Artwork: Kirsten Gray
12 March 2026
Almost 60 percent of First Nations employees experience racism in Australian workplaces, a new study backed by the NAB Foundation has found.
Gari Yala 2 (Speak the Truth), a survey of more than 1,100 First Nations employees by the Centre for Indigenous People and Work (CIPW) at the University of Technology Sydney, found that one in two (53 percent) First Nations employees still experience inappropriate race-based comments and assumptions at work.
In addition, only 40 percent of First Nations employees reported that their workplaces were culturally safe, with most reporting being either in a culturally unsafe (25 percent) or only moderately safe workplace (35 percent).
Director of CIPW, Professor Nareen Young, said the results of the research are a wake-up call to employers and all levels of government.
“Although, there has been some progress since our first report in 2020, racism and lack of cultural safety remain widespread.”
Prof Young said that six years on from the first Gari Yala study there have been small gains, but racism remains stubbornly high. Findings include:
More employees feel safe to share their identity (79% versus 72%) and seven of nine forms of racism have eased slightly (by between 0.4% and 1% per year).
Key markers like unfair treatment (38% in both years), high cultural load (63% versus 64%), and antiracism structures (only 21% of workplaces offering both training and a complaint process in both years) show no progress.
Prof Young said that at the current rate of progress, without further policy or legislative change, it could take another 118 years for First Nations workers to never hear racial slurs and jokes at work.
“The increasing numbers of our mob in work where they had previously been excluded form employment market participation has been a great achievement, but these workplaces need to be made safe. No one should have to suffer vilification and ridicule as part of their conditions of employment,” Prof Young said.
Samantha Webster, Head of First Nations Affairs at NAB, said NAB Foundation backed the Gari Yala research to improve employment outcomes.
“Gari Yala shows the power of listening to lived experiences, backing it up with strong data to help people feel safe, respected, and able to contribute fully at work. Trust grows when First Nations peoples can see their experiences reflected.
“The research builds credibility in the system and gives leaders clear evidence to act on, not just good intentions.”
Gari Yala 2 (Speak the Truth): Centring the Work Experiences of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Australians in 2025-2026 was conducted by the Centre for Indigenous People and Work at the University of Technology of Sydney. The research was made possible by the founding support of the NAB Foundation. A full copy of the report is available at: Indigenous Work Experiences in Australia: Gari Yala 2
Launch of Gari Yala 2 Speak the Truth (Photo by: Shane Rozario)
