The RANZCP’s Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2024–26 sets out 20 actions with 91 deliverables to be achieved over three years. As of September, 28 of this year’s deliverables have been completed, and the mandatory annual progress report to Reconciliation Australia has been submitted. 

Measuring the success of our RAP is not just about a tangible tick beside each completed action, but in seeing these initiatives take hold as standard College activities. Two of last year's initiatives have been successfully repeated this year, with more staff choosing to use the two-hours paid leave to participate in a NAIDOC Week event, and more than double the number of attendees at the “You Can’t Ask That” webinar.

National Reconciliation Action Week 27 May – 3 June 2025

The College hosted two events to support learning, reflection, and connection. Staff participated in a Naarm Walking Club to attend the Bunjil Creation Dance Ceremony and watched Still We Rise, a powerful documentary that marks 50 years since the establishment of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy. Dr Marshall Watson shared a message to members outlining the progress we’re making in attracting, supporting and retaining our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander psychiatry workforce, and our work across policy, advocacy and education.

National NAIDOC Week 6–13 July 2025 

To celebrate this year's theme – The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy, two First Nations Psychiatry Interest Forum members shared what the NAIDOC theme means to them, and how their Elders and ancestors influenced their journey into medicine and psychiatry. 

We hosted a webinar – You Can't Ask That: A candid conversation on Indigenous mental health – in which three of Australia's Indigenous psychiatrists tackled questions about the unique challenges faced by Indigenous Australians, cultural safety in psychiatric practice, breaking down stigma and building trust. 250 members and staff attended the event, nearly double the number from last year. In addition, 19 staff members took the opportunity to take two hours of paid leave to attend events celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and shared their learnings with their teams. 

Recognition of reconciliation and content relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health at events 

Messaging to encourage abstracts that demonstrate work being undertaken within psychiatry with a reconciliation focus has been added to the College's events abstract submission promotional material. The Local Organising Committee members shared the call for abstracts with relevant colleagues and contacts in their own networks. 
 
Supporting the next generation of First Nations psychiatrists 

Informative resources about approaches to mental health and wellbeing was sent to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander PIF members during NAIDOC week. A dedicated PIF web page was launched outlining specific supports, scholarship opportunities and educational materials for those who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and are looking to begin a career in psychiatry.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health Committee update

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health Committee met online in August to continue progressing key priorities focused on cultural safety, inclusive education, and strengthening the participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the College. Key areas of discussion included:

• the planned redevelopment of training modules
• a review of internal policies to support culturally appropriate engagement
• the development of a Cultural Safety Framework. 

The Committee also explored ways to build stronger, more sustainable support structures for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainees and staff. This includes expanding cultural liaison capacity within the College and ensuring roles are appropriately resourced, supported, and reflective of diverse lived experiences and community contexts.

Members contributed to the College’s response to new AMC standards, which place greater emphasis on equity, inclusion, and cultural safety in specialist medical education. The importance of trauma-informed care, mentorship, and visibility of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership was a recurring theme throughout the discussions.

As we continue to take action and progress this work, our priorities for the rest of this year include:

• Developing an event guide that can support the inclusion of cultural protocols in all College events and ensuring these become ongoing practice
• Communicating how we can best access and utilise First Nations’ suppliers under our procurement policy
• Planning for our next Reconciliation Action Plan to be launched in May 2026