The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) is committed to the Australian Government's goal of reducing Indigenous disadvantage and to reconciliation between Indigenous and other Australians.

On 13 February 2008, during the Apology to the Stolen Generations, the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, committed to six ambitious targets to Close the Gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Council of Australian Governments has endorsed these targets.

Of the Closing the Gap targets, DEEWR has key responsibility for the following:

1. to ensure all Indigenous four years olds in remote communities have access to early childhood education within five years;
2. to halve the gap in reading, writing and numeracy achievements for Indigenous children within a decade;
3. to halve the gap for Indigenous students in year 12 attainment or equivalent attainment rates by 2020; and
4. to halve the gap in employment outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians within a decade.

The Australian Government, in partnership with State and Territory Governments, has been working to develop fundamental reforms to address Indigenous disadvantage. Five Indigenous specific National Partnerships have been developed - in health, housing, early childhood development, economic participation and remote service delivery. The new funding arrangements for education will also work to Close the Gap in Indigenous educational disadvantage.

As a department, we believe a commitment to reconciliation is not only the right thing to do but makes good business sense; a workforce that is respectful, understanding and inclusive of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can more effectively respond to their specific needs.

For more information, visit the Reconciliation Action Plan.

Contact us about the DEEWR Reconciliation Action Plan.

This web site contains information about what DEEWR is doing to Close the Gap targets as well as outlining the programs, initiatives and services available to help improve the lives of Indigenous Australians. It also provides information for Indigenous Australians interested in working in the Department.