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Our diversity

Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples

The Queensland Government is committed to the employment of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples under Chapter 2 of the Public Sector Act 2022, which seeks to promote the employment of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples and under the government commitment to Reframing the Relationship in Chapter 1 of the Act.

Progress towards the target

  • A target of 4% of the workforce equates to 12,322 Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
  • As at March 2024, 2.66% of the workforce or 8,187 employees are Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Source : MOHRI, March 2024.

Employee experiences

  • 2,694 respondents of the 2023 Working for Queensland survey identified as being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander employees.
  • Employee engagement amongst Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander employees decreased from 59% in 2022, to 58% in 2023.
  • The employee engagement for people who did not identify as an Aboriginal person and/or Torres Strait Islander person remained stable at 59% in 2022 to 2023.

Source: Working for Queensland 2023.

Diversity as a barrier to success

  • 64% of Aboriginal peoples agree or strongly agree that being a First Nations person is not a barrier to success.
  • 66% of Torres Strait Islander peoples agree or strongly agree that being a First Nations person is not a barrier to success.
  • 64% of peoples both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander agree or strongly agree that being a First Nations person is not a barrier to success.
  • Perceptions of respondents that are not First Nations people are notably higher than those that are, with 73% strongly agreeing or agreeing that being an Aboriginal and/or a Torres Strait Islander person is not a barrier to success.

Source: Working for Queensland 2023.

Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

  • 54% of all respondents advised they work directly with or deliver services to Aboriginal peoples and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.
  • Among those who identified as Aboriginal peoples and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, this figure rose to 69% working directly with or delivering services to Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Source: Working for Queensland 2023.