Program Overview

Indigenous Employment at Western Sydney University

Western Sydney University is committed to achieving a population parity of 3% by 2025, with up to 20 new positions created for Indigenous academics and at least 5 new traineeships for professional staff. The university aims to position itself as a place of choice for Indigenous Australians to work in an environment that supports and nurtures their careers.

Indigenous Staff

The university recognizes that Indigenous staff members bring community connections and cultural insights that expand its mission and help it better reflect its community. Indigenous staff are encouraged to join the Western Sydney University team, and the university provides a supportive environment for their careers.

Sage Cygnet Report: May 2024

The Sage Cygnet Report, authored by Dr. Sarah Kennedy, Dr. Kieryn McKay, and Gabrielle Talbot-Mundine, presents the final report on the SAGE Cygnet Impact Assessment. The report focuses on gathering insights and embedding workplace improvements for Indigenous staff at Western Sydney University.

Ignite Indigenous Traineeship Program

The Ignite Indigenous Traineeship Program is delivered by the Division of the Deputy-Vice Chancellor Indigenous Leadership and provides a vocational pathway for Indigenous participants to gain paid experience in university operations as business administration trainees. The program offers a one-year fixed-term employment contract in combination with enrollment in a Certificate III in Business.

Program Details

• The program is open to Australian Indigenous people.
• Participants are employed as professional staff members and acquire a unique business skillset from a host division or faculty within the university.
• The program includes a one-year fixed-term employment contract and enrollment in a Certificate III in Business.
• While employment following the traineeship is not guaranteed, trainees are encouraged and supported to apply for ongoing or fixed-term employment and/or further study opportunities.

Host Unit

• Any team can host a trainee, given they have sufficient budget to fund the position.
• The host unit is required to provide a supportive and encouraging workplace environment, an ergonomically friendly workstation setup, and genuine on-the-job training in accordance with the traineeship training plan.
• The host unit must also set up in-house mentorship with a suitable work colleague and ensure trainees are compliant with unit workplace responsibilities.

Trainee Applicants

• The Ignite Traineeship Program is available to Australian Indigenous peoples of Greater Western Sydney.
• Applicants must identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person and have completed a year 9 level of schooling or equivalent.
• Applicants must have an interest in general business administration duties and display a commitment to enroll and complete a Certificate III in Business traineeship for 12 months.

Career Development Opportunities

• Throughout the traineeship, participants gain valuable skills through both formal training and on-the-job experience.
• The program includes a dedicated career development training day focused on resume writing, interview preparation, and navigating application processes.
• Additional support is provided for those interested in pursuing further study, throughout the application process and into the commencement of their higher education journey.

About Western Sydney University

Western Sydney University is a modern, forward-thinking, research-led institution at the heart of Australia's fastest-growing and most economically significant region. With 11 campuses across Sydney and international locations in Vietnam and Indonesia, the university serves nearly 50,000 students, 3,500 staff, and a global network of over 200,000 alumni. Ranked in the top 2% of universities worldwide, over 85% of its assessed research is rated 'World Standard' or above.