- Published by:
- Department of Transport and Planning
- Date:
- 21 May 2025
Language statement
We recognise the diversity of Aboriginal people living throughout Victoria. While the terms ‘Koorie’ or ‘Koori’ are commonly used by Aboriginal people of southeast Australia, we have used the term Aboriginal in this plan to include all people of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent who are living in Victoria.
The use of the words ‘our’ and ‘we’ throughout this document refers to the transport portfolio, including the Department of Transport (DoT) and its agencies and authorities, and the Major Transport Infrastructure Authority (MTIA) and its agencies and projects.
Acronyms
VAAF: Victorian Aboriginal Affairs Framework
RAP: Registered Aboriginal Parties
MTIA: Major Transport Infrastructure Authority
SRLA: Suburban Rail Loop Authority
SDRF: Self-Determination Reform Framework
Overview of the transport portfolio
On 1 July 2019, VicRoads and Public Transport Victoria came together with the Department of Transport to create a properly integrated transport department.
We don’t plan or operate our road, tram, or rail systems separately – we run a transport network. The new Department of Transport gives us a singular, integrated focus on tackling the big issues, planning for the future, and for partnering with others to address a range of issues.
We ensure that transport agencies and operators work towards a common goal of an integrated transport system that contributes to an inclusive, prosperous and environmentally responsible state. We also bring together management of ports, boating and fisheries for commercial and recreational uses.
The Department’s operational responsibilities are delivered in strong partnership with State Owned portfolio agencies and third-party operators, including:
Please refer to the Department's Governance page for further information on the Transport and Planning Portfolio
Victorian Aboriginal Affairs commitments and requirements
There are a number of Victorian Government policy commitments that have informed the development of this action plan.
The national ‘Closing the Gap’ agreement and other national partnerships
The Victorian Government is a signatory to the new national agreement on Closing the Gap (July 2020) negotiated between all governments and the Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Organisations (Coalition of Peaks).
Under this agreement a priority has been placed on partnership in decision-making between governments and Aboriginal communities, making mainstream organisations more culturally safe and responsive to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, as well as improved data sharing.
The agreement sets out 16 specific targets focused on necessary change to drive improved social and economic outcomes for Aboriginal Australians.
In 2019, under the new National Land Transport Infrastructure Partnership Agreement, the Victorian Government negotiated with the Commonwealth Government and other State and Territory Governments to attach Aboriginal employment and economic participation targets to Commonwealth funding provided to States and Territories for transport projects.
The Victorian Aboriginal Affairs Framework (VAAF)
The Victorian Aboriginal Affairs Framework 2018-23 is Victoria’s overarching strategic framework for working with Aboriginal Victorians to drive improved outcomes.
The VAAF commits government to advancing Aboriginal self-determination. In doing so, the VAAF builds on and goes beyond previous government approaches, by recognising that to improve outcomes for Aboriginal Victorians, government must enable self- determination through systemic and structural transformation.
The VAAF is comprised of six domains, under which sit 20 goals that guide tailored Victorian Government responses to improve social and economic outcomes for Aboriginal Victorians (see image A).
The Victorian Government’s Self-Determination Reform Framework
The Victorian Government’s Self Determination Reform Framework (SDRF July 2019) provides directions to Victorian departments and agencies on how to embed Aboriginal Self Determination in delivering outcomes identified in the Victorian Aboriginal Affairs Framework 2018-23.
The SDRF provides the architecture for all parts of State Government to report against the goals and domains of the VAAF.
While Aboriginal Self Determination means different things to different people, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples describes self- determination as the ability for Indigenous people to freely determine their political status and pursue their economic, social and cultural development.
It also describes Self Determination as a right that relates to groups of people, not individuals.
Our shared vision
‘All Aboriginal Victorian people, families and communities are healthy, safe, resilient, thriving and living culturally rich lives.’
The Victorian Government has heard from the Aboriginal community that Aboriginal self- determination encompasses a spectrum of rights that are necessary for Aboriginal Victorians to achieve economic, social and cultural equity, based on their own values and way of life.
Government action to enable self-determination acknowledges that Aboriginal Victorians hold the knowledge and expertise about what is best for themselves, their families and their communities and is the critical first step in achieving improved outcomes for Aboriginal Victorians.
