
3. recognise of the sovereign rights of Indigenous Australians and their rights to self-determination in decision-making that impacts on their own lives and maintaining, controlling, protecting and developing their heritage and culture;
4. build and support Indigenous Australian research excellence and innovation;
5. support Indigenous Australian staff excellence and success;
6. foster and forge strong, mutually beneficial partnerships with Indigenous Australian communities; and
7. create a university of its place, reflective of Indigenous Australian culture, embedded in Country.

Section 6 - Priorities, Obligations and Commitments

Indigenous Australian student access, engagement and success

(7) The University will:

1. increase opportunities for Indigenous Australians to access higher education and provide pathways to university for Indigenous Australians that builds on their strengths, capabilities and aspirations;
2. deliver student-centred, holistic, strengths-based and integrated model of student support to ensure Indigenous Australians have the support they need to participate actively, fulfill their potential, and succeed in their university course; and
3. develop and implement targeted strategies to support Indigenous Australian student engagement and success, with key performance indicators and targets for the University embedded within institutional reporting.

Learning and teaching

(8) The University will:

1. embed Indigenous Australian knowledges and perspectives as a core element of the University’s overall approach to learning and teaching; and provide all students with purposeful learning opportunities that enhance their understanding of the richness and diversity of Australia's Indigenous people through the curriculum;
2. support faculties and academic staff to develop their competencies to embed Indigenous Australian knowledges and perspectives into their teaching, learning, curriculum and assessment; and
3. include an Indigenous Australian cultural competency attribute as part of its overall vision for QUT graduates.

Indigenous Australian research

(9) The University will:

1. develop and implement an Indigenous Australian research strategy to build Indigenous Australian research capacity and capability across the University;
2. implement high quality, transformative research that is beneficial and relevant to the needs and priorities of Indigenous Australian communities and grow the body of Indigenous Australian-led research and research co-designed with Indigenous Australians; and
3. provide a research environment and structure that develops, supports and invests in Indigenous Australian research skills and talent and promote research partnerships with Indigenous Australian communities that are ethical, meaningful, respectful and mutually beneficial.

Indigenous Australian employment

(10) The University will:

1. have in place an Indigenous Australian employment strategy that includes initiatives for attracting, developing and retaining Indigenous Australian staff;
2. implement strategies to increase representation of Indigenous Australian staff at the University and embed an Indigenous Australian employment outcome as a key performance indicator with targets for the University within institutional reporting; and
3. provide an attractive and culturally affirming employment destination for Indigenous Australians that supports and develops their personal and professional aspirations and promotes their wellbeing and engagement.

Indigenous Australian community engagement and partnerships

(11) The University will:

1. engage in respectful, ethical, reciprocal and strategic relationships with Indigenous Australian communities and organisations that realise their right to self-determination, support the pursuit of their educational, economic and social ambitions, and create positive changes in areas of importance to them;
2. establish mechanisms, structures, and processes to ensure representation and involvement of Indigenous Australians in university decision-making at various levels, particularly at the highest levels;
3. ensure university projects or initiatives that concern Indigenous Australians are Indigenous-led or co-designed with Indigenous Australians;
4. establish appropriate international partnerships that foster the advancement of Indigenous Australians education, research, engagement and cultural perspectives through implementation of student and staff exchange programs and scholarships;
5. implement a program to engage, activate and celebrate Indigenous Australian alumni focussed on building relationships, celebrating excellence and leveraging expertise; and
6. embed mechanisms and processes to acknowledge, celebrate and respect the Turrbal and Yugara peoples as the Aboriginal owners of the lands on which QUT stands.

Organisational culture and environment

(12) The University will:

1. embed an Indigenous Australian priority within the institutional strategic plan and integrated planning framework that includes Indigenous Australian outcomes in key performance indicators and targets for the University;
2. develop an Indigenous Australian Strategy aligned with existing university frameworks that articulate the University’s vision, priorities and commitments for Indigenous Australian education, research and engagement;
3. create a sense of belonging and place for Indigenous Australian students, staff and community by transforming the physical and digital environments of both campuses to reflect the culture and history of Indigenous Australians and establishing dedicated Indigenous Australian spaces within the University that provide culturally affirming, intellectually engaging places of connection; and
4. provide culturally safe teaching, learning and work environments by implementing strategies and programs that promote anti-racism, build organisational capability and celebrate Indigenous Australian culture, knowledge and perspectives.

Section 7 - Monitoring and Reporting

(13) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Australians) will provide an annual report to QUT Council on the overall strategic direction of the University regarding Indigenous Australian education, research and engagement, including progress against key performance indicators and summary of key achievements and activities.

(14) The Indigenous Australian Advisory Committee (IAAC) will monitor and report to the Vice-Chancellor and President on the implementation of the Policy. Indigenous Australian Advisory Committee (IAAC) will advise and make recommendations to the Vice-Chancellor and President on Indigenous Australian education, research, employment and engagement.

Section 8 - Delegations

(15) There are no delegations made under this Policy.