Background
In 2004 the Australian Health Ministers' Advisory Council endorsed the Cultural Respect framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health 2004-2009. This is an overarching framework that identifies cultural respect and cultural awareness within mainstream health services as a key factor in contributing to improved health outcomes and access to services for Indigenous people. It recognises that a concerted effort is required to systematically lift the cultural competency of Health, Housing and Community Sector services.
The framework acknowledges that there is a continuing challenge for mainstream policy makers and planners to be inclusive of the needs of Aboriginal Australians, and that challenges and priorities will be addressed differently in each of the jurisdictions.
The Department of Human Services Aboriginal Services Plan, in partnership with the Aboriginal communities in Victoria, outlines how the department will work with Victorian Aboriginal organisations and communities to achieve improved outcomes in key programs and services. It recognises the importance of Aboriginal Australians being actively involved with the department in the planning, development and delivery of programs and services.
One of the key strategies in the plan is to ensure that all departmental and Health, Housing and Community Sector service provider staff can access cultural awareness training programs by including training as an ongoing part of the department's training calendar.
In May 2004, the department's executive endorsed a paper titled 'Taking Forward the Aboriginal Services Plan in DHS' giving approval to the ongoing provision of funds to support Cultural Respect Training for departmental and sector staff.
To undertake this commitment, and consistent with the Aboriginal Services Plan, the Australian Health Ministers' Advisory Council Cultural Respect Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health 2004-2009, and the department's Indigenous Recruitment and Career Development Strategy, the department undertook to introduce a structured cultural respect training program in 2005.
The Koorie Heritage Trust Inc (KHT) was engaged by the department in June 2005 to design and deliver a generic program tailored to meet the needs of the department and the sector. The program is intended to complement program specific training on effective service provision to Aboriginal communities.
The Koorie Heritage Trust aims to protect, preserve and promote the living culture of the Aboriginal people of south-eastern Australia. The trust believes that through education and promotion it can raise an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of Koorie culture in south-eastern Australia and work towards the broader goals of reconciliation for all Australians. For more information visit the Koorie Heritage Trust website [external].
Eligibility/Criteria
The program is being offered as a priority to departmental and sector staff whose job brings them in regular contact with Aboriginal individuals and communities. The training is integral to fostering stronger and more respectful relationships with Aboriginal colleagues and clients. Places are targeted to the following staff:
- managers and colleagues of departmental Aboriginal employees
- departmental staff involved in front-end reception and direct service provision for Aboriginal individuals and families
- sector staff responsible for direct service provision to Aboriginal individuals and families (excluding staff employed in acute health organisations, receiving the 30% Aboriginal WIES supplement).
For further details see the guidelines for the Improving Care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Patients (ICAP) program [external].
Further Information
Please contact the relevant regional or head office program coordinator if you have any queries about the Cultural Respect Training.