| Self-determination enablers: What we will do | Self-determination guiding principles: How we will do it |
|---|---|
Self-determination enablers: What we will do Prioritise culture | Self-determination guiding principles: How we will do it Human rights |
Self-determination enablers: What we will do Address trauma and support healing | Self-determination guiding principles: How we will do it Cultural integrity |
Self-determination enablers: What we will do Address racism and promote cultural safety | Self-determination guiding principles: How we will do it Commitment |
Self-determination enablers: What we will do Transfer power and resources to communities | Self-determination guiding principles: How we will do it Aboriginal expertise |
Self-determination enablers: What we will do | Self-determination guiding principles: How we will do it Partnership |
Self-determination enablers: What we will do | Self-determination guiding principles: How we will do it Investment |
Self-determination enablers: What we will do | Self-determination guiding principles: How we will do it Decision-making |
Self-determination enablers: What we will do | Self-determination guiding principles: How we will do it Empowerment |
Self-determination enablers: What we will do | Self-determination guiding principles: How we will do it Cultural safety |
Self-determination enablers: What we will do | Self-determination guiding principles: How we will do it Equity |
Self-determination enablers: What we will do | Self-determination guiding principles: How we will do it Accountability |
Domains
- Children, family & home
- Learning & skills
- Opportunity & prosperity
- Health & wellbeing
- Justice & safety
- Culture & Country
Goals
Departmental and agency strategies and action plans
Victorian departments and agencies in the past have developed individual action plans, documenting how they singularly have incorporated Aboriginal inclusion strategically.
This is that plan, for the collective transport portfolio. The diagram below provides an overview of the current policies and strategies.
Treaty
In line with the principle of self-determination, in 2018 the Victorian parliament passed the Advancing the Treaty Process with Aboriginal Victorians Act 2018 which is Australia’s first ever treaty law that will create a framework for negotiating a treaty with Aboriginal people. Aboriginal Victorians are at the heart of Victoria’s nation-leading Treaty process, with the establishment of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria to drive negotiations and raise awareness in the community.
The governance arrangements identified in this plan will enable the transport portfolio to mobilise coordinated whole-of-transport support and action in response to the Treaty process as it unfolds and support the portfolio in delivering on the outcomes of this historic process.
Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 (and Regulations 2018)
The Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 recognises Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAP) as the primary guardians, keepers and knowledge holders of Aboriginal cultural heritage. RAPs are Traditional Owner groups, legally recognised under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006, with responsibilities for managing and protecting Aboriginal cultural heritage on their Country. The Aboriginal Heritage Regulations 2018 gives effect to the Act. The Regulations prescribe standards, set out the circumstances in which a Cultural Heritage Management Plan should be prepared and set fees and charges.
The transport portfolio works with RAPs to ensure consistency in how it meets its compliance obligations in line with RAP’s aspirations, is consistently compliant with the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006, and that any transport activities including construction appropriately manage Aboriginal cultural heritage. The transport portfolio has also recently employed a number of cultural heritage advisors to strengthen the portfolio’s capacity.
Overview of current policies and strategies
Transport Portfolio Aboriginal Self-Determination Plan 2020–2023
Whole of Country, Whole of Transport
Country plans support Traditional Owners in communicating their rights, cultural authority or interest in Country.
These plans are a valuable resource that can help inform partnership discussions between the transport portfolio and Victorian Traditional Owners.
Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010
The Victorian State Government is currently negotiating settlement agreements with Traditional Owner corporations under the Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010 (as an alternative settlement path to the Federal Native Title Act). Settlement agreements position Traditional Owners as full and equal partners with the State.
These agreements require the Department, MTIA and transport portfolio agencies to notify relevant Traditional Owner corporations about certain works on public land and to consult and negotiate before works commence.
Strategic framework for strong relationships and engagement between the Victorian Government and Traditional Owners of areas without formal recognition
This strategic framework sets out a pathway for improving relationships and engagement between the Victorian Government and Traditional Owners of Country over which formal recognition by the State has not occurred under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 (Vic), Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010 (Vic) or Native Title Act 1993 (Cth).
Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities
A shared commitment to equity, inclusion and diversity underpins the culture we are seeking to build across the transport portfolio. Our work in inclusion and diversity is underpinned by the responsibility of VPS Departments to adhere to the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities (2006) and aspire to take human rights into account in our day to-day work. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) describes self-determination as the ability for Indigenous people to freely determine their political status and pursue their economic, social and cultural development. It also describes self-determination as a right that relates to groups of people, not individuals.
Transport’s role in progressing Aboriginal affairs objectives
Aboriginal affairs objectives
The transport portfolio has significant capacity to progress Victorian Government Aboriginal affairs commitments, including through transport access to health, education, justice, training and employment services and opportunities, and enabling families and communities to stay connected. In delivering these services, the transport portfolio is committed to addressing and eliminating systemic racism and promoting cultural safety across the transport network.
Transport is also well placed to deliver local placed-based initiatives in partnership with other stakeholders that achieve multiple outcomes at once, including transport service improvements, training and jobs, and protection, promotion and celebration of Aboriginal culture and heritage through precinct upgrades.
The recent increase in size, value, geographical spread and timelines of the Victorian transport infrastructure pipeline has unlocked new opportunities to enhance Aboriginal economic participation outcomes, including through increased procurement by Aboriginal businesses, more direct employment opportunities within the portfolio, and skills exchange programs that build two-way transport and Aboriginal workforce capability.
