Aboriginal Family Support Services jobs

Closes: 15 October 2026

Classification: Senior Officer Grade A
Salary: $172,246 plus superannuation
Position No: 72500
Directorate: Justice and Community Safety
Advertised (Gazettal date): 01 October 2026
Contact Officer: Julie Beddoe on Julie.Beddoe@act.gov.au or (02) 6207 4264

Details: The ACT Government is seeking an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Advisor to the Secretariat of the Board of Inquiry into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander deaths in custody at the Alexander Maconochie Centre.

Established under the Inquiries Act 1991, the Board of Inquiry will examine systemic issues relating to the deaths of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in custody at the Alexander Maconochie Centre. A small Secretariat will support the Board by providing strategic, operational and administrative support to enable the effective conduct of the Inquiry.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Advisor provides authoritative cultural advice and guidance to the Board of Inquiry and its Secretariat, ensuring the Inquiry is informed by accurate, respectful and culturally informed perspectives. Drawing on their local knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities, the Advisor will assist the Board in understanding cultural perspectives relevant to the Inquiry's work and terms of reference. The Advisor will strengthen the Board's capacity to conduct its work with integrity, cultural safety, and awareness of the lived experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The role will also lead the development, implementation and maintenance of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Safety Framework and provide advice on culturally safe and trauma-informed practices throughout the Inquiry.

To be successful in this role you will support the effective, appropriate, and culturally safe engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, community members, organisations, Elders and Traditional Custodians. The Advisor will work closely with the Board and Secretariat to design and guide engagement approaches that build trust and respect and create safe opportunities for individuals and families to share their experiences with the Board of Inquiry. This includes providing advice on trauma-informed communication, ensuring culturally respectful handling of sensitive information, identifying cultural risks and recommending mitigation strategies, and helping the Board understand the impacts of incarceration and systemic disadvantage on First Nations communities. By enabling culturally appropriate participation, the Cultural Advisor ensures that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices are heard, respected, and meaningfully contribute to the Inquiry's findings and recommendations.

This role requires a solid understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander justice issues and the factors affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities. Candidates should bring Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander lived experience or be able to work in ways guided by those with lived experience, to provide cultural insight and support culturally safe, trauma-informed engagement.

The successful applicant will also contribute to the effective operation of the Secretariat through research, analysis, stakeholder engagement and the preparation of high-quality briefing materials, reports and correspondence.

The ACT Government is committed to ensuring the Board of Inquiry is culturally safe, community focused, and grounded in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives.

The role may include supervision of staff.

Eligibility/Other Requirements:

• This position has a strong focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander outcomes and requires a demonstrated understanding of historical and contemporary cultural contexts, specifically with respect to the ACT context. You will demonstrate cultural capability when engaging with community, Elders and Traditional Custodians and other Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
• This is an Identified position in accordance with Section 13(1) of the Public Sector Management Standards 2016 and is only open to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander lived experience and cultural capability is considered essential and therefore confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage may be requested.

Note: This is a temporary position available immediately for a period of 12 months. This position is only open to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.

Selection may be based on application and referee reports only.

A Merit Pool may be established from this selection process and may be used to fill vacancies over the next 12 months.

How to Apply: Applicants are required to submit a personal pitch (of no more than two pages) addressing both the Professional/Technical Skill and Knowledge and Behavioural Capabilities outlined under the "What you require" section of the Position Description.

Applicants should also provide a current curriculum vitae with details of two referees.

Applications should be submitted .

Note: Under the ACTPS employment framework you may be placed in another role where required for the efficient administration of the service.

Where an offer of employment is for a fixed-term period, any related temporary contracts within the Territory will be issued in compliance with the requirements and applicable exceptions outlined in the Fair Work Act.

The ACT public service is committed to closing the gap, underpinned by the belief that when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a genuine say in the design and delivery of policies, programs and services that affect them, better life outcomes are achieved. More information can be found here ACT Closing the Gap Implementation Plan - ACT Government Transparency Portal.

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Note

This is a temporary position available immediately for a period of 12 months. This position is only open to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.