First Nations Australian Employment

The First Nations staff network meets on a monthly basis to communicate and discuss matters affecting First Nations staff across Charles Sturt University. The network is chaired by a First Nations staff member and encourages First Nations staff to contribute to positive outcomes relating to Charles Sturt University.

The network provides First Nations staff the opportunity to have a united and direct voice to the leaders of the University.

Please contact Alison Salt, First Nations Employment Adviser to learn more.

What is a First Nations Cadetship? 

A First Nations Cadetship provides a First Nations student with hands-on paid work experience in a professional area of Charles Sturt that complements their studies. This is on a part time basis, while completing a degree.

This opportunity aims to enhance the education journey for First Nations students and support First Nations employment at Charles Sturt University.

What does a First Nations Cadetship involve?

• Up to 2 years of part-time paid work placement within a professional unit at the University (usually the last 2 years of a degree) totalling 420hrs/year.
• Duties are determined by the professional area, with support from the First Nations Cadetship Coordinator, they should complement the student’s area of study.
• How the hours are worked are negotiated between the professional area and the Cadet (with milestones set at the end of each quarter requiring a minimum of 105 hours to be worked).
• Continuation of the cadetship will be dependent on the student’s course progress and workplace performance.
• The Cadet's salary is 100% funded by the Division of People and Culture.

How do Charles Sturt teams get involved and host a First Nations Cadet?

If you are interested in hosting a cadet, please complete the Host Expression of Interest Form.

You can also contact Meg Evans, First Nations Cadetship Coordinator for more information.

Nguluway, means ‘to meet with each other’ in Wiradjuri Language, it is the title given to the Charles Sturt University, First Nations Australian Staff Conference.

Nguluway is an event that supports the development of all First Nations employees. It provides First Nations staff with the opportunity to:

• come together to network
• develop strategies to support each other in our professional and cultural lives
• delebrate our success
• hear from guest speakers at cultural information sessions
• have a united and direct voice to University leaders.

The date and location of the conference change each time it is delivered. This aims to provide flexibility around other significant events and allow staff to visit different parts of Country and attend different campus locations.

There is no registration fee to attend, but staff members who register must seek the approval of their budget centre manager for associated travel costs (e.g. accommodation and meals outside of the main conference times).

Keep an eye out for details as they emerge, but for general enquiries you can contact our First Nations Employment Adviser, Alison Salt.

Academic and professional development opportunities

We have study support initiatives that support academic and professional First Nations employees to develop their career.

• Read more about our study support initiatives for professional and general staff
• Read more about our study support initiatives for academic staff

Indigenous Language Allowance

If you're accredited as fluent in a recognised Indigenous Australian language and need to use this language in your role, you may be eligible to receive an Indigenous Language Allowance.

Refer to the Enterprise Agreement for more information or complete the Indigenous Language Allowance application form.

To find out more about First Nations education at Charles Sturt, you can also refer to:

• Office of First Nations Engagement
• First Nations Student Success
• School of Indigenous Australian Studies.

Alison Salt, First Nations Employment Adviser

My role as the First Nations Employment Adviser is responsible for developing and promoting the University’s First Nations Employment Strategy. I provide guidance and advice within the Division of People and Culture and the University in relation to the attraction, retention and development of First Nations Staff.  I assist with establishing links with First Nations Communities and relevant bodies to enhance community awareness and access to employment at Charles Sturt University.

I provide support to First Nations staff through the facilitation of monthly network meetings and a monthly informal catch-up. I also assist in facilitating a better understanding of First Nations cultures within the University.  Staff will often come to me for guidance when dealing with issues affecting their job satisfaction or sometimes just to have a catch-up.  I also facilitate with the First Nations Staff Network an annual get together called Nguluway. This is an opportunity for First Nations staff to come together and learn new skills and get to know each other face-to-face.

Learn more about Alison

Meg Evans, First Nations Cadetship Coordinator

As a First Nations Cadetship Coordinator, I am responsible for recruiting and monitoring cadets and host areas while participating in the First Nations Cadetship Program. I work with stakeholders to develop and provide individual support to students throughout their study and employment placement. This involves liaising with Course Directors, line managers, Student Success Advisors, lecturers, referral to other services, and other stakeholders or external services as appropriate.

By offering the cadetship program at Charles Sturt University I work with staff (host areas) to:

• Increase the number of First Nations Staff employed, during their employment as a cadet
• Contribute to the employability skills of First Nations students
• Become a preferred University for First Nations staff and students by promoting this initiative to the local First Nations community
• Increase retention of First Nations students during their studies, by supporting them financially.

Learn more about Meg

Our First Nations Student Centres are culturally safe study spaces that bring our students together to improve educational outcomes and to provide a connection to other First Nations students, staff and our local communities. They provide First Nations students with access to many resources including computers, internet and printers.

Centres are located on seven of our campuses, Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Dubbo, Goulburn, Orange, Port Macquarie and Wagga Wagga.

Learn more about the Centres at First Nations Student Centres - Current Students.

Charles Sturt strives to create a fair and inclusive workplace including offering flexible work arrangements that help staff to balance their work and life commitments while meeting the operational needs of the University.

Flexible hybrid, or remote work arrangements may be suitable for staff for a range of reasons, including to help meet cultural, community and family obligations.

See Workplace flexibility to learn about our guiding principles around staff flexibility and explore what options may be available to you.

​In addition to the standard leave entitlements, Charles Sturt provides up to ten days per calendar year of special leave that can be used for a range of reasons including:

• to meet cultural or religious obligations of significance;
• for an employee who is a member of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community to meet ceremonial obligations or prepare for or attend National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week functions

See Leave - People and Culture for further information.