Indigenous employment

The University of Queensland remains committed to the employment, career development and support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and recognises their continuing and significant contributions to its community in leadership, academia and professional services at all levels across UQ.

The UQ Strategic Plan outlines the University’s intent to play a leading role in reconciliation and to advocate with and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities. Upholding our UQ values is central to our success.

Creativity

We apply our creativity as a way of seeking progress. We value new ideas, seek fresh perspectives and pursue game-changing innovations and opportunities.

Excellence

We strive for excellence in everything we do. We apply the highest standards to our work to achieve the greatest impact for the benefit of communities everywhere.

Truth

Truth is central to all that we do as a university. We seek truth through our focus on the advancement and dissemination of knowledge, and our deep commitment to academic freedom and freedom of expression.

Integrity

We always act with integrity. As stewards of the University’s resources and reputation, we are honest, ethical and principled.

Courage

We are courageous in our decision-making. We are ambitious, bold and agile. We demonstrate moral courage, so that we are always guided by a sense of what is right.

Respect and inclusivity

We provide a caring, inclusive and empowering environment for all. We engage respectfully with one another and promote the value that our diversity brings to our whole community.

Objectives through Reconciliation

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Strategy 2025 – 2027 articulates the way in which UQ will achieve its commitments. This objective will be realised through the delivery of actions by applying the key pillars of reconciliation: Relationships, Respect and Opportunities. The measures and outcomes, within the Strategy, are underpinned by strong governance and accountability.

Relationships

UQ will strive for excellence and act with integrity in building enduring relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, students, and their communities. Genuine relationships will be nurtured through reciprocity and trust with decision-making and actions of UQ.

Respect

UQ’s workplace and learning environments will be forthright in truth-telling, facilitate inclusivity and a greater understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and respect for these distinct cultures.

Opportunities

UQ will act with courage, explore, and embrace creativity in its policies, programs, and initiatives for opportunities to strengthen the representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples employed.

See the Employment Strategy

Bespoke Programs

UQ is committed to providing employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. These employment opportunities will be advertised broadly and offering targeted pathways through a range of bespoke programs:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Graduate Program
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pre- and post-doctoral academic pathways
Professional entry pathways

Successful candidates will be valued for their contributions and achievements within the UQ community through applying their knowledge, skills and abilities in an academic or professional role at the University.

Indigenous Employment seeks to create an environment of cultural respect and understanding across UQ for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees and invites these employees to join the Indigenous staff network to stay informed and be actively involved in the UQ Indigenous community.

We strongly encourage you to apply for all available positions, including Indigenous Identified positions, advertised on UQ Careers. For current employment opportunities available only to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, please visit Australian Indigenous Peoples Employment.

For more information, please contact our Indigenous Employment Team via indigenous_employment@uq.edu.au or (07) 3346 7542.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Graduate Program

The new UQ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Graduate Program now offers successful candidates up to three years employment. This extended placement is a significant investment from across UQ which aims to provide graduates with a host of supports including certainty for their immediate future.

The UQ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Graduate Program offers opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduates to develop and grow as professionals by gaining valuable experience in a professional position at UQ.

Recruitment for UQ’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Graduate Program normally commences from late November to December. Opportunities will be advertised on the UQ Careers page with successful candidates commencing their roles in late February or early March each year.

Find out more

The Deadly Post newsletter

The Deadly Post newsletter is distributed monthly to all Indigenous staff and other subscribers.

This newsletter will keep you up to date with what's happening around UQ and the broader community. It regularly features UQ advertised jobs, key upcoming events, training and development opportunities, updates on the many achievements of our Indigenous staff, and other articles to keep you informed.

For more details, please email IndigenousEmployment@uq.edu.au.