The Aboriginal Workforce Development Statewide Strategy (Statewide Strategy) 2020–2025 has been developed as part of the initiatives of the NSW government’s Aboriginal Child and Family Investment Strategy (ACFIS). It identifies ways to strengthen the Aboriginal workforce as part of the government’s commitment to achieve better outcomes for Aboriginal children and families.

Key Findings/Recommendations:

• With the goal of having Aboriginal people servicing the Aboriginal child and family sector, there will need to be a statewide increase in Aboriginal community controlled organisations (ACCO)s and an increase in the Aboriginal workforce with higher level specialisation.
• In order to overcome the negative experiences and history of the sector, it is important that a change strategic campaign is run to influence and share positive stories on the work achieved by the Aboriginal child and family sector through storytelling. This can be done through identifying positive motivational stories from practitioners and families in areas such as preservation, restoration and leaving care.
• Many systemic issues present as barriers to potential Aboriginal workers entering the sector. These barriers can vary depending on location, and are not limited to issues of regional isolation, access to transportation, access to affordable childcare, access to technology, personal documentation, and complexities around obtaining police clearances or working with children’s checks. For the Aboriginal workforce to grow, it is important that local and statewide initiatives are undertaken to alleviate the barriers.
• Access to Aboriginal cultural education is crucial for all workers, to establish a culturally informed and inclusive workforce.