Governance
Governance is the scaffolding that supports our success. It moves us forward, holds us accountable and ensures truth, transparency and integrity.
Governance also provides the mechanism for how we engage with our community and embed change into our DNA. Through this governance framework, we are committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity, equity and excellence for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, building a stronger, more reconciled future for all.
The UQ Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan governance actions align with Toward 2032: UQ Strategic Plan 2022-2025 through the Strategic Plan’s focus on being recognised by Reconciliation Australia as an Elevate RAP Organisation.
Recent achievements
- 2020: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research and Innovation Strategy launched to help UQ excel as a leader in Indigenous research and innovation and to support the career progression of Indigenous researchers.
- 2021: UQ Library launches the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives guide to ensure that teaching curriculum and reading lists represent the diverse student voices of Indigenous peoples.
- 2022: UQ releases its Indigenous Procurement Strategy (login required, PDF 221KB) to help direct its procurement spending towards creating opportunities for strengthening relationships with Indigenous businesses and communities.
Download UQ's Stretch RAP Plan (PDF, 6.9 MB) for a complete timeline of actions and achievements.
Case study
Governance and accountability in action: Creating a Roadmap for all to follow
In the ongoing journey towards reconciliation at The University of Queensland, the principles of governance and accountability guide pathways to meaningful change and lasting impact. The Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Working Group is integral to finding these pathways, a beacon of exemplary governance and accountability in action.
Actions
19.1 RAPOC will provide strategic direction and assess UQ’s progress against goals, actions, and deliverables
Timeline: September 2025, 2026, 2027
Lead: VC
Support: Provost and DVC(IE)
19.2 RAPOC will meet at least three times per year to monitor and formally report on Stretch RAP implementation to UQ’s key governing committees including Senate and USET
Timeline: Three times annually to align with UQ Executive calendar in 2025, 2026, 2027
Lead: VC
Support: DVC(IE)
19.3 Review and update the Terms of Reference for the RAPWG and RAPOC
Timeline: March 2025
Lead: VC
Support: DVC(IE)
19.4 Consider the establishment of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Board to provide a formal Indigenous Voice across all areas of UQ business concerning education, engagement, and research
Timeline: June 2025
Lead: VC
Support: DVC(IE)
20.1 Identify financial and human resources in Faculties, Institutes, Centres, Key Divisions, and the Office of the Vice-Chancellor’s annual budgets to drive RAP implementation, evaluation and reporting
Timeline: October 2025, 2026, 2027
Lead: Provost
Support: COO
20.2 Embed key RAP actions in KPIs for UQ’s senior executive group, Executive Deans, Institute Directors, Heads of Schools, and Divisional Heads as part of their annual performance appraisal
Timeline: February 2025, 2026, 2027
Lead: Provost
Support: CHRO and USET
20.3 Embed appropriate systems and capability to track, measure and report on RAP commitments and achievement of KPI’s by senior management
Timeline: Reviewed December 2025, 2026, 2027
Lead: VC
Support: Provost, CHRO, DVC(IE) and CIO
20.4 Increase RAP Champion numbers by three, to have five RAP Champions appointed, incorporating gender and cultural diversity balance: senior management, alumni
Timeline: March 2025, 2026, 2027
Lead: VC
Support: DVC(IE), CHRO and Provost
20.5 Embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation as ‘business as usual’ on all senior management and governance committees
Timeline: Reviewed March 2025, 2026, 2027
Lead: VC
Support: USET
20.6 RAP is a standing agenda item at senior management meetings
Timeline: Reviewed March 2025, 2026, 2027
Lead: VC
Support: Senate, USET and USLG
21.1 Contact Reconciliation Australia to verify that our primary and secondary contact details are up to date, to ensure we do not miss important RAP correspondence
Timeline: June 2025, 2026, 2027
Lead: DVC(IE)
21.2 Contact Reconciliation Australia to request our unique link, to access the online RAP Impact Survey.
Timeline: August 2025, 2026, 2027
Lead: DVC(IE)
21.3 Complete and submit the annual RAP Impact Survey to Reconciliation Australia.
Timeline: September 2025, 2026, 2027
Lead: DVC(IE)
21.4 Report significant/key RAP achievements through university governance mechanisms biannually.
Timeline: August and February 2025, 2026, 2027
Lead: VC
Support: DVC(IE), Provost and USET
21.5 All UQ business areas (Faculties, Institutes, Centres and Key Divisions) publicly report against our RAP commitments annually, outlining achievements, challenges, and learnings.
Timeline: December 2025, 2026, 2027
Lead: Provost
Support: Executive Deans, Institute and Centre Directors and Key Division Directors
21.6 Meet with Reconciliation Australia to discuss UQ’s Reconciliation Action Plan progress.
Timeline: April and October 2025, 2026, 2027
Lead: DVC(IE)
21.7 Participate in Reconciliation Australia’s biennial Workplace RAP Barometer.
Timeline: May 2026
Lead: COO
Support: CHRO and DVC(IE)
21.8 Submit a traffic light report to Reconciliation Australia at the conclusion of this RAP.
Timeline: December 2027
Lead: VC
Support: Provost and DVC(IE)
22.1 Register via Reconciliation Australia’s website to begin developing our next RAP
Timeline: July 2026
Lead: VC
Support: DVC(IE)