FAQs
What is Reconciliation?
At its heart, reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Aboriginal people, for the benefit of all Australians.
Visit Reconciliation Australia for more information.
What is a Reconciliation Action Plan?
A RAP is a framework that uses a holistic approach to creating meaningful relationships, enhanced respect and promote sustainable opportunities with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Why are there different types of RAP?
Reconciliation Framework
There are four RAP types – Reflect, Innovate, Stretch and Elevate – which allow organisations to continuously develop their reconciliation commitments.
Reconciliation Australia’s RAP Framework provides organisations with a structured approach to advance reconciliation.
The framework of relationships, respect and opportunities enables organisations to turn their good intentions into action and to support the national reconciliation movement.
Each type of RAP is designed to suit an organisation at different stages of their reconciliation journey.
What does each level of RAP mean?
Reflect: Building strong foundations
A Reflect RAP helps prepare an organisation to engage in reconciliation meaningfully.
Committing to a Reflect RAP starts with engaging staff and leaders in understanding the importance of reconciliation.
It includes developing relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders, and scoping where your organisation can best have impact in your sphere of influence.
A Reflect RAP is implemented over 12 – 18 months.
Innovate: Implementing change
An Innovate RAP outlines actions for achieving your organisation’s vision for reconciliation.
Innovate RAP commitments allow your organisation to gain a deeper understanding of your sphere of influence, and establish the best approaches to advance reconciliation.
An Innovate RAP focuses on strengthening relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and piloting strategies for further reconciliation commitments and to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
An Innovate RAP is implemented over two years.
Stretch: Reconciliation leadership
A Stretch RAP is best suited to organisations that demonstrate strong meaningful engagement with internal and external Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders.
These organisations need to have established a very strong approach towards advancing reconciliation internally and within the organisation’s sphere of influence. The Stretch RAP requires organisations to embed reconciliation initiatives into business strategies, so they become ‘business as usual’.
A Stretch RAP spans a three-year period and is focused on high impact commitments based on defined measurable targets and goals.
An organisation must have successfully completed an Elevate, Stretch or Innovate RAP to be considered.
Elevate: Transformational change
Elevate RAP organisations have a strong strategic relationship with Reconciliation Australia and actively champion initiatives to uphold the self-determination of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and drive systemic and transformational change.
Elevate RAP organisations have a proven track record of embedding effective RAP initiatives in their organisation through Stretch RAPs and are ready to take on leadership to advance national reconciliation.
They must demonstrate high accountability measures including independent assessment of their activities.
Elevate RAPs are implemented over a three-year term.