What is a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)? A reconciliation action plan is a tool used to address the current inequality between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians.
A reconciliation action plan gives community groups, businesses, government departments, educational organisations and other organisations a ‘roadmap’ for closing the disparity gap, as well as evaluating the impact of their action plans over time.
How could that be bad? In theory, RAPs sound like a good idea, however in practice they are often not taken seriously because of the lack of accountability that comes with them.
Rio Tinto was awarded Reconciliation Australia’s highest achievement, the Elevate RAP, before they destroyed the Juukan Gorge cave system. Elevate RAPs recognises organisations that are providing “leadership in reconciliation”.
To Reconciliation Australia’s credit, they revoked their endorsement of Rio Tinto and suspended the company from their RAP program, but it was too little too late. Rio Tinto was recognised as a leader in reconciliation. And, yet, would they have been so bold to blatantly destroy cultural sites without it?
The same could be said for Telstra, one of the leading telecommunications providers in Australia, who was fined $50 million for ripping off Indigenous people. They had been given a Reconciliation Action Plan by Reconciliation Australia, but it seems they didn’t comply.
Telstra’s Reconciliation Action Plan was revoked but it was too little too late, again…
“I’m not interested in RAP’s, I am interested in systematic change. This change starts at the top.” – Shawn Andrews
There are a number of problems with the Reconciliation Action Plans. The major issue with them is that they fail to deliver a real impact to help close the disparity gaps between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians.
In a recent poll, we have found that the top concerns people have with RAPs are:
No accountability
The Mornington Peninsula Shire recently said that their Reconciliation Action Plan has led to positive results but no details about the numbers or business figures to back up their claims were provided.
It can be hard to share your goals and progress with the world, but it’s not surprising that a lot of organisations don’t want to share too much information. After all, they’re not hitting most of their reasonable targets.
When I was employed at a large institution that was receiving a lot of government funding, they were reporting their Indigenous employee figures which were lower than expected. The state and national populations for Indigenous people were a lot higher than their employment rate, so they used a local figure instead to make it look better.
“I had a company who had reached ‘elevate’ RAP (the highest level) and they had NO Aboriginal employees and their organisation would not be culturally safe for an Aboriginal employee.” – Roslyn Snyder
Reconciliation Australia supposedly gathers data from the RAP community and some people say RAPs are making a significant contribution to the country. There are also many organisations supporting the national reconciliation movement, but there is little to no data public data about their impact and if RAPs are actually achieving anything.
Many organisations that have RAPs are actually government entities who have been mandated to reach Indigenous employment targets. As such, it can be questioned as to whether or not RAPs have contributed to any success metrics.
PR campaign vs real outcomes
“Public relations campaign” is a term that refers to the process of influencing public opinion while “real outcomes” are the actions taken by a company which will have an tangible impact or result. Some argue that public relations campaigns can have an impact on the outcomes of a company. But many disagree, saying that there is no correlation.
“The RAP plans is a white construct to make a non Indigenous organisations to feel good, tick a box for govt funding, to be seen I.e. they just talk the talk but don’t have to walk the talk.” – Ara (Julga) Harathunian
RAPs give an empty gesture of reconciliation, being little more than an exercise in self-talk. They may see progress in their targets, but without accountability, these are just goalposts rather than starting points to move us towards achieving true reconciliation.
Remember, these are just goals. Without a real and tangible programme, reconciliation remains a good intentions approach to the ultimate goal.
Without real accountability to the communities they intend to improve, and without a genuine commitment to accountability and change, reconciliation will remain a pipe dream. Time will not allow for all to come on board, or for all to accept that reconciliation means nothing more than a nice to have.
