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FAQs

ABORIGINAL EMPLOYMENT TARGETS

Contractors — Gascoyne, Mid West, Wheatbelt, Peel, South West, Great Southern, Goldfields/Esperance, Metro

What are the Aboriginal employment targets?

The Housing Authority (Housing) requires contractors undertaking applicable construction and civil works contracts to work towards, achieve or exceed set Aboriginal Employment Targets. The targets will be phased in over a five year period.

Region Year and Target (by percentage of employees)

2016-19 2020 OnwardsKimberley and Pilbara 20% 25%

Goldfields/Esperance 10% 15%

All other regions Towards 5% 5%

Contracts with the following conditions will include Aboriginal employment target requirements:

• Construction contracts procured by Housing at a total value greater than $250,000

• Civil works contracts procured by Housing at a total labour value greater than $300,000

• Demolition contracts awarded by Housing at a total value greater than $250,000

• Joint Ventures where agreed by the Joint Venture Board

• It only applies to Contracts awarded after 30 September 2016

For contracts valued under $250,000 Housing has the option to directly purchase from registered Aboriginal businesses (registered on the Aboriginal Business Director or Supply Nation).

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Why has the Housing Authority introduced Aboriginal employment targets? Housing is committed to enhancing Aboriginal economic participation outcomes. By employing more Aboriginal workers, more sustainable economic opportunities will be provided while also improving the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in Australia. Contractors working for Housing have been successfully meeting Aboriginal worker targets for some years as part of the Kimberley Employment & Enterprise Program (KEEP) and the National Partnership on Remote Indigenous Housing Agreement requirements. Housing is now expanding these programs State wide.

What are the advantages of employing Aboriginal workers?• The Australian Chamber of Commerce recognises the advantages of becoming an employer of choice and notes

that, “Employers need to develop innovative strategies to attract and retain valued employees to meet the vital labour needs of their business now and for the future. Indigenous Australians remain an underutilised source of labour.” (Employ Outside the Box, The Business Case for Employing Indigenous Australians, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 2014.

• According to Reconciliation Australia, “The growing number of young working-age Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians is a valuable source of labour and talent for Australia’s workforce today, and an essential one for the future. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population in Australia is growing at a faster rate than the non-Indigenous population and has a very different age profile - about 56% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are under 25 years of age, compared with around 33% of the rest of the population.” (Fact Sheet: The benefits of employing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians Reconciliation Australia)

• Being committed to Aboriginal employment is important when applying for government contracts. Commonwealth government procurement includes this requirement and State government has recently approved mandatory targets in all construction and maintenance contracts.

What changes can contractors expect when undertaking Housing Authority construction and civil works contracts?After contract award, contractors will be required to submit an Aboriginal Employment Plan. Housing will provide a template for contractors to complete. Contractors will be required to report on a monthly basis at the time of progress payments against that plan. The report also requires contractors to provide information about the number of workers, including Aboriginal workers employed on the project.

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Where can I get help to prepare an Aboriginal Employment Plan? Housing has developed a Help Guide with some useful links for more information including links to organisations that can help you develop your Aboriginal engagement strategies. Contractors are able to contact their Project Manager for further advice and support.

How will Housing assess the quality of the Aboriginal Employment Plan?The Project Manager will provide feedback to the contractor where further information or clarification is required. Project Managers will seek advice and support from Housing’s Aboriginal Economic Development Manager where required.

What will change for subcontractors?Head Contractors will be asked to report against subcontractors’ workforce details on a monthly basis. Subcontractors who have an active Aboriginal workforce may now be seen as attractive suppliers to Head Contractors.

What if a Head Contractor does not know how many employees a subcontractor has hired?Contractors should attempt to gather this information and provide as much information as possible. Housing has developed a template that will help gather this information. Where a contractor is having difficulty, provide a clear explanation of attempts to gather information and results of these attempts to the Project Manager for advice and support.

I don’t have any employees who are Aboriginal, can I work with Housing?If you are interested in doing business with Housing and are committed to building your business so that Aboriginal workers can be employed and supported in your workforce, we are interested in working with you. Contractors will be asked to complete an Aboriginal Employment Plan which can be used to describe a strategy for preparing to employ Aboriginal workers in the future.

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Business is tough at the moment and I am not planning to take on any Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal employees, can I still work with Housing?Housing is committed to improving economic outcomes for Aboriginal people in WA. Housing will expect contractors to demonstrate the way in which their business will work towards increasing the number of Aboriginal workers employed on Housing contracts. Even with a stable workforce, Housing expects contractors to consider the way Aboriginal workers will be engaged in the future.

Where can I find more information? • Questions about the advertised tender - As per contact details in the advertised tender

• Questions about your contract once awarded – Contact the Project Manager

• Information on Aboriginal engagement – Refer to the Engaging Aboriginal Workers Fact Sheet

• Aboriginal Employment Target Guidelines; Aboriginal Employment Plan – Refer to Housing’s website

• Information about Tendering for Housing – Refer to Housing Authority website, Procurement and Contracts.

For more information:www.housing.wa.gov.au

aboriginalengagement@housing.wa.gov.au

(08) 9222 4675

If your enquiry relates to an advertised Tender or existing Contract, please ensure you contact the person identified in the tender documentation or your Project Manager