About AIATSIS

Our strategy, planning and performance

The AIATSIS Strategic Plan 2018–2023 explains our strategic directions, priorities and commitments for the next four years. The Corporate Plan 2019–2023 sets out the context in which we are implementing our strategy, our goals and the key actions we will take to achieve our strategy, and the performance criteria we will use to monitor the outcomes achieved. More detail about the strategies and actions set out in the Corporate Plan, and our performance against its targets, is described in the Annual Performance Statement.

Our vision

A world in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge and cultures are recognised, respected, celebrated and valued.

Our mission

  1. Tell the story of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia.
  2. Create opportunities for people to encounter, engage with and be transformed by that story.
  3. Support and facilitate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural resurgence.
  4. Shape our national narrative.
  • Our strategic intent

    Our strategies

    Build and preserve a national collection, and make it accessible. Promote better understanding of Indigenous peoples' cultures and heritage. Lead and influence on Aboriginal 
    and Torres Strait Islander research, ethics, protocols,  and collections.    		 Partner and collaborate with our communities, partners, and governments. Advise on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage.
    GOALS GOALS GOALS GOALS GOALS

    Ensure that our collection is representative, relevant and diverse.

    Optimising appropriate accessibility.

    Maximise opportunities provided by digital innovation.

    Positioning AIATSIS as the national forum for dialogue on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.

    Delivering transformative experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, and heritage.

    Delivering high quality exhibitions, products and publications.  

    Speaking authoritatively through evidence based research and culturally based representative networks.

    Articulating national priorities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research.

    Positioning AIATSIS as the arbiter of standards in relation to research ethics, Indigenous research, management of Indigenous Collections.

    Fostering innovation in ethical, impactful research and  collection practice.

    Actively building diverse and enduring relationships domestically and internationally.
    Being responsive and professional, with culturally competent work practices.

    Building and active network of corporate partners.

    Engaging our network of members, friends, volunteers, visitors and affiliates.

    Helping to develop community capability in relevant areas.

    Positioning AIATSIS as a trusted advisor.

    Building our 
    policy capacity and capability to deliver world class expertise.

    Reporting regularly on the situation and status of Indigenous culture and heritage.

    Priorities

    Discovery Resurgence Transformation Extending our reach Special projects

    Help Australians discover the richness of the histories, cultures and heritage of our First Nations people.

    This initiative includes a new, state-of-the-art home for AIATSIS.

    Contribute to the ongoning cultural resurgence across Aboriginal and Torres Strait  Islander Australia.

    Projects include the publication of Indigenous language dictionaries and the Songlines critical project.

    Transform peoples’ understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia.

    Measures include developing teaching resources for schools and corporate Australia.

    Extending the reach of AIATSIS, both in presence and influence, through physical and digital means.

    Initiatives include an impactful web presence and potential physical presence beyond Canberra. 

    2019 UNESCO International Year of Indigenous Languages.

    Return of Cultural Heritage Project.

    Underpinning commitments

    AIATSIS expertise and capability is sustained for national and regional impact. AIATSIS is characterised by an Indigenous voice in all that it does. AIATSIS is a financially sustainable organisation. AIATSIS operates cohesively as a single entity embodying the concept of Yindyamarra. AIATSIS is positioned to influence across a range of sectors. AIATSIS is an innovative and flexible institution. AIATSIS is a proactively engaged and outwardly looking institution.
  • Portfolio and responsible Minister

    During 2019–2020 the Minister responsible for AIATSIS was the Hon Ken Wyatt AM MP, Minister for Indigenous Australians. AIATSIS was part of the Prime Minister and Cabinet portfolio.

    Also within the portfolio is the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) which was established in May 2019 to influence policy across the entire Australian Government. We regularly liaise with the NIAA.

  • Funding

    AIATSIS receives most of its funding from Australian Government appropriation ($20.445 million in 2019–2020).

    Additional revenue is derived from revenue from contracts with customers, grants and other sources ($8.030 million in 2019–2020).

    More information is provided in the ‘Financial resource management’ introduction to the financial statements.

  • Our people

    As at 30 June 2020, we had 121 ongoing employees based in Canberra. More information can be found in in ‘Our organisation’.

  • Our values

    The Australian Public Service (APS) values apply to our staff. We are impartial, committed to service, accountable, respectful, and ethical.

    These are central to the way we work with our Minister, colleagues and stakeholders.

  • Our underpinning commitments

    We pride ourselves in our commitment to:

    • technical expertise and capability sustained for national and regional impact
    • reflect an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voice in all that we do
    • performing as a financially sustainable organisation
    • operating cohesively as a single entity embodying the concept of Yindyamarra - a Wiradjuri word meaning honour and respect, more broadly it implies thoughtfulness, graciousness, and kindness
    • positioning ourselves to influence across a range of sectors
    • behaving as an innovative and flexible institution
    • proactively engaging and being outward-looking.
  • Where we work

    Our administrative and operational headquarters are in Canberra at 51 Lawson Crescent, Acton, ACT, 2601.

  • Our challenges

    Over the next few years, our challenges include:

    • preserving, managing and growing our collection, independently assessed as the world’s most significant collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander materials
    • contributing to active and ongoing discussion about Australia’s identity and narrative, through the story of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
    • providing strategic input to policy that affects, or is informed by, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage
    • extending our leadership role in best practice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research, publishing and cultural collections, which supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander control, self-determination and cultural resurgence
    • growing and managing partnerships and public engagement that connect with a larger and more diverse range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, national and international institutions and organisations and the Australian public, while managing demand and expectations
    • finding ways to undertake all of our functions, in the post-COVID-19 environment, that minimise risk to all our clients, partners and stakeholders, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
  • Our history

    AIATSIS was originally established in 1964 to preserve as many components of traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures as possible before they were lost forever.

    After 56 years, and in the context of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural and social resurgence, we stand as a testament to the living and vibrant story of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the important place this has in our nation’s story.

Organisational structure

Our entity is one of the many entities and companies within the portfolio of Prime Minister and Cabinet. We are led by the CEO reporting to the AIATSIS Council and supported by external and internal expert committees. We operate across three groups: Strategic Operations, Research and Education, and Collections. Our organisational structure as at  31 June 2020 is shown at Figure 3. More information is in the section 'Our organisation’.

Last updated: 27 May 2022