Client
The Department of Home Affairs identified a growing need to uplift cultural capability across its leadership. The agency sought to foster inclusive, equitable decision-making through training tailored to their context, delivered by a trusted First Nations and Veteran-owned provider.
Goals
To design and deliver a culturally responsive leadership training program that improved awareness, strengthened allyship, and equipped executives to apply culturally informed practices in policy and community engagement.
Participant Feedback
"An important lesson for me today is to acknowledge and take responsibility for the cultural load. Allyship sounds like a great way to walk together.”
Participant Feedback
" I need to do more, I need to be conscious of being an active ally. Thank You. This has been a very informative and useful presentation that everyone needs to see.”
Approach
JY Australia designed and facilitated a tailored Cultural Responsiveness Training program that combined lived experience, practical insight, and interactive learning.
The training initiative successfully enhanced cultural awareness among executive leaders, with 67% of participants reporting increased understanding of First Nations cultures and a 10% increase in comprehension levels from the beginning to the end of the program. Executives also demonstrated improved confidence in applying culturally responsive practices to policy and community engagement.
Outcome
JY Australia's Cultural Responsiveness Training program delivered measurable and lasting outcomes for the Home Affairs agency, including:
- Enhanced Cultural Competence: Executive leaders gained a deeper understanding of cultural awareness, sensitivity, safety, and competence.
- Organisational Change: Participants were equipped to independently champion cultural responsiveness, contributing to systemic change across departments.
- Ongoing Learning: Follow-up sessions and the development of an interactive e-learning platform ensure sustained engagement beyond initial training.
- Ethical Integrity: Prioritising First Nations voices and maintaining transparent communication upheld ethical standards held with our values of trust worthy, professional and Community aligned delivery.
Strategic Contribution
This project represents a significant strategic contribution to the agency’s goals by aligning with its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. JY Australia:
- Co-Designed Tailored Solutions: Through stakeholder consultation, a customised training program was created to meet specific agency needs.
- Leveraged Digital Innovation: Tools like MS Teams, Canva, and MS Forms enhanced engagement, content delivery, and feedback tracking.
- Built Organisational Capability: By fostering internal leadership in cultural responsiveness, the program laid the foundation for long-term behavioural and policy change.