The ACNC's Statement of Commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples details our commitment to reconciliation and to implementing the ATO’s Reconciliation Action Plan. The ACNC's Action Plan outlines the steps we will take to meet our commitment.
Our Action Plan identifies ACNC-specific actions and deliverables that complement the ATO’s Reconciliation Action Plan, are consistent with the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, and is also intended to recognise our independent role as Australia’s charity regulator.
The Action Plan has four key areas that align to the undertakings we made in our Statement of Commitment to:
- Build our understanding and appreciation of First Nations cultures, governance and rights as the foundation for respectful relationships and services
- Collaborate with First Nations organisations, peak bodies and other regulators to reduce red tape and support charities to meet their obligations to the ACNC
- Strive to create an environment where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees thrive in fulfilling careers and a culturally safe workplace, and
- Foster accountability and transparency.
Commitment 1: Build our understanding and appreciation of First Nations cultures, governance and rights as the foundation for respectful relationships and services
| Deliverable | Timeline | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| 1.1 Maintain at least one position for First Nations representatives on the ACNC’s Charity Forum | Annually | ACNC Commissioner |
| 1.2 Elevate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives at our ‘OneACNC meeting’, including through inviting guest speakers | Annually | Assistant Commissioner – General Counsel and Regulatory Services (RAP champion) |
| 1.3 Provide staff training to understand relevant legal frameworks and the history behind them (for example, Native Title, ORIC registered Corporations) | Every two years | Director, Legal and Policy |
| 1.4 Maintain the ACNC First Nations book library | Annually | Assistant Commissioner – General Counsel and Regulatory Services (RAP champion) |
| 1.5 ACNC RAP Champion to attend at least one external forum/conference to support staff to better understand Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander governance | Annually | Assistant Commissioner – General Counsel and Regulatory Services (RAP champion) |
| 1.6 Organise ACNC specific cross-cultural awareness training | Every two years | Assistant Commissioner – General Counsel and Regulatory Services (RAP champion) |
| 1.7 In collaboration with Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, key meeting places in the offices will be named using Woi Wurrung language and staff are supported to understand the purpose of this initiative | Annually | Assistant Commissioner – General Counsel and Regulatory Services (RAP champion) |
| 1.8 Organise at least one ACNC-specific NAIDOC week and National Reconciliation Week event (such as book club events) | Bi-annually | Assistant Commissioner – General Counsel and Regulatory Services (RAP champion) |
Commitment 2: Collaborate with First Nations organisations, peak bodies and other regulators to reduce red tape and support charities to meet their obligations to the ACNC
| Deliverable | Timeline | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| 2.1 Maintain our Memorandum of Understanding with ORIC to ensure it remains fit-for-purpose and provides a strong basis for collaboration | Annually | Director, Reporting and Red Tape Reduction and Corporate Services |
| 2.2 Strengthen relationship between ACNC, ORIC and other regulators of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander charities, including collaborating and co-designing with agency Indigenous Liaison teams | Annually | Assistant Commissioner – General Counsel and Regulatory Services (RAP champion) |
| 2.3 Promote a First Nations tailored resource (ACNC developed or externally developed i.e., ORIC, Australian Indigenous Governance Institute) in at least two editions of the ACNC’s monthly e-newsletter, The Charitable Purpose, per financial year | Annually | Director, Advice Services and Education and Public Affairs |
| 2.4 Revisit guidance regarding use of deficit-based language in ACNC template governing documents | By 30 June 2027 | Assistant Commissioner – General Counsel and Regulatory Services |
| 2.5 Commence review of ACNC Commissioner’s Interpretation Statement on Indigenous charities | By 30 June 2027 | ACNC Commissioner and Director of Legal & Policy |
| 2.6 Ensure Commissioner’s annual calendar of events includes engagement with First Nations charities | Annually | ACNC Commissioner |
Commitment 3: Strive to create an environment where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees thrive in fulfilling careers and a culturally safe workplace
| Deliverable | Timeline | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| 3.1 Communicate our commitment to reconciliation through the Commissioner’s Column, our social media and website | Annually | Director, Education and Public Affairs |
| 3.2 Ensure that all One ACNC meetings begin with an Acknowledgment of Country | Monthly | Assistant Commissioner – General Counsel and Regulatory Services (RAP champion) |
| 3.3 Monitor, tailor and implement ATO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander protocols guide | Annually | Assistant Commissioner – General Counsel and Regulatory Services (RAP champion) |
| 3.4 20% of all recruitment processes will include an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affirmative measure | Annually | Assistant Commissioner – General Counsel and Regulatory Services (RAP champion) |
| 3.5 Review the Aboriginal Liaison Officer function to ensure an appropriate level of support is available | By 30 December 2026 | Assistant Commissioner – General Counsel and Regulatory Services (RAP champion) |
Commitment 4: Foster accountability and transparency
| Deliverable | Timeline | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| 4.1 Appoint a RAP Champion for the ACNC | ACNC Commissioner | |
| 4.2 Report to the ATO against the ATO RAP actions and deliverables | Quarterly | Assistant Commissioner – General Counsel and Regulatory Services (RAP champion) |
| 4.3 Maintain and formalise a Statement of Commitment Working Group with a documented terms of reference to support the delivery of this plan | Assistant Commissioner – General Counsel and Regulatory Services (RAP champion) | |
| 4.4 Review and evaluate the Statement of Commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders | Every 3 years | Assistant Commissioner – General Counsel and Regulatory Services (RAP champion) |
| 4.5 Report our progress in the Annual Report against both the ATO RAP and the Statement of Commitment Action Plan | Annually | ACNC Commissioner |