| Who | Reconciliation Claim | Barayamal Score | Public Score |
| Google | RAP
Our vision for reconciliation is one where the cultures, knowledge and histories of Indigenous Australians are accessible, understood and appreciated by all Australians. | 2/5 | 2.4/5 |
| ASIC | RAP
Ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can access the financial system and experience positive financial outcomes. | 3/5 | |
| Reflections Holiday Park | RAP
Reflections will develop opportunities for cultural expression and celebration while delivering social, cultural and economic outcomes for Aboriginal communities. | 1/5 | |
| KPMG | RAP
Guided by our purpose to ‘Inspire Confidence, Empower Change’, we are committed to placing truth-telling, self-determination and cultural safety at the centre of our approach. | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Whitehaven Coal | RAP
Promises Indigenous employment, economic opportunities and cultural engagement initiatives. | 1/5 | |
| IMB Bank | RAP
Promises to foster meaningful relationships and create opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities | 1/5 | |
| Expedia Group | RAP
Promises to foster reconciliation by enhancing relationships, respect and opportunities through targeted initiatives and measurable outcomes. | 1/5 | |
| BlackRock | RAP
Commits to reconciliation through transparency, employment and community support. | 1/5 | |
| NSW Office of Sport | RAP
Commits to advancing reconciliation through sport. | 1/5 | |
| HSBC | RAP
Aims for Indigenous banking inclusion and developing supplier diversity. | 1/5 | |
| Jackson, Clements, Burrows Architects (JCBA) | Innovate RAP | | |
| Winning Group | Innovate RAP (June 2026 to May 2027) | | |
| Catholic Health Australia (CHA) | Reflect RAP (May 2026 to November 2027) | | |
| Triple Zero Victoria | Reflect RAP (March 2026 to September 2027) | | |
| Anglican Diocese of Perth | Reflect RAP (March 2026 to April 2028) | | |
| Special Teaching and Research (STaR) ltd | Reflect RAP (March 2026 to March 2027) | | |
| NA Group | Innovate RAP (March 2026 to February 2028) | | |
| AtkinsRéalis Group Inc. (TSX:ATRL) | Reflect RAP (March 2026 to March 2027) | | |
| Watkins Taylor Stone Insurance Brokers | Reflect RAP (March 2026 to March 2027) | | |
| Peoplecare Health Insurance | Reflect RAP (March 2026 to February 2027) | | |
| OzFish Unlimited Ltd | Reflect RAP (March 2026 to April 2027) | | |
| Commercial Property Cleaning Pty Ltd | Innovate RAP (March 2026 to February 2028) | | |
| Engineers Australia | Innovate RAP (February 2026 to February 2028) | | |
| Shamrock Civil Engineering | Innovate RAP (February to December) | | |
| Public Transport Authority of Western Australia | Innovate RAP (February 2026 to February 2028) | | |
| The Sovereign Hill Museums Association Limited | Innovate RAP (February 2026 to February 2028) | | |
| Allianz Australia | Innovate RAP (February 2026 to February 2028) | | |
| Keystone Civil | Reflect RAP (February 2026 to February 2027) | | |
| Challenger Services Group Pty Ltd | Reflect RAP (February 2026 to April 2027) | | |
| QLeave – Portable Long Service Leave | Innovate RAP (February 2026 to January 2028) | | |
| Scouts Victoria | Reflect RAP (February 2026 to February 2027) | | |
| City Property Services | Reflect RAP (February 2026 to June 2027) | | |
| TurksLegal | Innovate RAP (February 2026 to February 2028) | | |
| TBWA Melbourne | Reflect RAP (February 2026 to July 2027) | | |
| Sentinel Security Group | Reflect RAP (February 2026 to August 2027) | | |
| The Front Project | Reflect RAP (February 2026 to February 2027) | | |
| Pacific Building Management Group | Reflect RAP (February 2026 to August 2027) | | |
| Tangalooma Pty Ltd | Reflect RAP (February 2026 to January 2027) | | |
| The Australian Centre for Social Innovation (TACSI) | Innovate RAP (February 2026 to February 2028) | | |
| Community and Oral Health, Metro North Health | Innovate RAP (February 2026 to December 2027) | | |
