The Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) is seeking Aboriginal service providers that can offer place-based cultural immersion training for employees as part of the department’s Aboriginal Cultural Capability Framework.

Expressions of interest have been extended to 7 August 2023.

This is a good opportunity for Aboriginal service providers in a range of areas where DPE has staff, including the Illawarra, Riverina Murray, Far West, Hunter and Central Coast, Central West, Far North Coast, Mid North Coast, New England, the Orana, Southern Highlands, and Sydney.

Potential Aboriginal service providers will be shortlisted and invited to tender for the delivery of services based on their local cultural knowledge. DPE Director of Aboriginal People and Cultural Affairs, Amanda McCarthy, said the framework will provide employees with comprehensive learning to improve Aboriginal cultural awareness and capabilities, enabling them to deliver the very best services in partnership with Aboriginal communities.

“Aboriginal people and cultures are so diverse that a ‘one size fits all’ approach to cultural learning won’t work,” Ms McCarthy said. “Employees need to immerse themselves in their local communities or on Country with Traditional Custodians, knowledge holders and language speakers and understand their intrinsic connections with Country and the broader community.”

Through the expression of interest process, DPE aims to establish a panel of preferred Aboriginal suppliers across NSW who can provide cultural immersion experiences and share the richness and diversity of Aboriginal culture and history on Country. 

With about 10,000 employees in the Department of Planning and Environment around NSW, the establishment of the panel represents real and tangible economic development opportunities for Aboriginal people, communities, and business. 

DPE works across a wide area of government services including Planning, Water, Aboriginal Housing, Social Housing and Property, Crown Lands, Office of Local Government and Environment, Energy, Heritage and Science.

Further information on the expression of interest can be found here: www.tenders.nsw.gov.au/