FAQs

The Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) program provides a framework for organisations to support the national reconciliation movement.  

It includes practical actions that will drive an organisation’s contribution to reconciliation both internally and in the communities in which it operates. 

The RAP Program contributes to advancing the five dimensions of reconciliation by supporting organisations to develop respectful relationships and create meaningful opportunities with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

There are four different types of RAP that a workplace can implement: Reflect, Innovate, Stretch and Elevate. Each type of RAP is designed to suit an organisation at different stages of its reconciliation journey and is symbolised by a unique logo provided to organisations through Reconciliation Australia’s endorsement process. 

As provided by Reconciliation Australia, Reconciliation is centred on five dimensions  

Unity 

An Australian society that values and recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and heritage as a proud part of a shared identity. 

Race Relations 

All Australians understand and value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous cultures, rights and experiences, which results in stronger relationships based on trust and respect and that are free of racism. 

Equality and Equity 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples participate equally in a range of life opportunities and the unique rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are recognised and upheld. 

Institutional Integrity 

The active support of reconciliation by the nation’s political, business and community structures. 

Historical Acceptance 

All Australians understand and accept the wrongs of the past and the impact of these wrongs. Australia makes amends for the wrongs of the past and ensures these wrongs are never repeated. 

RAPs are a powerful tool for advancing reconciliation. Each year over 100 new organisations join the RAP program, making commitments to advance reconciliation within their sphere of influence. 

It is through this growing community that the RAP program is able to achieve substantial and sustainable change. In 2017, the RAP community reported: 

9,579 partnerships between RAP organisations and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and communities. 

$265,706,519 worth of goods and services procured from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses. 

24,275 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples employed with RAP organisations. 

We also know that RAPs help to improve attitudes and perceptions toward reconciliation amongst employees. In 2017, workplaces with a RAP reported: 

Reconciliation Australia promotes a simple framework of relationships, respect and opportunities for implementing reconciliation action. Through these three core pillars individuals, organisations and communities can turn their good intentions into action. 

Relationships 

At the heart of reconciliation is the relationship between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. To achieve reconciliation, we need to develop strong relationships built on trust and respect, and that are free of racism. 

Almost all Australians believe the relationship between Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous Australians is important. Yet high levels of racism and low levels of trust between each other prevail. 

When we get to know each other, attitudes and behaviours toward each other improve. Further, when programs and policies that affect the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are developed and implemented in partnership, better outcomes are achieved. 

From a human rights perspective, relationships are central to principles of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander self-determination and free, prior and informed consent outlined under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). 

Respect  

Understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, rights and experiences underpins progress toward all five dimensions of reconciliation. Without respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of doing things, respectful relationships cannot be built. Without pride in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and heritage, we cannot foster a shared national identity. Without understanding the wrongs of the past, we cannot ensure these wrongs are never repeated.  

Over a third of Australians are still unsure, or do not accept a number of key facts about Australia’s past institutional prejudices against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Further, the majority of Australians still describe their knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures as low.  

When individuals, organisations and sectors embed cultural competence into their everyday business, we know that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people face less barriers in terms of accessing health, education and employment opportunities. Crucially, respect for and protection of culture, along with equality and non-discrimination are also fundamental human rights that apply to all peoples, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

Opportunities  

Equal participation in a range of life opportunities is crucial for the well-being of all peoples, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  

Large and unacceptable gaps between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians exist on all social, health, education and economic indicators.  

Respectful relationships form the basis for tackling this national challenge. Developing and implementing culturally appropriate, partnership-centered solutions that uphold the unique rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples helps to create the right environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to participate equally across education, employment and health opportunities.  

Read more about the attitudes, perceptions and behaviours shaping relationships, respect and opportunities between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous Australians in the Australian Reconciliation Barometer. 

Each of the four RAP types (Reflect, Innovate, Stretch, Elevate) set out the minimum elements required from your organisation to build strong relationships, respect and opportunities within your organisation and community. 