| Lululemon | Reflect RAP (February 2026 to January 2027) | | |
| Timberlink Australia & New Zealand | Innovate RAP (January 2026 to December 2027) | | |
| The Northern Trust Company | Reflect RAP (January 2026 to June 2027) | | |
| KOJO Studios Pty Limited | Reflect RAP (January 2026 to June 2027) | | |
| Rowe Group / Proven Project Management | Reflect RAP (January 2026 to January 2027) | | |
| Only About Children | Reflect RAP (January 2026 to July 2027) | | |
| Contemporary SA Incorporated | Reflect RAP (January 2026 to June 2027) | | |
| Sydney Civil | Reflect RAP (January 2026 to June 2027) | | |
| Pacific Blue | Innovate RAP (January 2026 to December 2027) | | |
| Community Broadcasting Foundation | Innovate RAP (January 2026 to December 2027) | | |
| Compnow | Reflect RAP (January 2026 to July 2027) | | |
| Women’s Health in the South East (WHISE) | Reflect RAP (January 2026 to January 2027) | | |
| Sydney North Health Network (SNHN) | Reflect RAP (January 2026 to January 2027) | | |
| CIP Consolidated Pty Ltd | Reflect RAP (January 2026 to January 2027) | | |
| M&C Saatchi Australia | Reflect RAP (January to December) | | |
| Sesame Lane Pty Ltd | Reflect RAP (January 2026 to June 2027) | | |
| MTC FutureReady Limited | Innovate RAP (January 2026 to January 2027) | | |
| Southern Queensland Landscapes | Innovate RAP (January 2026 to January 2028) | | |
| | | |
| Melbourne Polytechnic | Innovate RAP (January 2026 to January 2028) | | |
| Project Youth | Innovate RAP (January 2026 to January 2028) | | |
| Australian Water Association Limited | Innovate RAP (January 2026 to January 2028) | | |
| Mercy Connect | Reflect RAP (January to December) | | |
| Capital Paws Veterinary Group | Reflect RAP (January 2026 to July 2027) | | |
| Drummond Street Services (DSS) | Reflect RAP (January 2026 to August 2027) | | |
| Calisthenics Victoria | Reflect RAP (January 2026 to January 2027) | | |
| Rural City of Murray Bridge | Innovate RAP (January 2026 to January 2028) | | |
| Diversified | Reflect RAP (January to December) | | |
| Australian Business and Community Network | Reflect RAP (January 2026 to June 2027) | | |
| UGL Pty Ltd | Stretch RAP (January 2026 to December 2028) | | |
| Wilson Architects | Reflect RAP (January to December) | | |
| Western Power | Innovate RAP (January 2026 to December 2027) | | |
| ASM GLOBAL (ASIA PACIFIC) PTY LTD | Reflect RAP (January 2026 to January 2027) | | |
| WOWOWA Architecture | Reflect RAP (January 2026 to December 2027) | | |
| One Michelin Group Australia | Innovate RAP (January 2026 to January 2028) | | |
| Federal Court of Australia Entity | Reflect RAP (January 2026 to January 2027) | | |
| Hawkesbury City Council | Innovate RAP (January 2026 to January 2028) | | |
| Wombat Housing Support Services Inc | Reflect RAP (January 2026 to June 2027) | | |
| Queanbeyan Palerang Regional Council (QPRC) | Innovate RAP (January 2026 to December 2027) | | |
| Evinact | Reflect RAP (January 2026 to June 2027) | | |
| Today Strategic Design Pty Ltd | Innovate RAP (January 2026 to December 2027) | | |
| Acquired Awareness Traffic Management | Innovate RAP (January 2026 to January 2028) | | |
| Step 2 Allied Health | Reflect RAP (January 2026 to June 2027) | | |
| Better Rehab | Reflect RAP (December 2025 to June 2027) | | |
| Exec Security | Reflect RAP (December 2025 to April 2027) | | |
| MDA National | Reflect RAP (December 2025 to June 2027) | | |
| Rain Consulting Pty Ltd | Reflect RAP (December 2025 to March 2027) | | |
| Thales Australia | Innovate RAP (December 2025 to December 2027) | | |
| Hoskins Contracting Pty Ltd | Reflect RAP (December 2025 to June 2027) | | |
| SA Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing | Innovate RAP (December 2025 to January 2027) | | |
| Scyne Advisory | Innovate RAP (December 2025 to December 2027) | | |
| Goldbridge Rehabilitation Services | Innovate RAP (December 2025 to December 2027) | | |
| Rare | Reflect RAP (December 2025 to December 2026) | | |
