Working on Country
Having a job as a ranger on my own country has made a big difference. I never thought that it would be possible to find full time work in my own community
Mark Shadforth, Bardi Jawi Ranger, One Arm Point, WA
The Australian Government established Working on Country recognising that protecting and conserving the environment is a shared responsibility and to provide sustainable employment for Indigenous people.
Indigenous people have long-held cultural and traditional responsibilities to protect and manage their land and sea country. They own an estimated 20 per cent of the Australian continent, upon which lies some of our most environmentally precious natural assets and, for Indigenous people, is rich in cultural and spiritual meaning.
Working on Country builds on Indigenous traditional knowledge to protect and manage land and sea country. Over 600 Indigenous rangers are employed across Australia to deliver environmental outcomes. It is expected that around 680 rangers will be trained and employed through Working on Country by June 2013.
News & events
Economic and employment outcomes of the Working on Country program
Prepared by Allen Consulting Group for the department, this report examines and quantifies the economic and employment outcomes and impacts of the Working on Country Indigenous ranger program.
Register of Cultural Heritage Management Training Providers
The Register of Cultural Heritage Management Training Providers has been developed under the Australian Government's Working on Country program as a resource for Indigenous land and sea managers who want to undertake training in cultural heritage management.
The Benefits of Caring for Country - Literature Review
Prepared by Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) for the Department, this Literature Review considers the growing field of research that is documenting and examining the benefits of caring for country.
New Indigenous ranger jobs
On 14 November Environment Minister, Tony Burke, and Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, announced an expansion of the Working on Country Indigenous ranger program in the Northern Territory. The expansion will deliver 50 more Indigenous ranger jobs to protect and conserve Australia's environment. Growth in the successful Working on Country program is one of several measures linked to the Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory package.
West Arnhem Land Fire Abatement Project Partners win 2011 Banksia Award
Rangers undertaking dry season burning
