National Reconciliation Week 2026 provided an important opportunity for the Department of Finance to reflect, learn and take meaningful action under the theme All In. Observed from 27 May to 3 June, the week invited all Australians to consider how we can contribute to reconciliation through our work, behaviours and everyday interactions.
The All In theme called on each of us to commit wholeheartedly – moving beyond intention to sustained, practical action. At Finance, this aligns closely with our ongoing reconciliation journey and our responsibility as a central agency to influence systems, policies and outcomes across government in ways that support equity and inclusion.
Throughout the week, Finance staff engaged in a curated program of activities delivered by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Staff Network (ATSISN) in partnership with the Culture and Diversity team in HR Branch. These activities were designed to strengthen cultural understanding, build respectful relationships, and encourage reflection on how reconciliation connects to our roles and responsibilities.
The week ended with a Closing Event held in the atrium at One Canberra Avenue. The event brought staff together to acknowledge the significance of National Reconciliation Week and to reflect on what it means to be All In for reconciliation in the workplace. The program featured a Rite of Passage, a Secretary’s address, a Flag Raising Ceremony – creating a shared moment to recognise the importance of respect, recognition and continued commitment.
Further activities across the week provided opportunities for deeper learning and engagement. A gallery of previous Reconciliation Week posters was featured to open the week, with words from one of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Champions. An Indigenous Data Session offered a thought-provoking discussion on how data practices can be culturally informed, respectful and fit for purpose. A virtual film screening facilitated reflective conversations, while the First Nations Experiences of Democracy Tour at Old Parliament House provided valuable insight into the role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have played in shaping Australia’s democratic history.
Together, these activities created space for dialogue, learning and reflection, supporting staff to consider how reconciliation can be embedded into everyday decision-making and workplace culture. They also reinforced the importance of listening to the perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and ensuring these perspectives inform the systems and processes we shape.
Supporting reconciliation in practice
National Reconciliation Week also highlighted the role each of us plays in contributing to meaningful, sustained change. At Finance and across the APS, staff can support reconciliation by:
- Engaging with Finance’s Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan and reflecting on how your work supports equity and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- Exploring the APS Allyship Toolkit to build practical skills and confidence
National Reconciliation Week 2026 also provided an opportunity to reflect on the release of Finance’s Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2026–2028. The RAP outlines clear, measurable actions to embed reconciliation into Finance’s core functions and culture, reinforcing our commitment to making reconciliation ‘business as usual’. The week served as a practical demonstration of how these commitments are brought to life through engagement, capability building and shared responsibility.
As Finance continues its reconciliation journey, the All In message remains clear: meaningful change is achieved through collective action, everyday commitment, and a willingness to learn, reflect and act together.
