Dear colleagues
Today, I am pleased to launch the Tasmanian State Service Aboriginal Employment Strategy 2026 and the accompanying Aboriginal Employment Action Plan 2026–2028.
The strategy represents a renewed commitment to ensuring the Tasmanian State Service is a place where Aboriginal people are welcomed, supported and empowered to succeed. It also reflects our commitment to building a workforce that better represents the community we serve and values the knowledge, experience and perspectives Aboriginal people bring to our workplaces, policies, programs and services.
Aboriginal people continue to face barriers to employment and career progression. As Tasmania's largest employer, we have an important role in helping to create opportunities, remove barriers and foster workplaces that are culturally respectful, inclusive and supportive.
The strategy focuses our collective efforts on five priority areas.
- Retaining, developing and advancing Aboriginal employees.
- Attracting and recruiting Aboriginal people into the State Service.
- Creating culturally respectful and responsive workplaces.
- Supporting Aboriginal employees to contribute their cultural knowledge and expertise to policy, program and service delivery.
- Strengthening data, reporting and accountability to drive continuous improvement.
The accompanying action plan outlines practical initiatives that will help us achieve these goals over the next three years. This includes strengthening career development opportunities through Aboriginal leadership and mentoring programs, continuing to expand Aboriginal Cultural Respect Training, and improving the systems and support that enable Aboriginal employees to thrive.
Creating a culturally respectful and inclusive State Service is a shared responsibility. Every one of us has a role to play in ensuring our workplaces are places where Aboriginal colleagues feel respected, valued and able to bring their whole selves to work.
I encourage you to take the time to read the strategy and action plan and consider how you can contribute to its objectives in your everyday work.
Together, we can create a stronger, more inclusive and more representative Tasmanian State Service – one that benefits from the skills, leadership and contribution of Aboriginal people at every level.
You can find the strategy and action plan at the Department of Premier and Cabinet website.
If you have any questions regarding the strategy or action plan, please contact TSSAboriginalEmploymentStrategy@dpac.tas.gov.au.
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to building a respectful and inclusive workplace.
Kind regards
Kathrine Morgan-Wicks PSM
Head of the State Service
