Aboriginal Identified Jobs in Australia: What They Mean and How to Find Them
If you have been searching for Aboriginal jobs, Aboriginal identified jobs or Indigenous jobs in Australia, you have probably come across job advertisements using words such as identified position, affirmative measure, First Nations identified role or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants only.
They can sound similar, but they do not always mean exactly the same thing.
Understanding the difference can help you recognise opportunities that are available to you, prepare a stronger application and know what an employer may ask you to demonstrate during the recruitment process.
At Indigenous Job Match, we connect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with employment opportunities across Australia from entry-level and traineeship opportunities through to professional, management and leadership positions.
And one thing we want mob to know is this:
There are more opportunities available to you than you might think.
What Is an Aboriginal Identified Job?
An Aboriginal identified job is generally a position where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural knowledge, understanding, experience or engagement capabilities are particularly important to performing the role.
You might see these positions advertised using terms such as:
- Aboriginal Identified
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Identified
- Indigenous Identified
- First Nations Identified
- Identified Position
- Designated Position
- Affirmative Measure
- Special Measure
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants encouraged to apply
However, employers and jurisdictions can use these terms differently, so it is important to read the eligibility requirements in each individual advertisement.
Within the Australian Public Service, for example, an identified position and an affirmative measure position are different. An APS identified position requires particular capability in working effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples but can be open to applicants generally. An APS affirmative measure vacancy can be restricted to eligible Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants. Australian Public Service Commission
The most important thing is to read the advertisement rather than assuming what a particular label means.
What Is an Affirmative Measure Aboriginal Job?
Some positions are specifically restricted to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants.
In Commonwealth employment, these may be advertised as Affirmative Measure – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment positions.
The Australian Public Service Commission explains that the affirmative measure can allow a vacancy to be open only to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and is intended to address under-representation within the Australian Public Service. Australian Public Service Commission
These opportunities are not limited to jobs working specifically with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
An affirmative measure position could potentially be in:
- Human resources
- Finance
- Information technology
- Administration
- Project management
- Policy
- Communications
- Legal services
- Procurement
- Data and analytics
- Engineering
- Executive leadership
- Government service delivery
- Health
- Community engagement
That distinction matters.
You do not have to work in an explicitly "Indigenous" profession to access an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment pathway.
Identified Doesn't Always Mean Aboriginal Applicants Only
This is one of the areas that can cause confusion.
Someone may see the words "identified position" and assume the position is automatically restricted to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants.
That is not necessarily the case.
For example, within the Australian Public Service, identified positions require applicants to demonstrate an understanding of issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Those APS identified positions can be open to everyone. Australian Public Service Commission
Other employers may operate under different legislation, policies or arrangements.
So always look for wording such as:
"This position is open only to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants."
or
"It is a genuine occupational requirement that the successful applicant is Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander."
or information explaining the particular employment measure being used.
If the advertisement is unclear, contact the recruiter or nominated contact person.
You are entitled to understand the eligibility requirements before spending time preparing an application.
Where Can I Find Aboriginal Identified Jobs?
A good place to start is a specialist First Nations employment platform such as Indigenous Job Match.
Rather than only searching a general job board for the word "Aboriginal", search using several related terms.
Try:
- Aboriginal jobs
- Aboriginal identified jobs
- Indigenous jobs
- Indigenous identified positions
- First Nations jobs
- Torres Strait Islander jobs
- Aboriginal health jobs
- Aboriginal government jobs
- Indigenous traineeships
- Aboriginal apprenticeships
- Affirmative measure jobs
- Aboriginal graduate programs
- Indigenous employment opportunities
Different employers use different terminology.
Searching several phrases can uncover opportunities you may otherwise miss.
Aboriginal Jobs Are Available Across Australia
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment opportunities exist across metropolitan, regional, rural and remote Australia.
Depending on the positions currently advertised, you may find opportunities in locations including:
- Brisbane
- Cairns
- Townsville
- Mackay
- Bundaberg
- Toowoomba
- Gold Coast
- Sunshine Coast
- Sydney
- Newcastle
- Dubbo
- Melbourne
- Adelaide
- Perth
- Darwin
- Alice Springs
- Canberra
- Regional communities
- Remote communities
You may also find national, hybrid and remote-working opportunities.
When searching for Aboriginal jobs near me, try searching both your suburb and the nearest major region or city.
For example, someone living outside Brisbane might search:
Aboriginal jobs Brisbane
Indigenous jobs Brisbane
Aboriginal identified jobs Queensland
First Nations jobs Queensland
This gives you a wider view of the opportunities available.
What Types of Aboriginal Identified Jobs Are Available?
Identified and targeted employment opportunities can appear across almost every industry.
Some of the areas you may encounter include:
Aboriginal Health Jobs
Health services are a significant employer of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Roles can include:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers
- Aboriginal Health Practitioners
- Hospital Liaison Officers
- Mental Health Workers
- Social and Emotional Wellbeing Workers
- Community Health Workers
- Health Promotion Officers
- Program Coordinators
- Cultural Capability positions
- Management and leadership roles
These opportunities can exist across Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, hospitals, government health services and other health providers.