The Elevate RAP is for workplaces with a proven track record of embedding effective RAP initiatives (i.e. through strong implementation of at least one Stretch RAP) and are ready to take on a leadership role to advance dimensions of reconciliation at a societal level.  

Workplaces with an Elevate RAP are also expected to demonstrate greater transparency and accountability through an independent assessment of their reconciliation activities.  

To develop an Elevate RAP, workplaces must work in close partnership with Reconciliation Australia and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations.  

As such, the first step to take if an organisation aspires to develop an Elevate RAP is to contact Reconciliation Australia to discuss requirements, expectations and process prior to commencement. 

It is important to remember that developing a RAP is just the first step in your organisation’s reconciliation journey.  

After developing a RAP, implementation and continuous improvement are what committing to a reconciliation journey is all about. The RAP Working Group is the foundation of this journey.  

Reconciliation is an ambitious goal, so it is helpful to think of the journey has having no beginning or end, rather it is a cycle of continuous learning-by-doing and always aiming to improve.  

Once you have developed, endorsed and launched your RAP, your organisation’s focus should turn to the implementation and reporting cycles of the RAP journey.  

Reconciliation Australia has a template that needs to be completed. There are mandatory requirements within those templates that cannot be changed however can be adapted to particular deliverables that is relevant to the organisation- a tailoring process. This tailoring process usually incorporates an advisory group, or key Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and stakeholders, as well as RAP WG members, who are representatives of across the organisation. It can be submitted through the governance mechanisms through internal approval processes. 

Reconciliation Australia has a quality assurance process to ensure that each RAP that is endorsed meets the mandatory requirements of the RAP Framework. The template gets submitted to Reconciliation Australia. There are two steps: 

There are two main reports that Reconciliation Australia works towards: 

The RAP Impact Measurement 

The Australian Reconciliation Barometer. 

There is also another report that Reconciliation Australia has completed, and its called the State of Reconciliation. It provided the basis to the current RAP framework. The State of Reconciliation Report is available for review. 

In addition, Reconciliation Australia, like any incorporated organisation produces its own Annual Report.  

The RAP Impact Questionnaire measures the impact of the RAP Framework on the organisation, and externally. Reponses are aggregated to ensure organisations are not identified. It provides the basis of the RAP Impact Measurement Report. All data entered into the online RAP Impact Measurement Questionnaire is kept confidential.  

Additionally, the achievements and key learnings of the organisation will assist Reconciliation Australia to further develop the RAP Program and will contribute to the ongoing evaluation of the RAP Program. Although, reporting is a requirement of the RAP Program, it is also an opportunity to assess how the organisation is tracking against its commitments. If the organisations fail to report to Reconciliation Australia by the due date, it may affect the next type of RAP that the organisation can develop. 

Reporting on the RAP is an annual mandatory requirement of the RAP program, which is a commitment in the Reporting section of every RAP. To meet the reporting requirements, organisations are required to complete the RAP Impact Measurement Questionnaire, once every 12 months. The RAP Impact Measurement Questionnaire is an online questionnaire designed to measure progress against the minimum requirements of the RAP Program.  

In addition to completing the RAP Impact Measurement Questionnaire, Reconciliation Australia encourages all organisations to produce a public report to comprehensively capture RAP progress. This could take the form of a stand-alone publication, publishing the information on your website or as part of your annual report. Reporting publicly gives your organisation the opportunity to promote and celebrate your achievements and show leadership by sharing key learnings with the RAP community. 

Anyone with an Innovate or Stretch RAP are strongly recommended to also take part in the Workplace Barometer questionnaire. This questionnaire informs the Australian Reconciliation Barometer. It is also recommended that this questionnaire be completed as a baseline for those with a Reflect RAP. Anyone with an Elevate RAP is required to undertake the questionnaire

The RAP has a cross-portfolio working group. The group is an operational committee to coordinate the development, implementation and monitoring and review and renewing of Reconciliation Action Plan process.