What we offer

There are many great reasons to join the NIAA, from rewarding work with real purpose to attractive employment conditions and flexible working options.

We are looking for dedicated, collaborative and resilient people who want to work on complex matters to make a real difference to First Nations Peoples. If this sounds like you, then come work with us!

The NIAA experience and our unique employment offering includes:

Purpose

• We're all about supporting the self-determination and aspirations of First Nations Peoples – it's our driving force and inspiration.
• Valuing and sustaining the world's oldest living cultures strengthens the whole nation.
• We offer lots of career opportunities in a wide range of positions, from developing policy to enabling service delivery on-the-ground throughout Australia.
• At the NIAA, our work is transformational – you can follow your passion, shape your career and make a difference.

People

• We value our people – they're at the heart of everything we do.
• Our leaders inspire a sense of purpose and are accessible and supportive.
• Our working style is collaborative and agile.
• We invest in each other's success and share fundamental values. A driven, diverse and inclusive workplace is very important to us, so we champion multiple perspectives and encourage continuous cultural learning and professional development.
• We have generous remuneration and employment conditions, including flexibility so you can balance work with other commitments.

Partnerships

• Our work relies on strong and trusted relationships – supporting the aspirations of First Nations Peoples can't be done in isolation.
• We build partnerships by being authentic, sharing information and giving honest feedback.
• A key strength is our national footprint. With offices across remote, regional and urban Australia, we're on-the-ground, actively partnering with First Nations communities and all levels of government to co-design policies, deliver programs and influence change.
• We hold ourselves, and our partners, accountable to achieve positive outcomes.

'I am proud to work for NIAA because we are working together for a greater future'– NIAA Staff Member

The Australian Government has an ambitious agenda to support and enable the self-determination and aspirations of First Nations Peoples, and The National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) is a key partner in fulfilling the commitments to elevate First Nation’s voices, removing barriers to full participation in our national life and closing the gap.

We are committed to implementing the Government’s policies and programs to provide the greatest benefit to all First Nations peoples. Our priorities are informed by the Government’s commitment to work in genuine partnership with First Nations peoples for better outcomes. 

We support the Minister and Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians, as well as the Special Envoy for Reconciliation and the Implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Our priorities are set out in our Corporate Plan. 

If you want to take the opportunity to work with a diverse and committed team on a wide range of complex, important and fulfilling work at the forefront of Indigenous Affairs, then join us.

Employment conditions

• Our attractive remuneration package scales are at the higher end of the public service.
• Staff receive a generous 15.4% employer superannuation contribution and have access to the Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme.
• Full-time employees accrue 20 days of paid annual leave and 18 days of paid personal/careers leave for each year worked. Leave provisions are applied on a pro-rata basis for part-time employees.
• We provide a little extra for higher duties, travel assistance, retirement financial assistance, language proficiency, motor vehicle and corporate responsibility allowance (i.e. for First Aid Officers, Fire Wardens, Health and Safety Representatives, and Harassment Contact Officers).
• We provide an excellent work environment with strong technology support and flexible work conditions – good for work-life balance.
• You are invited to grow your capability with our leadership programs, coaching and mentoring, study assistance, professional skills training, seminars and cultural learning programs. We also provide assistance to undertake study that contributes to your professional skills and the Agency's business. We also pay professional membership and accreditation fees where they are essential to an employee’s role.

For further details about NIAA conditions, please refer to our current Enterprise Agreement and Remuneration and allowance tables.

Wellbeing

We are committed to providing a supportive and safe work environment. Our employees’ physical, mental and social wellbeing is important to us and we have policies and programs to help.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – professional, confidential coaching and support is provided by Benestar (our EAP Provider). This service is available to help NIAA workers (and their immediate family) manage their general health and wellbeing. Additionally, we have a dedicated support line for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees and their immediate family. 
• Annual Flu Vaccination Program
• Bullying and Harassment Policy and Harassment Contact Officers
• Domestic and Family Violence Policy
• Guidance and assessments to set up work stations correctly

We provide a flexible, accessible and inclusive work environment. We are able to facilitate ongoing support if you require any reasonable work adjustments to eliminate or reduce barriers so you can perform the key requirements of the job. 

Where we work

At the NIAA, one of our most valuable assets is our regional presence and large national footprint with approximately 1,300 passionate employees working closely with communities in our urban, regional and remote locations. This enables us to work closely and respectfully with First Nations communities, organisations, peak bodies, all levels of government and other parties to support the design and delivery of policies and programs that reflect the uniqueness of each community and their changing priorities. Our work allows us to value-add in place, including in response to emerging priorities, pandemics, and natural disasters.

"Policy is where the influence is - it has a real impact on the programs we deliver to people on the ground" - Angela Wood (NIAA employee, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Network member and Wagjigany woman). 

Our national footprint with office locations right across Australia also allows greater reach and influence in partnering with stakeholders including individual communities to ensure co-design of our policies and programs.

Our diverse and dedicated teams work closely with the communities they serve. NIAA staff routinely visit over 400 Indigenous communities. Our broad on-the-ground presence supports active engagement with communities and stakeholders to explain government policies and identify and implement tailored local solutions that address the Government’s priorities in Indigenous Affairs.

We currently have offices or an in-community presence in the following locations:

Office Locations (Canberra, Regional and Sub Regional Offices)*

* Please note, the NIAA also has additional remote office and/or community presences in a range of remote locations throughout Australia.