What is a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)?

A Reconciliation Action Plan, or RAP, is a strategic document that outlines how an organisation can contribute to reconciliation in Australia. It offers practical actions, measurable targets, and transparent reporting methods to improve relationships, foster respect, and create opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

RAPs are designed to ensure that Australia’s First Nations Peoples are recognised, respected, and treated equitably in every facet of life, from employment and education to health and political participation.

Why is Q5 implementing a RAP?

Q5 recognises that achieving reconciliation involves raising awareness and understanding amongst all Australians about the rich history, culture, and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It’s not just about addressing past wrongs—it’s about creating a future of shared opportunities and equal status.

Our RAP reflects our commitment to building meaningful relationships, respecting the cultural heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and providing opportunities that cultivate sustainable futures. We believe that the first step in reconciliation begins with us, within our organisation.

The intended impact of our commitment

Implementing our RAP is a heartfelt commitment to making a difference, to embracing diversity, and to fostering an inclusive workspace. We are taking small but firm steps towards promoting cultural safety, championing respect for the rights of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and aspiring to develop leaders who embody these values.

Our RAP is not a quick fix but a journey of learning and growth. We are hopeful that by influencing our staff, clients, and community, we can cultivate a sense of shared responsibility and understanding of our national history and heritage.

Promoting mutual respect and positive relationships is at the heart of our RAP. Our objective is not to remedy all social and economic disparities faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples overnight, but to contribute, in our own modest way, to a larger, ongoing effort.

We seek to do this through actions like support strategies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, acknowledgment of traditional owners in all of our locations, cultural awareness training, and community partnerships. These actions are guided not by the certainty of outcomes, but by the sincerity of our efforts.

The impact of our RAP may not always be measured in concrete milestones, but in the sustained effort we’re making towards a change. We’re doing our best to contribute to a broader narrative of reconciliation, knowing that every step taken, no matter how small, counts towards building a stronger, fairer society.