Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Awareness Training is an opportunity to learn more about the world’s oldest living cultures. Our cultures are interesting, diverse and inspiring. Through Cultural Awareness Training you will gain an insight into cultural practices as well as develop an understanding of Australia’s complex history and the issues resulting from colonisation that still impact on First Nations communities today.

Actively engaging with training to increase your awareness of First Nations cultures is not only interesting, it has many benefits for individuals, organisations and First Nation communities. 

Engage with the world’s oldest living culture

• Gain an understanding of the journey our First Nations communities have been on since invasion and the work they are doing today to support healing, wellbeing and change. 

• Having a deeper understanding of First Nations cultures supports you to get the most out of cultural immersion experiences.

• Strong allies take responsibility for their own cultural education and learn how to best support Aboriginal communities.

• Developing an understanding of true Australian history and its impact on our cultures puts you in the best position to contribute to change, and appreciate the strength and resilience of First Nations people, cultures and communities. 

Contribute to Change

• Having a deeper understanding of First Nations cultures increases your ability to contribute to challenging bias.

• Being culturally aware means you are better able to develop ways of working that support sustainable change and work with Aboriginal communities to close gaps in outcomes for Aboriginal people. 

• Cultural awareness also helps us keep cultures alive. By understanding and accepting cultural differences, you can help create space for our cultures. 

• Cultural awareness encourages truth telling and supports all Australians to embrace the truth about our history - a vital part of moving forward together is a shared understanding. 

• Culturally aware workplaces are more likely to foster culturally safe workspaces for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, increasing employment opportunities which contributes to economic development in First Nations communities. 

Build your skills and increase your professional opportunities

• Having a deeper understanding of First Nations cultures increases your skills and ability to contribute to Social Responsibility Plans - a sought-after skill set in many workplaces. 

• Being more culturally aware leads to more cultural connections and fewer interpersonal conflicts arising from cultural differences in the workplace. 

• When you’re culturally aware, you’ll know what’s considered offensive or inappropriate to others which may lead to accidental misunderstandings that could easily be avoided. 

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures are an increasingly recognised priority for all industries. Committing to increasing your knowledge and understanding opens up opportunities to work with local communities to share their stories in culturally safe ways that are meaningful. 

• Increasing your cultural understanding makes it easier to work in partnership with First Nations communities and increases the likelihood of building strong working relationships which ultimately increases the success of your professional projects. 

• Cultural awareness strengthens your capacity to participate in initiatives identified in Reconciliation Plans.