DEECA is committed to increasing First Peoples employment and supporting strong career pathways for First Nations people across Victoria.
First Peoples play a vital role in shaping how DEECA works on Country and with communities and Traditional Owners. We value the cultural knowledge, lived experience and leadership that First Peoples bring to the department and are committed to providing meaningful career pathways, development opportunities and supportive workplaces where First Nations employees can thrive.
We are working towards building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve, including a target to increase First Peoples representation across the department.
Our focus is not only on recruitment, but on creating a workplace where First Peoples staff feel supported, valued and able to practise their culture.
What we offer
We support First Peoples employees at every stage of their career through:
- a culturally safe and inclusive workplace environment
- career pathways across policy, program delivery, land management and corporate roles
- learning and development opportunities
- leadership development and progression pathways, including the First Peoples Leadership and Mentoring Program
- support networks, including the Aboriginal Staff Network
- flexible work arrangements, including cultural leave
We also invest in scholarships, traineeships and development programs that support First Peoples to enter the workforce and develop their careers across multiple portfolios.
Cultural capability and workplace support
Our Aboriginal Cultural Capability Framework guides how we build a culturally capable workforce.
This includes:
- supporting leaders to build cultural capability
- strengthening systems and practices to support First Peoples staff
- creating workplaces where people feel culturally respected and safe through the implementation of First Peoples cultural safety training
- embedding First Peoples perspectives in decision making
This work helps ensure First Peoples employees are heard, valued and supported to bring their whole identity to work.
Types of roles at DEECA
Some roles at DEECA are specifically designed to support Aboriginal employment and leadership.
Designated Aboriginal Positions (DAP)
A Designated Aboriginal Position is a role that is only open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
- These roles are established under section 12 ‘special measures’ of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010
- They are used to address under-representation, support First Peoples employment outcomes and align roles that require cultural authority
- Applicants are required to provide confirmation of Aboriginality
Only Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are eligible to apply for DAP roles
Identified roles
An identified role is a position where First Peoples cultural knowledge, experience or connection to community is a genuine requirement of the job.
- These roles often involve working directly with First Nations communities
- Cultural capability and lived experience are key selection criteria
- Some identified roles may be open to all applicants, while strongly valuing First Nations applicants depending on the role design
Identified roles recognise that specific cultural knowledge and relationships are essential to delivering the work effectively.
Current opportunities
You can view all current opportunities, including designated and identified roles, on the Victorian Government careers website.
Our commitment
Our approach to First Peoples employment is guided by the First Peoples Self-Determination Reform Strategy Pupangarli Marnmarnepu.
This includes:
- growing a First Peoples workforce
- supporting career development and retention
- creating culturally safe workplaces
- embedding First Peoples perspectives across our work
We are committed to continuous improvement and working in partnership with First Nations staff and communities to shape how we do this.
Contact us
If you have questions about First Peoples employment at DEECA, please contact us.
Page last updated: 16/07/26