Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

We are committed to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' learning, discovery and engagement, and promote a diverse and inclusive workplace that is reflective of the wider community.

The UQ Strategic Plan outlines how the strategies and objectives aligns with our mission to:

strive for the personal and professional success of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, staff and alumni
positively influence society through knowledge
support and develop inspirational leadership
advance ideas that benefit the wider community.

Employment strategy

We are committed to the ongoing employment of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in all academic and professional roles and levels.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Strategy 2019-2022 (PDF, 1.3 MB) outlines the pathways to achieving this commitment through 3 main objectives:

Grow: position UQ as an employer of choice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in all levels and areas of the University
Develop: provide access to career development opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff
Respect: develop a workplace that values the contribution and positive difference that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff provide

We recognise and value the significance and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our pursuit of excellence through learning, discovery and engagement.

UQ has supportive and inclusive policies and procedures, such as acknowledgement of the need to take leave for Sorry Business and NAIDOC activities.

The Indigenous recruitment guide (staff login required) (PDF, 83.9 KB) also supports UQ's commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment. It provides information on implementing recruitment and selection practices that are culturally appropriate and inclusive of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Employment opportunities

We are committed to providing employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We are looking for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to contribute to our success through bringing their knowledge, skills and abilities to work at both academic and professional staff roles at the University. We regularly have employment opportunities on a full-time, part-time, fixed-term or casual basis.

Indigenous Australian Temps

UQ Indigenous Australian Temps supports the placement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in professional staff areas such as finance, general administration, reception, personal assistant, project work and IT.

Find out how to apply for UQ Indigenous Australian Temps. We also strongly encourage you to apply for available positions at UQ.

For more information, email the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Team.

Academic Pathways Program

The Indigenous Academic Pathways Program (APP) seeks to match academic candidates with potential areas of employment at UQ, in a teaching, research, or teaching and research role related to the academic’s area of research or discipline.

Candidates for the Program can seek UQ employment through one or both of 2 primary mechanisms:

notifying the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Team when applying for an advertised UQ academic role (to attain additional information and support)
sending your academic resume to the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Team, who will work with you and UQ stakeholders to identify any suitable areas of potential employment.

In both cases, the Employment Team is the primary point of contact to assist you with seeking employment at UQ.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Professional Entry Pathway Program

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Professional Entry Pathway Program:

provides Indigenous Australians with an entry-level career pathway into UQ
aims to provide specific professional development and/or qualifications while also receiving practical hands-on experience.

Our Professional Entry Pathway program offers:

a qualification tailored on an individual basis
practical industry experience
competitive salary
fantastic professional development opportunities
supportive and flexible working arrangements
access to internal networks and cultural support.

Applications for the UQ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Professional Entry Pathway Program open in December each year, with a March commencement.

For more information, email the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Team.

Vice-Chancellor’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Graduate Program

The Vice-Chancellor's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Graduate Program provides an opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduates to develop their professional career at UQ.

The 12 month program offers:

an individualised training and development plan tailored to your career aspirations
a competitive salary
access to mentoring, coaching and staff networks
structured leadership, professional development and training opportunities
supportive and flexible working arrangements
a culturally diverse, safe and inclusive community
employment experience at a world class research and learning University.

Applications for the Vice-Chancellor’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Graduate Program are accepted annually from August to October. Successful candidates commence their roles in March each year.

The program is advertised through UQ Jobs.

For more information, contact the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Team by email indigenous_employment@uq.edu.au or phone (07) 3346 7960.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Steering Committee

The committee is responsible for shaping and monitoring the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Strategy.

We meet 4 times a year to:

develop and coordinate strategic actions regarding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment
provides recommendations to the Vice-Chancellor and President.

We are made up of representatives from a range of staff including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, union, and senior management representatives.

UQ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Staff Network

This network provides a regular opportunity to get together, share stories, make connections and discuss how UQ can keep developing as an employer of choice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The UQ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Staff Network is open to all Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander staff at UQ.

The network meets 4 times a year, providing an opportunity for a friendly staff catch up where we can have a yarn and discuss matters that are important to our community.

There is also a network newsletter that promotes UQ jobs, training and development opportunities and useful tips, and enables us to share achievements from our community.

Read past editions:

The creation of this network is an initiative from the UQ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Strategy 2019-2022.

Core Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Learning

All staff are required to complete Core Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Learning to enhance their cultural understanding, and personal and professional capacity to engage respectfully and effectively in an intercultural context.