Aboriginal Empowerment Unit

A team dedicated to empowering Aboriginal peoples on matters affecting their Country has been established within the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS). 

The Aboriginal Empowerment Unit (AEU) coordinates and delivers the department’s Aboriginal Empowerment Initiative (AEI).

The AEI is our department’s response to the WA Government’s Aboriginal Empowerment Strategy 2021–2029, which outlines how government will direct its efforts towards a future in which all Aboriginal peoples, families and communities are empowered to live good lives and choose their own futures from a secure foundation.

The AEI is an opportunity to take further steps to ensure resource development also delivers improved outcomes for Aboriginal peoples, which is why the unit is based within the department’s Resource and Environmental Regulation Group.

The unit will support Aboriginal peoples and businesses in understanding governmental systems and the resources industry, while also guiding department staff on effective ways to engage with the Aboriginal communities they interact with. Government policies and procedures are also being assessed to ensure they are culturally appropriate.

Regional Aboriginal Engagement team members are based in DEMIRS locations across WA. Officers are available in the South West, Goldfields, Mid West and Pilbara regions to meet, listen, provide information and collect feedback.

For more information, visit the Aboriginal Empowerment Unit page.