Aboriginal Government Jobs
Federal, state, territory and local governments recruit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates across a broad range of occupations.
Do not assume government Indigenous employment is limited to community engagement.
Positions can span:
- Policy
- Finance
- Administration
- Procurement
- Communications
- Human resources
- Digital services
- Project management
- Legal services
- Health
- Housing
- Education
- Justice
- Environment
- Leadership
Some may be identified positions. Others may use specific employment measures. Many ordinary vacancies may also strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates to apply.
Aboriginal Community Services Jobs
Community services remains another major employment area.
Roles can include:
- Family support
- Housing
- Homelessness
- Child and family services
- Youth work
- Domestic and family violence services
- Disability services
- Aged care
- Community development
- Alcohol and other drug services
- Social and emotional wellbeing
- Case management
Community knowledge and relationships can be particularly valuable in these environments.
Indigenous Traineeships and Apprenticeships
If you are starting your career or changing industries, search for Indigenous traineeships, Aboriginal apprenticeships and entry-level employment programs.
These can provide an opportunity to develop workplace experience while completing training or a nationally recognised qualification.
Opportunities may exist in:
- Business administration
- Government
- Construction
- Transport
- Warehousing
- Automotive
- Electrical trades
- Health
- Community services
- Banking
- Technology
- Professional services
You do not need to have your entire career mapped out before you begin.
Sometimes the first opportunity creates the pathway to the next one.
Do I Need Confirmation of Aboriginality to Apply?
It depends on the particular position and employer.
Some roles that are specifically restricted to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants may require evidence that the applicant meets the eligibility requirements.
For Australian Public Service affirmative measure vacancies, applicants may be required to demonstrate Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander status. The APSC notes that evidence requirements and the point in the recruitment process when evidence is requested can vary. Australian Public Service Commission
Do not assume that every Aboriginal employment opportunity will have exactly the same process.
Read the advertisement carefully.
If documentation is required and you are unsure what is acceptable, contact the employer before applying.
How Do I Apply for an Aboriginal Identified Job?
Start by treating it like any serious job application.
Read the advertisement from beginning to end.
Then ask yourself:
What is this employer actually asking me to demonstrate?
Look at:
- Mandatory qualifications
- Experience
- Cultural capability requirements
- Selection criteria
- Location
- Employment type
- Salary
- Working arrangements
- Application documents
- Closing date
- Eligibility requirements
Then tailor your application.
Avoid sending exactly the same résumé and cover letter to every employer.
Don't Undersell Your Cultural Capability
One of the biggest things we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates to think about is how they describe cultural capability.
Skills developed through community, family, Country, culture and lived experience can have genuine relevance in the workplace.
Depending on the role, that might include:
- Building relationships
- Working across communities
- Cultural communication
- Understanding community protocols
- Community engagement
- Stakeholder management
- Advocacy
- Conflict resolution
- Cultural leadership
- Working respectfully across different perspectives
- Understanding the impacts of systems on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
You should never feel that your only professional value is your Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander identity.
But equally, you should not automatically minimise cultural knowledge and lived experience when they are relevant to the position.
Before You Hit Apply
Take five minutes and check everything.
Ask yourself:
Have I tailored my résumé?
Have I addressed the application requirements?
Have I clearly explained my relevant experience?
Have I demonstrated cultural capability where the role requires it?
Have I checked whether supporting documents are required?
Have I checked the closing date?
Have I proofread the application?
And most importantly:
Am I ruling myself out unnecessarily?
Too many capable people read a job advertisement, see one requirement they do not meet perfectly and decide not to apply.
An advertisement often describes the employer's ideal candidate.
If you meet the important requirements and believe you can do the work, consider applying.
The Difference Between Being Eligible and Being Competitive
Being eligible for an identified or affirmative measure opportunity does not automatically mean you will get the position.
You still need to show the employer what you can bring to the role.
Your application should answer three questions:
Can you do the job?
Show your relevant skills and experience.
Why do you want the job?
Demonstrate that you understand the opportunity.
Why you?
Show what differentiates you from other applicants.
That might include professional experience, cultural knowledge, technical capability, leadership, community experience, qualifications or a combination of these.
Find Aboriginal Identified Jobs With Indigenous Job Match
Indigenous Job Match was created to connect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with employment opportunities across Australia.
We advertise identified positions, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment opportunities and general vacancies from employers seeking to reach First Nations candidates.
Because Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander careers should not be confined to one industry, one level or one definition of what an "Indigenous job" looks like.
Mob belong everywhere.
In community organisations.
In hospitals.
In government.
In trades.
In boardrooms.
In technology.
In universities.
In corporate Australia.
In leadership.
And everywhere in between.
Search Aboriginal Jobs Today
If you are looking for:
Aboriginal jobs
Aboriginal identified jobs
Indigenous jobs
First Nations jobs
Torres Strait Islander jobs
Indigenous traineeships
or your next career opportunity,
start your search with Indigenous Job Match.
Browse current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander jobs across Australia.
Your skills. Your culture. Your future.
Indigenous Job Match - built by mob, for mob.