Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Capability Framework

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Capability Framework (the Framework) provides a basis for building the cultural capability of the Commonwealth public sector.

It was developed in 2015 to adopt a holistic approach to building cultural capability and explains the skills, knowledge, and practices that employees need to perform their duties in a culturally informed way.

The Framework enables agencies and managers to identify skills and practices across three domains of cultural capability that support good outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples:

1. Knowing - Knowing and understanding history, culture, customs and beliefs
2. Doing - Culturally appropriate action and behaviour
3. Being - Awareness, authenticity and openness to examining own values and beliefs.

In each domain there are Core and Functional areas of capability that can be applied at any classification. Effective practice in all three domains contributes to an employee developing their cultural capability. Cultural capability is a continuous process of learning.

Suitable for

All staff.

Category and User Level

This resource aligns with Diversity and Inclusion under APS People at the Foundation level.