Overview
The First Peoples mentoring pilot program is designed to build strong, culturally-safe mentoring relationships that support career growth and leadership pathways for First Peoples employees.
Participants will develop practical and effective skills while engaging with key concepts such as cultural safety, deficit discourse, circular leadership, power and privilege, and building trust and confidence in mentoring relationships.
Delivered in partnership with Murri Matters, Victoria Police, and the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industries and Regions, the program includes:
- Structured training: Mentors and mentees will undertake separate, role-specific training, consisting of two one-day sessions
- Resources: All participants will receive a handbook to support goal setting and engagement throughout the mentoring journey
- Check-ins and wrap-around support: Check-ins will be provided by DJSIR, VPSC, and VicPol to ensure participants stay engaged and supported throughout the program. This collaborative approach helps address any challenges early and reinforces a strong network around each mentoring pair
- Feedback and evaluation: Participants will be invited to provide full and frank feedback to support continuous improvement of the program.
Program Objectives
For First Peoples Mentees:
- Receive culturally-safe, one-on-one mentoring tailored to your individual aspirations and development needs
- Clarify, set and progress professional and leadership goals with guidance from experienced First Peoples mentors within the Victorian public sector
- Build confidence, strengthen your leadership identity, and expand professional networks across the public sector
- Gain deeper insight into Victorian Public Sector structures, expectations, roles, and career pathways
- Be supported to navigate workplace challenges, including unconscious bias, discrimination, and cultural load
- Identify opportunities for professional development, secondments, and future leadership roles
- Access a trusted and safe space to discuss cultural, gender-specific, and workplace issues with someone who understands your lived experience.
For First Peoples Mentors:
- Share your knowledge, experience, and leadership to support the growth of emerging First Peoples leaders
- Contribute to strengthening cultural safety and representation across the Victorian public sector
- Gain deeper insight into the contemporary experiences and challenges faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees
- Strengthen your mentoring, coaching, and reflective leadership skills
- Build meaningful connections with other First Peoples public servants and contribute to collective leadership and community.
Program Features
- Two full-day training sessions to prepare mentors and mentees for success
- Culturally-grounded training covering cultural safety, power and privilege, and practical mentoring tools
- 9-month mentoring relationship starting March 2026
- Ongoing support and resources throughout the program.
Key Dates
- EOIs close: Midnight Sunday 15 February 2026
- Training sessions: Tuesday 17 or Wednesday 18 March 2026 & Tuesday 11 or Wednesday 12 August 2026
- Mentoring relationship: March – December 2026
Who Can Apply?
- Mentees: First Peoples employees in the Victorian public sector. Graduate program participants and Victoria Police employees (including sworn officers) are particularly encouraged to apply.
- Mentors: First Peoples leaders in the Victorian public sector, including Barring Djinang Leadership Program participants and alumni. and Victoria Police sworn member leaders.
How to Apply
Speak to your manager about your expression of interest before you submit, as they will need to agree before you can participate. You’ll need to confirm your contact details as well as those of your manager.
Participants will be asked to specify if they want to take part as a mentor, mentee or are willing to be considered for both roles.