Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement Policy

Elite Engineering WA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we operate — the Whadjuk Noongar people — and pays respect to their Elders past, present, and emerging. We recognise the deep connection that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have with Country, and we are committed to meaningful engagement, economic participation, and respectful partnership.

1. Our Commitment

Elite Engineering WA is committed to:

• Providing genuine employment and training opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• Engaging Aboriginal-owned and managed businesses in our supply chain where practicable
• Building cultural awareness within our team through education and training
• Developing and working toward a formal Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)
• Meeting or exceeding the Aboriginal engagement requirements of our clients in the mining, energy, and construction sectors
• Treating all people with dignity, respect, and fairness regardless of background

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

• All employees and subcontractors engaged by Elite Engineering WA
• All procurement and supplier selection decisions
• All project sites where Elite Engineering WA performs work
• Our workshop operations and office environment in Perth, Western Australia

3. Aboriginal Employment

Employment Commitment

Elite Engineering WA commits to:

• Actively considering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates for all advertised positions
• Partnering with Aboriginal employment service providers when recruiting, including the Wirrpanda Foundation, Noongar Chamber of Commerce, and local TAFE Aboriginal pathways programs
• Providing apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities specifically accessible to Aboriginal candidates
• Ensuring our workplace is culturally safe and inclusive
• Collecting and reporting workforce data on Aboriginal employment where required by clients

Employment Targets

For projects requiring client-side Aboriginal employment targets — common in Fortescue, BHP, Rio Tinto, and Tier 1 contractor supply chains — Elite Engineering WA will:

• Endeavour to meet the project-specific Aboriginal employment percentage target set by the principal contractor
• Work toward targets in line with typical WA mining sector requirements (3%–20% of project labour hours depending on client and project location)
• Support Fortescue's group target of 12% Aboriginal employment across its supplier network

4. Aboriginal Business Procurement

Elite Engineering WA will:

• Actively seek quotes and tenders from Aboriginal-owned businesses for goods and services we procure
• Give preference to Aboriginal businesses where price and quality are comparable
• Register on Supply Nation's Indigenous Business Direct database to access verified Aboriginal suppliers
• Report Aboriginal business procurement spend when required by principal contractors

Where We Source Aboriginal Suppliers in WA

• Supply Nation — Australia's largest directory of verified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses (supplynation.org.au)
• Noongar Chamber of Commerce and Industry — WA Aboriginal business network
• ICN Gateway — marks Aboriginal businesses in the WA supplier database
• Fortescue Supplier Portal — flags Fortescue-preferred Aboriginal suppliers

5. Cultural Awareness and Training

Elite Engineering WA is committed to ensuring all staff undertake cultural awareness training. This includes:

• Online cultural awareness training for all employees (introductory level minimum)
• Site-specific cultural awareness requirements for project sites in or near remote Aboriginal communities
• Recognition of significant dates: NAIDOC Week (first week of July), National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June), and Closing the Gap commitments
• A culturally inclusive workplace where Aboriginal cultural practices, sorry business, and community obligations are respected in leave and rostering arrangements

Training Providers (WA)

• Reconciliation Australia — free e-learning modules (reconciliation.org.au)
• Wirrpanda Foundation — workplace cultural awareness programs (wirrpanda.org.au)
• Noongar Dandjoo — cultural immersion and awareness programs

6. Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)

A Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is a formal, structured commitment to reconciliation developed in partnership with Reconciliation Australia. It sets out specific, measurable actions a business will take to advance reconciliation through three pillars: Relationships, Respect, and Opportunities.

A RAP is increasingly required — or strongly preferred — by major resource companies (Fortescue, BHP, Rio Tinto, Woodside) and Tier 1 contractors as part of supplier pre-qualification.

RAP Levels

How to Register for a RAP

1. Visit reconciliation.org.au/reconciliation-action-plans
2. Submit an expression of interest
3. Reconciliation Australia assigns an advisor
4. Draft RAP developed with their template and guidance
5. Endorsed and published on Reconciliation Australia's website (public commitment)
6. Cost: free for small businesses (Reflect RAP)

7. Client-Specific Requirements

Fortescue (FMG) Supplier Requirements

Fortescue has one of the most advanced Aboriginal engagement supplier programs in Australia. As a Fortescue supplier or sub-supplier, Elite Engineering WA may be required to:

• Demonstrate an active Aboriginal engagement policy
• Provide evidence of Aboriginal employment or commitment targets
• Report Aboriginal business spend quarterly
• Be registered on the Fortescue Supplier Portal with Aboriginal engagement documentation uploaded
• Complete Fortescue's online Aboriginal Cultural Awareness module (mandatory for site access)
• Meet the Indigenous Procurement Policy (IPP) requirements for Commonwealth-funded contracts

Fortescue's supply chain program requires suppliers to demonstrate Aboriginal economic participation. Tier 1 contractors including Monadelphous, Civmec, and Decmil pass these requirements through their supply chains.

BHP, Rio Tinto, and Woodside

These companies have similar requirements. All require a written Aboriginal engagement policy as a minimum. A RAP is preferred for ongoing supplier relationships.

8. Reporting and Accountability

Elite Engineering WA commits to:

• Reviewing this policy annually (minimum) and updating as required
• Designating a responsible person at Director level for Aboriginal engagement coordination
• Recording and reporting Aboriginal employment and procurement data when required by clients
• Participating in client-required Aboriginal engagement reporting frameworks