The Aboriginal Employment Unit at the Victorian Public Sector Commission (VPSC) delivers on the Barring Djinang Aboriginal employment strategy.
Comprised of 4 team members, some of the Aboriginal Employment Unit’s current programs and initiatives include:
- Nyanak Lotjpa ‘We all talk’: an Aboriginal staff network supporting connection and development opportunities for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander employees working across the Victorian public sector.
- The Barring Djinang internship program: providing meaningful employment experiences for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students currently studying at university.
- Victorian government graduate program, Aboriginal pathway: providing an entry-level pathway for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander university graduates into the Victorian Public Service.
- The Barring Djinang career development program: supporting the development and career planning of mid-career Aboriginal employees from across the sector.
- The Barring Djinang leadership program: supporting the development of emerging Aboriginal leaders within the public sector.
Phase 2: Barring Djinang
In late-2021, the VPSC commissioned an independent evaluation of the Barring Djinang employment strategy (2018-2022). The evaluation recommended that all programs and initiatives continue to be delivered.
As a result, the Victorian government has committed to a further 12 months of funding to continue Barring Djinang’s program of work, while designing a business case for phase 2 of the Barring Djinang strategy.
The Aboriginal Employment Unit is in the early stages of consultation with departments to begin scoping issues and opportunities for phase 2 of Barring Djinang, due to come into effect in late 2023.
Phase 2 will build upon the achievements of the original Barring Djinang strategy enhancing recruitment, retention and career development initiatives to accelerate employment outcomes for Aboriginal staff and strengthen Aboriginal leadership capacity in the public sector.
Contact us
If you’d like more information about any of the Barring Djinang programs and initiatives, please contact the Aboriginal Employment Unit at aboriginal.employment@vpsc.vic.gov.au or call 0448 834 739.