• Section 1 - Purpose
• Section 2 - Application
• Section 3 - Roles and Responsibilities
• Section 4 - Statement of Intent
• Section 5 - Core Commitments
• Grounded in sovereignty, culture and place
• Committed and inspired university leadership
• Collaborative, holistic and shared approach
• Build individual and organisational capability
• Take visible action
• Transform and reframe relationships
• Section 6 - Monitoring and Reporting

Section 1 - Purpose

(1) This Statement sets out the University’s commitment to continue to work towards delivering sustainable education, economic and social outcomes for and with Indigenous Australians.

(2) It should be read in conjunction with the Indigenous Australian Education, Research, Employment and Engagement Policy.

Section 2 - Application

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

Section 3 - Roles and Responsibilities

Section 4 - Statement of Intent

(4) QUT acknowledges the impact of colonisation, dispossession, racism, unjust legislation, policies and practices; and recognises the social, political, economic and educational disadvantages experienced by Indigenous Australians that continue today as a result.

(5) As an educational institution, QUT has a responsibility to redress disadvantage and to overcome exclusion, bigotry, ethnocentrism, prejudice and racism. The University commits to making real change by re-examining its approaches and seeking reforms to institutional systems and structures that perpetuate disadvantage, racism and exclusion in accordance with a rights-based framework that recognises and respects Indigenous Australians as the First Peoples and sovereign owners of Australia.

(6) QUT acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the first peoples and sovereign owners of Australia with inherent rights as the Indigenous peoples of Australia. QUT recognises and affirms its obligation and unique opportunity, as an educational leader, to promote and advance the rights of Indigenous Australians, in accordance with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Section 5 - Core Commitments

(7) The University’s approach to delivering sustainable education, economic and social outcomes for and with Indigenous Australians across the whole institution will be guided by the following core commitments.

Grounded in sovereignty, culture and place

(8) QUT recognises that it is located on the lands of the Turrbal and Yugara peoples and commits to providing an education and research environment that centres on the sovereign rights of Indigenous Australians as the first people and sovereign owners of Australia.

(9) QUT recognises the rights of Indigenous Australians to self-determination and engagement in decision making that impacts on their own lives and their rights to maintaining, controlling, protecting and developing their heritage and culture.

(10) The University acknowledges the importance of culture and Country to Indigenous Australians as key factors in their spirituality, wellbeing and identity; and commits to ensure they are key ingredients woven into the fabric of the University and efforts to advance their outcomes.

Committed and inspired university leadership

(11) QUT Vice-Chancellor and President and senior university leaders commit to prioritise and drive delivery of transformational outcomes for Indigenous Australians as a University-wide commitment embedded within institutional strategy, systems and structures.

(12) Leaders at all levels of the University commit to implementing leadership oriented toward promoting cultural and systemic change that supports and inspires Indigenous Australian excellence and success. The University will identify, support and promote an active Indigenous Australian leadership within the University to lead and influence high-level strategic directions and decisions.

Collaborative, holistic and shared approach

(13) QUT commits to establishing a collaborative, holistic and shared approach led by Indigenous Australians that encompasses the broad resources and expertise of the University, with University leaders sharing responsibility and accountability for outcomes.

(14) To support the change effort across the University and ensure the achievement of holistic outcomes, the University will implement a consistent structure for Indigenous Australian education, research, and engagement.

(15) Acknowledging the centrality of Indigenous Australian leadership to this approach and commits to creating spaces for Indigenous Australians to have a voice and ensure their knowledge and perspectives are considered in decision-making at all levels. The University will also have in place a clear and flexible vision with a long-term orientation that defines our whole-of-University aspiration, approach and outcomes for Indigenous Australians embedded as part of the University’s core business.

Build individual and organisational capability

(16) QUT commits to create an organisational culture and environment that respects, values and celebrates Indigenous Australian culture, knowledges and perspectives.

(17) The University commits to fostering a greater understanding, respect and recognition of the richness and diversity of Australia's First People and supporting a range of improved capabilities in students, staff and the broader University community.

(18) QUT acknowledges the strength of Indigenous Australians knowledges and its contributions to achieve real change for Indigenous Australians, their communities and the wider Australian community.

(19) To achieve long-term sustainable change and redress the power imbalance between the institution and Indigenous Australians, the University commits to reforming its institutional policies, systems and structures that perpetuate disadvantage, racism and exclusion.

Take visible action

(20) QUT commits to demonstrate through concrete actions and outcomes the high value it places on Indigenous Australian knowledge, cultures and histories through the University’s education, research and engagement.

(21) The University will embed an Indigenous Australian outcome as a cross-institutional priority; create strategies and plans that enable the University’s commitment; and prioritise funding, expertise and resources to deliver optimal outcomes for Indigenous Australians. The University will include Indigenous Australian outcomes in key performance indicators and targets for the University, with responsibilities and accountabilities shared across the University.

Transform and reframe relationships

(22) QUT commits to transform and reframe its relationships internally, externally and with Indigenous Australians that acknowledges, values and respects Indigenous Australian sovereignty.

(23) QUT will support sustainable, ethical and mutually beneficial relationships that recognise the sovereign rights of Indigenous Australians to lead, make decisions, set priorities, freely pursue their development, and deliver real change on their terms.

(24) QUT will transform its internal relationships to ensure whole-of-University commitment, responsibility and accountability for the delivery of transformational cultural change is implemented across divisions, faculties and mainstream support services, led and championed by senior leaders.

Section 6 - Monitoring and Reporting

(25) This Statement will provide the foundations for Indigenous Australian priorities and actions articulated within QUT’s Strategic Plan, Indigenous Australian strategy, and relevant teaching, learning, research, and employment policies, plans, and strategies.

(26) 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.