Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders at Department of Home Affairs

At the Department of Home Affairs and ABF, we are committed to building and valuing a diverse, professional and empowered workforce that authentically represents the community we serve. 

Our inclusive recruitment processes allow candidates to demonstrate their capability, ensuring that all applicants are assessed and compared fairly on merit.

​The aim is to improve representation in the Australian Public Service (APS) by:

• Promoting equality and non-discrimination in employment
• Recognising equality and non-discrimination in employment
• Recognising that everyone has the right to equal employment opportunities and providing extra support where needed to remove barriers for some groups
• Increasing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people with disability employed in the APS
• helping agencies meet the APS wide target of 2% representation

​Recruiting using affirmative measures follows the same process for recruiting any employee, with engagement and promotion decisions based on merit.

First Nations:

Outlined in Section 31 of the Australian Public Service Commissioner’s Directions, participating candidates must provide evidence that they:

• are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Australian descent
• identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Australian or both
• are accepted as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander by their community.

Applicants can confirm their heritage with either:

• a letter signed and executed by the Chairperson of an incorporated Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander organisation confirming that they are recognised as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person
• confirmation of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent form executed by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander organisation.