| Health Infrastructure | Innovate RAP (December 2025 to December 2027) | | |
| Portland District Health (PDH) | Reflect RAP (December 2025 to July 2027) | | |
| Townsville Catholic Education | Reflect RAP (December 2025 to May 2027) | | |
| Gallagher Jeffs | Reflect RAP (December 2025 to June 2027) | | |
| Raw Worx Pty Ltd | Reflect RAP (December 2025 to December 2026) | | |
| ADCO Constructions Pty Ltd | Innovate RAP (December 2025 to December 2027) | | |
| Gunnedah Shire Council | Innovate RAP (December 2025 to December 2027) | | |
| Boar Group | Innovate RAP (December 2025 to December 2027) | | |
| Eastern Access Community Health (EACH) Ltd | Innovate RAP (December 2025 to December 2027) | | |
| MAPCo | Innovate RAP (December 2025 to December 2027) | | |
| Lifeline WA | Innovate RAP (December 2025 to November 2027) | | |
| Potentia Energy | Reflect RAP (December 2025 to December 2026) | | |
| Inspired Adventures | Reflect RAP (December 2025 to February 2027) | | |
| Department of Employment and Workplace Relations | Innovate RAP (December 2025 to December 2027) | | |
| SHAC | Reflect RAP (December 2025 to December 2026) | | |
| Cleanworks Australia | Reflect RAP (December 2025 to May 2027) | | |
| Industrial Light & Magic | Reflect RAP (December 2025 to December 2027) | | |
| ACEN Australia | Reflect RAP (December 2025 to December 2026) | | |
| Ronald Mcdonald House Charities Sydney | Reflect RAP (December 2025 to December 2026) | | |
| Fair Foundations | Reflect RAP (December 2025 to December 2026) | | |
| Australian Competition & Consumer Commission | Innovate RAP (December 2025 to December 2027) | | |
| Shape Australia | Innovate RAP (November 2025 to October 2027) | | |
| Productivity Commission | Innovate RAP (November 2025 to November 2027) | | |
| Country Universities Centre Southern Shoalhaven | Innovate RAP (November 2025 to November 2027) | | |
| Living Positive Victoria | Reflect RAP (November 2025 to May 2027) | | |
| Vibrant Services Pty Ltd | Reflect RAP (November 2025 to April 2027) | | |
| Snowy Hydro | Reflect RAP (November 2025 to November 2026) | | |
| Department of Veterans’ Affairs | Innovate RAP (November 2025 to November 2027) | | |
| Nationwide Crane Hire Pty Ltd | Reflect RAP (November 2025 to May 2027) | | |
| Heidelberg Materials Australia Group Pty Ltd | Innovate RAP (November 2025 to November 2027) | | |
| Renewal SA | Innovate RAP (November 2025 to November 2027) | | |
| Donor Republic | Reflect RAP (November 2025 to November 2026) | | |
| Pilbara Community Legal Service | Reflect RAP (November 2025 to December 2026) | | |
| Islamic Council of Victoria (ICV) | Innovate RAP (November 2025 to November 2028) | | |
| WA State Solicitor’s Office | Reflect RAP (November 2025 to June 2027) | | |
| Miles Accommodation Services | Innovate RAP (November 2025 to November 2027) | | |
| Koorana Child & Family Services | Reflect RAP (November 2025 to December 2026) | | |
| Gold Coast Primary Health Network (GCPHN) | Innovate RAP (November 2025 to November 2027) | | |
| BCD Travel Australia | Reflect RAP (November 2025 to May 2027) | | |
| RELX | Reflect RAP (November 2025 to May 2027) | | |
| Metrics Credit Partners | Innovate RAP (November 2025 to November 2027) | | |
| Starick Services Inc | Reflect RAP (November 2025 to December 2026) | | |
| South Australian Forestry Corporation (Forestry SA) | Innovate RAP (November 2025 to November 2027) | | |
| Dignity | Reflect RAP (November 2025 to October 2026) | | |
| Arthritis Australia | Reflect RAP (November 2025 to October 2026) | | |
| Somerset Regional Council | Reflect RAP (November 2025 to May 2027) | | |
| Allianz Partners | Reflect RAP (October 2025 to March 2027) | | |
| Jarrah Integrated Services Pty Ltd | Reflect RAP (October 2025 to April 2027) | | |
| Kennett Builders | Reflect RAP (October 2025 to October 2026) | | |
| Insignia Financial | Innovate RAP (October 2025 to October 2027) | | |
| Homes North Community Housing | Innovate RAP (October 2025 to November 2027) | | |
| Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) | Innovate RAP (October 2025 to September 2027) | | |
| Australian Lawyers Alliance (ALA) | Innovate RAP (October 2025 to October 2027) | | |
| RWW Group | Reflect RAP (October 2025 to April 2027) | | |
| J.P. Morgan | Reflect RAP (October 2025 to April 2027) | | |
| SA Power Networks | Innovate RAP (October 2025 to October 2027) | | |
| Source My Parts | Reflect RAP (October 2025 to October 2026) | | |
| ModnPods Australia Pty Ltd | Innovate RAP (October 2025 to October 2027) | | |
| Common Ground Queensland | Innovate RAP (October 2025 to October 2027) | | |
| Dietitians Australia | Innovate RAP (October 2025 to October 2027) | | |
| AbbVie Australia (AbbVie) | Innovate RAP (October 2025 to October 2027) | | |
| Cancer Council WA (CCWA) | Innovate RAP (October 2025 to October 2027) | | |
| City of Stonnington | Innovate RAP (October 2025 to October 2027) | | |
| Creating Communities Australia Pty Ltd | Innovate RAP (October 2025 to October 2027) | | |
| Australian Institute of Family Studies | Reflect RAP (October 2025 to April 2027) | | |
| Kilmore Group | Reflect RAP (October 2025 to October 2026) | | |
| Scouts Australia | Reflect RAP (October 2025 to March 2027) | | |
| Port of Melbourne | Innovate RAP (October 2025 to September 2027) | | |
| WA Department of Fire & Emergency Services (DFES) | Innovate RAP (October 2025 to October 2027) | | |
| Australasian Union of Jewish Students | Reflect RAP (October 2025 to October 2026) | | |
| NetApp | Reflect RAP (October 2025 to December 2027) | | |
| Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) | Innovate RAP (October 2025 to September 2027) | | |
| Ronald McDonald House Charities Australia | Innovate RAP (October 2025 to October 2027) | | |
| Australian Sports Commission | Innovate RAP (October 2025 to September 2027) | | |
| Tyree Group | Reflect RAP (October 2025 to September 2026) | | |
| Australian Gas Infrastructure Group | Innovate RAP (October 2025 to October 2027) | | |
| Together For Humanity | Reflect RAP (October 2025 to December 2026) | | |
| Global Rev Gen (GRG) | Reflect RAP (October 2025 to April 2027) | | |
| Australian Council for Adult Literacy | Reflect RAP (October 2025 to April 2027) | | |
| Westpac Group | Stretch RAP (October 2025 to October 2028) | | |
| Comlink Australia | Reflect RAP (October 2025 to September 2026) | | |
| Indiji Enterprises Pty Ltd T/A Indiji Civil | Reflect RAP (October 2025 to October 2026) | | |
| BridgeClimb | Innovate RAP (September 2025 to September 2027) | | |
| Deloitte | Stretch RAP (September 2025 to May 2028) | | |
| OzChild | Stretch RAP (September 2025 to September 2028) | | |
| Lives Lived Well (LLW) | Innovate RAP (September 2025 to August 2027) | | |
| Duratec Limited | Reflect RAP (September 2025 to September 2026) | | |
| Blue Knot Foundation | Reflect RAP (September 2025 to March 2027) | | |
| OzHarvest | Reflect RAP (September 2025 to September 2026) | | |
| GoTransit Media Group | Reflect RAP (September 2025 to September 2026) | | |
| McMillan Shakespeare Group (MMS) | Innovate RAP (September 2025 to September 2027) | | |
| Toyota Finance Australia Limited | Innovate RAP (September 2025 to September 2027) | | |
| GS Engineering & Construction | Reflect RAP (September 2025 to March 2027) | | |
| Rest Superannuation | Innovate RAP (September 2025 to September 2027) | | |
| Nine | Reflect RAP (September 2025 to September 2026) | | |
| LSKD | Reflect RAP (September 2025 to June 2026) | | |
| Colac Area Health | Reflect RAP (September 2025 to September 2026) | | |
| DesignInc Sydney | Innovate RAP (September 2025 to September 2027) | | |
| Northcott Disability Services | Stretch RAP (September 2025 to August 2028) | | |
| Saab Australia Pty Ltd | Innovate RAP (September 2025 to September 2027) | | |
| Green Wind Renewables | Reflect RAP (September 2025 to March 2027) | | |
| The Estée Lauder Companies | Reflect RAP (September 2025 to January 2027) | | |
