Spirit of Reconciliation
Reconciliation Action Plan
As Australia's largest airline and a national icon, Qantas has a responsibility to ensure our business reflects the values of inclusion and diversity. Over the next few years, Qantas will be supporting and promoting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islands culture through our Reconciliation Action Plan.
Qantas remains committed to reconciliation and building relationships for change between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. We endorse the vision of a nation which values Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, cultures and peoples and recognises their unique position as the original custodians of Australia.
The launch of the Qantas Reconciliation Action Plan In November 2007 was a positive step forward towards that commitment and in fostering Reconciliation in the broader Australian community.
Reconciliation Australia requires organisations to refresh their RAP based on past learnings and to allow for new developments and ideas around achieving the aims of reconciliation within and outside of our organisation.
The Qantas Reconciliation Action Plan has been refreshed in line with Reconciliation Australia's elements of Respect, Relationships and Opportunities and was released during Reconciliation Week (27 May - 3 June) in 2009.
During NAIDOC week in July 2009 in Brisbane, Queensland, Qantas was recognised for its Reconciliation Action Plan initiatives when it won the "Established Business" category of the Queensland Government's 2009 Reconciliation Awards for Business.
Reconciliation Action Plan Report
Reconciliation Australia, with whom Qantas developed its initial Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), requires Qantas to report annually on implementation of its RAP. Our first report covers the period November 2007, when our RAP was launched until December 2008.
Our first report was launched during Reconciliation Week 27 May - 3 June 2009.
To find out more about Qantas work in supporting reconciliation read the Qantas Reconciliation Action Plan Report.*
I Still Call Australia Home
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture features prominently as part of the new Qantas advertising campaign and brings Indigenous language to a broader Australian and international audience for the first time.
The "I Still Call Australia Home" campaign has been running for 11 years and is now widely recognised and associated with Qantas. The new advertisement, launched on 22 August, presented a unique opportunity for Qantas to reflect its proud history of promoting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islands people and cultures.
Indigenous Employment
Employment initiatives form one element of the Qantas Reconciliation Action Plan and build on Qantas' commitment since 1988 to employing Indigenous Australians.
At various times throughout the year, the Qantas Group seeks to employ Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people with skills and experience for the following roles: cabin crew, telephone sales consultant, customer service/check in, kitchen hands, baggage handlers, aircraft cleaners, corporate roles and more.
For more information, about general employment opportunities, the Qantas Graduate Program, school-based traineeships and university cadetships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, and to register for employment and for job alerts visit the Qantas Careers website.
Flying Art
Qantas worked with Dr John Moriarty's Balarinji Designs, an Indigenous design studio, to paint two Boeing 747-400 aircraft and a Boeing 737-800 aircraft in an Indigenous design.
Find out the stories behind our painted aircraft.
Qantas Uniforms
Qantas staff uniforms worn by cabin crew and customer service assistants use the "Wirriyarra" textile design by Balarinji Designs.
Find out more about our staff uniforms.
Inflight Entertainment
Qantas screens Indigenous programming on Inflight entertainment to mark special events on the Indigenous calendar and throughout the year as part of mainstream programming. Qantas supports Indigenous film-makers through the Black Screen program at Screen Australia which showcases short films and documentaries made by emerging and established Indigenous film-makers.
Partnerships
Qantas Indigenous Programs' partnerships and sponsorships are aligned with our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) initiatives and timelines for the period 2008 - 2010.
Please note, we do not accept unsolicited applications for individual or group travel assistance.
Qantas' current major sponsorships include:
- The Qantas/Australia Council for the Arts Young and Emerging Indigenous Visual Arts Award
- Bangarra Dance Theatre
- Art Gallery of NSW - Yiribana Indigenous Art Gallery
- Gondwana National Indigenous Children's Choir
- AFL
- Red Dust Role Models
