Reconciliation in the Department for Health and Wellbeing

We want you to tell us about your understanding of and involvement in reconciliation in the Department for Health and Wellbeing (DHW) including the current DHW Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

We would also like your input on what the next DHW RAP should include and how we can increase future awareness and involvement.

Reconciliation is everyone’s business; your contribution matters because the next DHW RAP will contain our actions and deliverables for reconciliation over the coming three years.

What's being decided?

DHW’s current Reconciliation Action Plan, which was developed using Reconciliation Australia’s Stretch Framework, is due to finish in June 2025.

We have made some good progress towards achieving the objectives of the current RAP. However, not all actions and deliverables have been completed. As such, our next RAP, which will be developed this year, will also be in the Stretch Framework, ensuring we have a strong foundation to build on when we are ready to undertake the next framework (Elevate).

The DHW Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group is seeking your input to:

  • gain insights into any challenges in achieving the objectives of the current RAP
  • inform the development and implementation of our next RAP, so that we can be more effective in achieving its objectives
  • provide baseline data for assessing the success of future RAPs.

Input will be sought using a survey, ideas board, online forum and drop-in sessions.

Background

In the SA Health context, DHW recognises Aboriginal Peoples* as the Traditional Custodians of the lands in which we work and live and we celebrate their cultures and heritage. We acknowledge the impact colonisation has had on the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal Peoples and encourage all staff to take positive steps towards reconciliation.

Reconciliation, at its heart, is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal Peoples and non-Indigenous peoples, for the benefit of all Australians.

There are five dimensions of reconciliation – Race Relations, Equality and Equity, Institutional Integrity, Unity, and Historical Acceptance. Learn about each dimension on the Reconciliation Australia website.

Since 2006, Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs) have enabled organisations to sustainably and strategically take meaningful action to advance reconciliation.

Based around the core pillars of Relationships, Respect, and Opportunities, RAPs provide tangible and substantive benefits for Aboriginal Peoples, increasing economic equity and supporting First Nations self-determination as evidenced in Reconciliation Australia’s annual RAP Impact Report.

* In alignment with the leadership of the South Australian Commissioner for Aboriginal Engagement, the term ‘Aboriginal Peoples’ is used here to be inclusive of people who identify as Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, or both.

Get involved

Find out more

Have your say

What are the next steps?

A summary of the survey results and other input will be shared on this site.

We will use your input to inform the draft of our next DHW RAP, which will be developed in consultation with the Office of the Chief Aboriginal Health Officer.

The final RAP is expected to be released later this year and will also be available on this site.

We want you to tell us about your understanding of and involvement in reconciliation in the Department for Health and Wellbeing (DHW) including the current DHW Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

We would also like your input on what the next DHW RAP should include and how we can increase future awareness and involvement.

Reconciliation is everyone’s business; your contribution matters because the next DHW RAP will contain our actions and deliverables for reconciliation over the coming three years.

What's being decided?

DHW’s current Reconciliation Action Plan, which was developed using Reconciliation Australia’s Stretch Framework, is due to finish in June 2025.

We have made some good progress towards achieving the objectives of the current RAP. However, not all actions and deliverables have been completed. As such, our next RAP, which will be developed this year, will also be in the Stretch Framework, ensuring we have a strong foundation to build on when we are ready to undertake the next framework (Elevate).

The DHW Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group is seeking your input to:

  • gain insights into any challenges in achieving the objectives of the current RAP
  • inform the development and implementation of our next RAP, so that we can be more effective in achieving its objectives
  • provide baseline data for assessing the success of future RAPs.

Input will be sought using a survey, ideas board, online forum and drop-in sessions.

Background

In the SA Health context, DHW recognises Aboriginal Peoples* as the Traditional Custodians of the lands in which we work and live and we celebrate their cultures and heritage. We acknowledge the impact colonisation has had on the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal Peoples and encourage all staff to take positive steps towards reconciliation.

Reconciliation, at its heart, is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal Peoples and non-Indigenous peoples, for the benefit of all Australians.

There are five dimensions of reconciliation – Race Relations, Equality and Equity, Institutional Integrity, Unity, and Historical Acceptance. Learn about each dimension on the Reconciliation Australia website.

Since 2006, Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs) have enabled organisations to sustainably and strategically take meaningful action to advance reconciliation.

Based around the core pillars of Relationships, Respect, and Opportunities, RAPs provide tangible and substantive benefits for Aboriginal Peoples, increasing economic equity and supporting First Nations self-determination as evidenced in Reconciliation Australia’s annual RAP Impact Report.

* In alignment with the leadership of the South Australian Commissioner for Aboriginal Engagement, the term ‘Aboriginal Peoples’ is used here to be inclusive of people who identify as Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, or both.

Get involved

Find out more

Have your say

What are the next steps?

A summary of the survey results and other input will be shared on this site.

We will use your input to inform the draft of our next DHW RAP, which will be developed in consultation with the Office of the Chief Aboriginal Health Officer.

The final RAP is expected to be released later this year and will also be available on this site.

Discussions: All (1) Open (1)

  • Online forum

    about 1 month ago

    How do you think we can increase awareness of and involvement in our next RAP?