Swinburne was the first Australian university to achieve 'Elevate' status for their Reconciliation Action Plan 2017–2019. This is the highest level of endorsement granted by Reconciliation Australia.

This RAP outlines the vision for Swinburne and its relationship with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their communities across multiple areas:

• Embedding reconciliation in the management and governance structures of the university;
   
• Ensuring the culture of the university values and recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures;
   
• Increasing the recruitment and retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff;
   
• Growing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student enrolments, retentions and completions;
   
• Engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and organisations;
   
• Developing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges, curriculums and pedagogies in teaching and learning;
   
• Strengthening Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges in research