KPMG is committed to addressing some of the most striking inequalities facing Indigenous Australia. Our work – focusing on economic and social development, recognising and promoting the rights of Indigenous Australians, and inspiring leadership for reconciliation – has led to our most recent Reconciliation Action Plan being awarded ‘Elevate’ status. In addition, our work with Indigenous communities has been recognised by the Australian Human Rights Commission, which awarded the firm the Human Rights Business Award in 2014. Our work is guided by international human rights frameworks, including the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the United Nations Global Compact.

A key partnership is our 10-year involvement with Jawun, a non-profit organisation focusing on long-term initiatives that help break the cycle of welfare dependency in Indigenous communities.

Our people have the opportunity to work with Indigenous organisations and communities on a project basis in a diverse range of locations, from remote communities like the West Kimberley, to regional and urban settings such as Redfern in Sydney. Through the Jawun program our people are applying their skills and knowledge to help build the capacity of Indigenous businesses and, ultimately, healthier and more sustainable communities.

Since 2007, when our first secondees travelled to Cape York, more than 200 of our people have undertaken a secondment with Jawun and contributed more than 46,000 hours of professional time to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.

• Jawun is a non-profit organisation fostering economic and social development to help break the cycle of welfare dependency in Indigenous communities.
• The Australian Indigenous Education Foundation (AIEF) is focused on creating positive futures for young Indigenous Australians by facilitating access to leading schools, universities and corporations.
• The Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME) is an educational program supporting Indigenous students through high school and into university, employment or education.
  

In late 2016, KPMG Australia was proud to announce three important, new initiatives dedicated to reconciliation and empowerment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and businesses.

1. A stronger commitment to thought leadership, commencing with the launch of a discussion paper: Collaborative Ideas for Igniting the Indigenous Economy.
2. An investment in, and partnership with, Arrilla – one of Australia’s leading providers of cultural competency training for the workplace and reconciliation.
3. The creation of a new service offering that co-ordinates a whole-of-KPMG approach to the advancement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and prosperity.

These announcements represent the most significant step forward in the history of KPMG’s 10-year commitment to reconciliation.

• KPMG's Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) (2017-2020)
• Igniting the Indigenous Economy (2016)