Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander employees across Australia are invited to share their workplace experiences as part of the next Gari Yala ‘speak the truth’ research project.
This survey aims to gather insights from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander employees to better understand workplace experiences, with a focus on cultural safety, inclusion, exclusion, and racism. The goal is to create safer, fairer, and more culturally inclusive workplaces, improve access to quality jobs and meaningful careers, and ensure First Nations people can fully participate in the Australian workforce. The survey will help track changes in the experiences of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander employees since the first study conducted in 2020.
This is a world-first, Indigenous-led study—the only one of its kind in Australia—designed by and for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. It follows Indigenous research methodologies and has been ethically reviewed through the UTS ethics process.
The survey takes around 20 minutes to complete and is completely confidential.
Eligible survey respondents who take part in the survey will go in the competition to win one of 10 x $100 vouchers from Indigenous-designed and owned activewear and equipment company, Jarin Street.
Who is eligible?
The survey is open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, aged 18+ and currently working, or who have worked in the past two years.
Eligible employees across Australia are invited to take the survey, and we encourage employers to share the survey with their relevant team members and networks.
What is the survey for?
The results of the survey will contribute to research that will drive meaningful change by influencing employer practices and policies to create culturally safe workplaces.
The previous Gari Yala survey was conducted in 2020.
The final report, Gari Yala – Speak the Truth: Centreing the experiences of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Australians at work, was based on the survey of 1,033 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander workers across Australia and revealed some shocking realities about experiences of racism, the lack of cultural safety and identity strain experienced by Indigenous people across Australian workplaces.
How is this survey different from the 2020 Gari Yala study?
The 2025 survey will:
- Benchmark progress since the first survey and assess what has changed
- Map and track workplace inclusion for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees
- Create a deeper understanding of the implications of cultural responsibilities in the workplace and how they impact career progression and wellbeing.
Who is conducting the survey?
The survey is led by UTS Jumbunna Institute, and UTS Business School, with partner Diversity Council Australia and funding from NAB Foundation.
The survey is also supported by Reconciliation Australia and Supply Nation, to help amplify the survey’s reach.
How you can help:
- If you’re eligible, complete the survey today!
- Employers are encouraged to share this with your Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander employees and networks, to help drive meaningful change.