The transport portfolio is particularly well placed to progress the following key economic targets:
- The whole-of-government target under Tharamba Bugheen - the Victorian Aboriginal Business Strategy 2017-2021 - that one percent of all contracts and purchase orders be sourced from Aboriginal businesses by 2019-2020. Supporting Aboriginal businesses in turn supports the Aboriginal workforce as Aboriginal businesses are more likely to employ Aboriginal people.
- The Major Transport Infrastructure Authority has a 2.5 per cent Aboriginal employment target (total labour hours) for its major projects, including the:
- Level Crossing Removal Project
- Melbourne Metro Tunnel Project
- West Gate Tunnel Project
- North East Link Project
- Rail Projects Victoria.
- Barring Djinang, the five-year Aboriginal Employment Strategy for the Victorian public sector, adopts a two per cent Aboriginal employment target for the Victorian public service.
- Increase Aboriginal Victorian representation on boards in the transport portfolio.
Transport’s commitment to engaging as one with Aboriginal Victorians to deliver self-determined outcomes
The portfolio recognises that to achieve real change and enable self-determination, Aboriginal Victorians need to be at the centre of government decision-making.
To enable this, the transport portfolio has committed to engaging as one with Aboriginal Victorians on the breadth of Victorian transport activities to reduce the consultative burden, enable more informed decision making to occur and enhance outcomes through leveraging the portfolio – its projects, operations, budgets and expertise - as a whole.
Through this new model of engagement regional chapters or action plans will be drafted at the local level capturing self determined activities that leverage the portfolio to deliver on the unique needs and aspirations of Aboriginal communities.
Regional chapters will be attachments to this plan, promoted on transport portfolio websites, and will be monitored, updated and reported on regularly. Each Regional chapter will adopt the overarching actions within this plan as standard actions, with transport regions to then establish with Aboriginal stakeholders at the local level the best way to deliver them. Regional chapters will be designed to demonstrate direct links back to VAAF goals, domains and enablers.
An invitation to co-design partnerships with Registered Aboriginal Parties will also be extended and (where appropriate) established, creating a mechanism for more strategic conversations to occur between the portfolio and these critical stakeholders.
This plan has been led by the Transport Aboriginal Self-Determination Steering Committee, comprised of senior executives and staff from across the transport portfolio. The steering committee membership includes senior Aboriginal staff from within the portfolio. Engagement with the portfolio’s Aboriginal Staff Network, infrastructure directors and operational leads has also supported development of the plan.
In progressing this, the portfolio will actively seek to collaborate with other state agencies, local councils and Regional Partnerships to further enhance outcomes.
Embedding self-determination across the transport portfolio
The Victorian Government’s Self Determination Framework (SDRF) guides public service action to enable self-determination in line with commitments in the Victorian Aboriginal Affairs Framework (VAAF).
Reform domains and action areas
The SDRF requires departments and agencies to develop actions against four reform domains. The goals across these reform domains include:
People
Build a culturally safe public service workforce that understands and has the capacity to enable Aboriginal self-determination in all policies and programs;
Systems
Transform government systems and structures to enable Aboriginal decision-making, leadership and strategic service provision by embedding the self-determination enablers;
Outcomes
Adopt an outcomes-focused approach that will enable flexibility and Aboriginal leadership in government’s efforts to embed the self-determination enablers; and
Accountability
Establish transparent, Aboriginal-led accountability of government and government-funded organisations to ensure that policies and programs are responsive to Aboriginal needs, priorities and aspirations, and that government action in Aboriginal affairs is consistent with the self-determination enablers and guiding principles.
Transport self-determination work streams and actions
People work streams and actions
The transport portfolio will implement policies and programs that create a culturally safe workplace, promote self-determination, and increase Aboriginal representation across the development and delivery of its responsibilities.
Transport self-determination work streams and actions
Systems work streams and actions
The transport portfolio will transform it's systems and structures to enable Aboriginal decision making, leadership and strategic service provision.
Transport self-determination work streams and actions
Outcomes work streams and actions
The transport portfolio will adopt an outcomes-focused approach that will enable flexibility and Aboriginal leadership in government’s efforts to embed the self-determination enablers.
Transport self-determination work streams and actions
Accountability work streams and actions
The transport portfolio will adopt an outcomes-focused approach that will enable flexibility and Aboriginal leadership in government’s efforts to embed the self-determination enablers.
Whole-of-government reporting on the Victorian Self-Determination Reform Framework
This section notes the questions that transport will report against yearly from June 2020, in alignment with requirements outlined in the Victorian Government’s Self-Determination Reform Framework.
Section 1: Self-determination
- What do you say publicly about your commitment to self-determination?
- How do you ensure the systematic application of the self-determination guiding principles in the development of policy, programs and initiatives?
- Do you have examples or case studies of approaches that have enabled or hindered enabling self-determination across the Department?
Section 2: Actions – Whole-of-government and departmental
- What actions is the Department currently undertaking to achieve the goal?
- What outcomes has the Department seen because of these actions?
- How can the Department improve its actions to achieve the goal?