Caring for our country: working on country

• Reach:

  National

• Focus area:

  Indigenous

• Status:

  Current

• Evaluated:

  No

Overview

The Working on country program is an Indigenous specific program which is part of the Australian Government's national Caring for our country (CFOC) project. The program aims to:

• support Indigenous people with the goals they have set for caring for country
• protect and manage the environmental and heritage value of Australia by providing paid employment opportunities for Indigenous people to pursue environmental work on country
• provide training and career guidance for Indigenous people in land and sea management using local knowledge where possible.

Approximately 680 Indigenous rangers are employed in around 90 ranger teams across Australia delivering positive environmental outcomes.

A recent assessment of the Working on country program found that it was highly valued by participants. Participants found that it had significant demonstrable benefits and felt it should continue in the future.

Working on country is supported by the Australian Government as an ongoing program with funding committed until June 2017.

Abstract adapted from the Australian Government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities

Contacts

Indigenous Policy Branch
Australian Government Caring for Our Country
GPO Box 787
Canberra ACT 2601
Ph: 1800 552 008 (free call)
Email: workingoncountry@environment.gov.au

Related publications

May K (2010)

Indigenous cultural and natural resource management and the emerging role of the Working on Country program.

Canberra: Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research

• Links
• View abstract: Indigenous cultural and natural resource management and the emerging role of the Working on Country program
• View report: Indigenous cultural and natural resource management and the emerging role of the Working on Country program (PDF - 2.5 MB)
• View website: Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research

Natural Resource Management (2008)

Caring for our country: outcomes 2008-2013.

Canberra: Natural Resource Management (NRM), Australia

• Links
• View report: Caring for our country: outcomes 2008-2013 (PDF - 4.9 MB)
• View information: Caring for our country: outcomes 2008-2013
• View information: Caring for our country: outcomes 2008-2013
• View website: Caring for our country

Working on country (2007)

Department of the Environment Water Heritage and the Arts

• Links
• View information: Working on country
• View website: Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts

Urbis (2012)

Assessment of the social outcomes of the Working on Country program.

Canberra: Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities

• Links
• View report: Assessment of the social outcomes of the Working on Country program (PDF - 4.1 MB)
• View website: Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities

Australian Department of Sustainability Environment Water Population and Communities (2011)

Working on Country funded projects.

Retrieved 2011 from http://www.environment.gov.au/indigenous/workingoncountry/projects/index.html

• Links
• View information: Working on Country
• View information: Working on Country funded projects
• View website: Australian Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities

Links

• View information: Working on Country
• View website: Caring for our Country