Giving voice to the experience of Indigenous Australians experience at work

The second phase of the Gari Yala research project, which runs until May 9, aims to collate the experiences of Indigenous Australians to help create a safer, fairer, and more culturally inclusive workplaces.

Gari Yala 2 is a national study by the UTS Jumbunna Centre for Indigenous Education and Research, UTS Business School, and Diversity Council Australia (DCA), funded by the NAB Foundation.

The first phase of Gari Yala – which means "speak the truth" in the Wiradjuri language – was released in 2020.

The study exposed significant barriers faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers, including racism, exclusion, and inadequate workplace responses to concerns raised.

Phase two of the project is designed to build on the earlier findings by tracking progress and identifying ongoing challenges. The results are scheduled to be released in October 2026.

In a related study, recent research revealed that the hiring of Indigenous business managers by non-Indigenous businesses can help close the employment gap for First Nations peoples.

The paper, a summary of a larger study titled Making Indigenous Friendly Businesses led by the Australian National University (ANU), found Indigenous employment was 12 times higher in Indigenous-owned businesses than non-Indigenous-owned businesses.

Professor Nareen Young, associate dean at UTS Business School and professor of Indigenous policy at the Jumbunna Institute, said it was vital that First Nations voices continued to shape the national conversation about workplace safety and inclusion.

“Gari Yala is the only Indigenous-led and overseen employment research in the country that informs the employment community about what Indigenous people experience at work,” she said.

“It is self-determination in action. That vital factor means it is trusted by Indigenous people and as a result provides a wealth of information to assist in recruitment, retention, promotion and career development.”

Young said over the past five years, the project had led the change in narrative on Indigenous people’s employment needs, wants and ambitions.

“It is Indigenous-owned, working with ally organisations and people. We thank the NAB Foundation for their generous partnership, and mob for support.”

The Gari Yala 2 survey is open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 18 years or over who are currently working or have been employed within the past two years.

Kate Russell, chair of DCA’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander external advisory panel and CEO of Supply Nation, said the Gari Yala survey was extremely important in helping to determine the state of Indigenous employees’ workplaces, relationships with other employees, and pathways to advancement and their experiences of how employers prioritised diversity and inclusion.

“I encourage all organisations to be vigilant in developing safe and inclusive workplaces where all employees can feel secure and motivated to bring their best,” said Russell.

Reconciliation Australia CEO Karen Mundine encouraged employers and workplaces to share the survey with their First Nations employees.

“To improve the experience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the workplace we need to hear directly from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people about their experiences.”

The Gari Yala 2 survey is open now and takes about 20 minutes to complete. Eligible participants who finish the survey will be entered into a competition to win one of ten $100 Jarin Street gift vouchers.

More information

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