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Indigenous Staff
Here at Western Sydney University, we are committed to a population parity of 3% by 2025 with up to 20 new positions created across Western for Indigenousacademics and at least 5 new traineeships for professional staff.
We are positioning Western as a place of choice for Indigenous Australians to work in an environment that supports and nurtures their careers. In return Indigenous staff members bring community connections and cultural insights that expand the mission of Western and help it better reflect its community.
If you are interested in joining the Western Sydney University team, we encourage you to complete the Deadly Talent Registrar. Upon completing this form, you will be contacted by our Indigenous Employment Team for the next steps and information on how to receive employment opportunity updates. Our Identified roles to require staff to provide confirmation of their Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander identity. We recognise that due to the impacts of colonisation and historical policies, often obtaining an official Confirmation of Identity can be challenging. See our documentation requirements for further advice
Sage Cygnet Report: May 2024
Dr Sarah Kennedy, Dr Kieryn McKay and Gabrielle Talbot-Mundine
Final Report – SAGE Cygnet Impact Assessment
Gathering Insight and Embedding Workplace Improvements for Indigenous Staff at Western Sydney University.
Ignite Indigenous Traineeship Program
The Western Sydney University Ignite Indigenous Traineeship Program is delivered by the Division of the Deputy-Vice Chancellor Indigenous Leadership and provides a vocational pathway for Indigenous participants to gain paid experience in university operations as business administration trainees.
Participants are employed as professional staff members and will acquire a unique business skillset from a host Division or Faculty within the university. The program offers a one-year fixed term of employment in combination with enrolment into a Certificate III in Business.
While employment following the traineeship is not guaranteed, trainees will be encouraged and supported to apply for ongoing or fixed term employment and/or further study opportunities.
We welcome all interested Australian Indigenous people to submit their Expression of Interest.
Host Unit
Frequently Asked Questions
An Australian traineeship is a vocational education and training (VET) pathway of employment. A traineeship is a training agreement between the trainee and their employer whereby the employer agrees to train the trainee via employment, and the trainee agrees to work and conduct study. This type of employment combines paid on the job training with an accredited national VET qualification delivered by a registered training organisation (RTO). Traineeships are presented to people of all ages and can last for as long as 48 months. Hiring a trainee is a great way to train a specific skill set within a workplace environment that is specific to fulfilling an employer’s needs.
Ignite trainees will be employed on full time fixed term 12-month employment contracts under the respective WSU/College professional staff agreements. In addition to this a formal training plan will be developed in consensus with the host unit in delivering the BSB30120 Certificate III in Business by The College as the RTO provider. The Office of Indigenous Employment will facilitate and provide strong support on this whole process.
Any team can host a trainee, given they have sufficient budget to fund the position. An application process will be completed collecting key details including the trainee supervisor’s contact information, employment location and confirmation of budget allocation. To inquire about hosting a trainee please contact DVCIL@westernsydney.edu.au
Applications will be assessed, and business units advised by end of December every year.
The Ignite Traineeship is a 12-month fixed term commitment for the business unit whereby the trainee conducts study one day per week or fortnight of structured learning with the registered training organisation (RTO). The College of WSU have partnered with the Ignite program to deliver the Certificate III in Business with no charge to the trainee. Western Sydney University The College will facilitate the training in face-to-face delivery on a fortnightly rotation.
- Host trainees for a 12-month fixed term of employment.
- Provide a supportive and encouraging workplace environment.
- Provide an ergonomically friendly workstation set up (work desk, chair and equipment).
- Put in place genuine on the job training in accordance with the traineeship training plan.
- Set up in house mentorship with a suitable work colleague.
- Ensure trainees are compliant to unit workplace responsibilities.
- Regularly consult with the Indigenous Employment Officer (Sharna McNamara) and other relevant stakeholders when needed.
- Provide ongoing information on potential vacancies for future employment within the unit or relevant business contacts.
The Trainee can be of any age and is able to provide professional, friendly, and engaging service support to the workplace supervisor and the host unit. The Trainee will complete all required and requested tasks appropriate to this level position and prioritise task completion in accordance with the University’s policy and procedures. This includes record keeping and filing systems as directed by workplace supervisor in accordance with University’s policy and procedures.
Trainee Applicants
Frequently Asked Questions
An Australian traineeship is a vocational education and training (VET) pathway of employment. During a traineeship the trainee will earn a wage and receive educational training about specific to the industry you have been employed within. This opportunity allows the trainee to build a practical and theoretical knowledge base of their field of work through paid on the job training and an accredited national VET qualification delivered by a registered training organisation (RTO). Traineeships are presented to people of all ages and can last for as long as 48 months.
The Ignite Indigenous Traineeship Program is available to Australian Indigenous peoples of Greater Western Sydney to participate in on-the-job training alongside vocational education and training (VET) in a large higher education organisation.
This is an identified position and applicants must be an Aboriginal and /or Torres Strait Islander person. Being an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person is a genuine occupational qualification as authorised under Section 14(D) of the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act, 1977 NSW.
Western Sydney University is a modern, forward-thinking, research-led institution at the heart of Australia’s fastest-growing and most economically significant region. With 11 campuses across Sydney and international locations in Vietnam and Indonesia—plus planned expansion in India—it serves nearly 50,000 students, 3,500 staff, and a global network of over 200,000 alumni. Ranked in the top 2% of universities worldwide, over 85% of its assessed research is rated ‘World Standard’ or above. The University is ranked #1 globally and nationally in the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings (2022-2025) for its commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
As a Business Administration Trainee, you will have a 12-month opportunity to learn various aspects of administration within a business environment. The main aspects of the role will include:
- Providing service/administrative support to the workplace supervisor and business unit
- Maintain record keeping and filing systems
- Use computerised information systems and related technologies
- Prioritising own and other adhoc tasks to meet required deadlines
This is a full-time, fixed term role for 12-months with multiple positions on offer. These positions will be based in the multiple Divisions or Facilities across Western Sydney University.
There are multiple opportunities at the following WSU campuses.
- Bankstown City
- Campbelltown
- Hawkesbury
- Kingswood
- Liverpool City
- Parramatta City & Engineering Innovation Hub
- Parramatta South
- Westmead
Please note that some of these roles are shared between two or more of the offices within these sectors of the university and a trainee will need to travel to a new campus for the next period of their employment.
To be considered for intake into this entry level employment program candidates will need to meet the following criteria:
- To identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person
- To have completed a year 9 level of schooling or equivalent
- To have an interest in general business administration duties
- Have not completed any formal education equivalent to or higher than a Certificate III in Business.
- To display a commitment to enrol and complete a Certificate III in Business traineeship for 12 months.
Applications for the Ignite Traineeship open every year from August. If you're interested in future opportunities outside of the application period, you can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the provided link. This ensures you'll be notified when positions become availableand helps you prepare ahead of time for the application process. For more inquires or support please contact DVCIL@westernsydney.edu.au.
Remuneration Package: HEW Level 1 $72,750 to $75,643 p.a. (comprising Salary of $61,475 to $63,919 p.a., plus Superannuation and Leave Loading
The College of WSU have partnered with the Ignite program to deliver the Certificate III in Business for free. This is at no cost to the applicant.
Throughout your traineeship, you will gain valuable skills through both formal training and on-the-job experience. As part of the program, Ignite offers a dedicated career development training day focused on resume writing, interview preparation, and navigating application processes. This session is delivered toward the end of the traineeship to support participants in securing employment within or beyond the university. For those interested in pursuing further study, additional support is provided throughout the application process and into the commencement of their higher education journey.
