Reconciliation Action Plans: What is Australian RAP Mean

If you have recently walked into an Australian workplace, it is likely that you might have come across an artwork looking like one of the below:

These are the Reconciliation Action Plans (RAP) Artworks created by a wide range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists in coordination with the organisations to create authentic, culturally appropriate indigenous designs that reflect their values and commitment to reconciliation. But that’s not all that RAP is about. The artwork is just one small part of the complete Reconciliation Action Plan.

Reconciliation Australia

Established in 2001, with a vision of a just, equitable and reconciled nation, Reconciliation Australia is the lead body for reconciliation in Australia. As an independent non-profit organisation, it aims to inspire and enable all Australians to contribute to the reconciliation effort.

What is Reconciliation?

As per Reconciliation Australia, “Reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples, for the benefit of all Australians”.

Five Dimensions of Reconciliation

Reconciliation is measured against the following five dimensions, which are essentially quite interrelated.

1. Race Relations

The goal is to foster trust and respect between the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and the non-Indigenous Australians to maintain a two-way positive relationship between them.

2. Equality and Equity

To motivate the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to participate equally while giving them some unique rights to close the past gaps.

3. Historical Acceptance

For all Australians to accept and understand the injustices of the past that have been committed and to make amends in the policies and practices to ensure it is never repeated.

4. Institutional Integrity

This dimension requires the political, business and community institutions to actively support all dimensions of reconciliation.

5. Unity

The aim is to promote national unity by accepting the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and heritage as a proud part of a shared national identity.

Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs)

A Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is a framework created by Reconciliation Australia to help organisations turn commitments to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples into action — in workplaces, communities, and business decisions.

The RAP program was launched in 2006 to enable organisations to take meaningful actions towards achieving reconciliation. While the RAP is a standalone document, it can be linked in the ESG strategy of the companies. Built on foundations of strong governance, every RAP rests on three core pillars:

1. Relationships

Building a meaningful relationship between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is at the heart of reconciliation.

2. Respect

Under this pillar, the RAP organisations are encouraged to participate in cultural learning about the history of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to develop respect for them.

3. Opportunities

This pillar focuses on creating economic opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and businesses to fast-track the reconciliation.

Under each of the above-mentioned pillars, companies are expected to plan actions, deliverables, responsibilities, and timelines based on the stage of reconciliation an organisation is in.

How to Get Started on the RAP Process?

A company or an educational institute can embark on the reconciliation journey in partnership with Reconciliation Australia as follows:

1. Check eligibility

A prerequisite for publishing a RAP is that the organisation has employees and operations in Australia. To check if your organisation is eligible, you can refer the RAP checklist.

2. Commence registration

The registration process involves payment of a RAP development fee and filling out the RAP registration form. The fee is not charged for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander organisations. On successful completion of registration, you will get the RAP-ID.

3. Drafting the RAP

After registration, based on your level (Reflect, Innovate, Stretch or Elevate), you will receive templates and resources using which you can draft your RAP – in consultation with your stakeholders.

4. Submit draft RAP

You can submit your first draft RAP, via the RAP portal for review. This should be completed within 12 months of the registration date. After submission of the first draft, you should expect at least 2-3 rounds of feedback which can last about a month.

5. Conditional Endorsement

Once the draft RAP is approved, you are provided with the RAP logo to include in the final RAP.

6. Design of final RAP

When your final RAP is designed along with the RAP logo and the RAP artwork done by an indigenous designer, you can upload the final RAP PDF via the RAP portal.

7. Publishing RAP

Once uploaded, Reconciliation Australia will formally endorse your RAP, approve the final designed document and publish your plan on the Reconciliation Australia website. Your RAP is now a public commitment, and your organisation is recognised as a member of the RAP network, which can then be shared and promoted externally.

8. Implementing the RAP

Now is the time to launch the RAP and start implementing the actions committed to.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

No, having a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is not mandatory in Australia. It’s a voluntary framework, developed by Reconciliation Australia, that organisations can choose to adopt if they want to formally commit to advancing reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

While it isn’t a legal or regulatory requirement, in some industries and sectors, having a RAP is becoming an expectation or a competitive advantage (for example, when bidding for government contracts or aligning with ESG/sustainability frameworks). Currently, more than 3000 organisations in Australia are a part of the RAP Australia.

o develop a RAP, your organisation must fulfil all the below requirements:

Be a workplace
Have employees
Have operations in Australia
Be completely autonomous with own governance structure (e.g. Have a CEO, board, etc.)
Have the authority to create and modify organisational policies and procedures
Have the authority to allocate funds for projects
The ability to form a RAP working group
If your organisation has international operations, the RAP should sit at the Australian subsidiary level.

RAPs are not well-suited to the following:

Organisations that do not have paid employees, i.e., sole traders, volunteer organisations, faith groups, network groups or clubs.
Organisations that are part of a larger organisation that leads decision-making processes (e.g., an HR department within an organisation, or the NSW office of a national organisation).
Organisations with corporate services, including human resources, that sit with a larger, central organisation.

The RAP development fee is scaled according to the organisation’s annual revenue:

Annual revenue under $1 million: $350 + GST
Annual revenue between $1 million and $10 million: $1,250 + GST
Annual revenue over $10 million: $2,500 + GST

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander organisations that wish to develop a RAP will not be charged a fee.

There are four types of RAPs, each representing different stages of an organisation’s journey in reconciliation:

Reflect RAP: This is the starting point for organisations. It involves an introspective process where the organisation begins to understand and reflect on how it can contribute to reconciliation. The focus is on raising awareness and committing to practical actions.
Innovate RAP: At this stage, the organisation has started its reconciliation journey and is looking to establish meaningful and sustainable practices. It’s about creating new opportunities, systems, and actions that foster collaboration with indigenous communities.
Stretch RAP: This stage signifies that the organisation is deepening its commitment. A Stretch RAP requires more complex and strategic actions, aiming for a significant and long-term impact in areas such as Indigenous employment, education, and engagement.
Elevate RAP: The Elevate RAP is for organisations that have already made substantial progress. At this stage, the focus is on leadership and advocacy. These organisations strive to serve as role models for others in the reconciliation space, continuing to lead by example and fostering systemic change.

Reflect RAP: 12-18 months
Innovate RAP: 2 years
Stretch: 3 years
Elevate: 3 years

As per the 2024 impact report of Reconciliation Action Plans – 2024, more than 5.5 million people were working or studying in an organisation with a RAP. Quite some government organisations are also including the RAP in their ESG strategy. Of 3000 organisations which are linked to the RAP network, more than half of the organisations published their Reflect RAP, while 40% are doing the Innovate RAP, 7% are on the Stretch RAP, and a very small percentage – 1% are at the Elevate RAP level.

Reconciliation Action Plans: What is Australian RAP Mean - A Guide to Getting Started

Reconciliation Australia

What is Reconciliation?

Five Dimensions of Reconciliation

Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs)

How to Get Started on the RAP Process?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is the Reconciliation Action Plan a mandatory requirement in Australia?

What are the requirements for an organisation to develop RAP?

What is the RAP Development Fee?

What are the different types of RAPs?

What is the implementation period for each type of RAP?

How many organisations are currently doing the RAP?

We're here to help

Namrata Motiramani

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