A leading Aboriginal public service figure says the APS should make Indigenous employment “core business”.

Former Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies leader Russell Taylor has urged agencies to can inspire Indigenous people in the public service and encourage others to join.

“Engagement, through establishing relationships built on trust and shared values, and recognition of the strengths Indigenous people bring to the partnership, can facilitate negotiations and the achievement of positive outcomes around more specific objectives concerning policies, programs and projects – including employment,” Mr Taylor said at an event his week.

“The APS has to develop broader and deeper pathways to employment through innovative interventions into and partnerships with communities, high schools and universities to facilitate and promote Indigenous employment opportunities.

“In addition, the APS must be prepared to better engage with those Indigenous Australians already in the workforce and must be prepared to develop incentives, both financial and non-financial, to support such approaches.”

Indigenous staff make up 3 per cent of the total population, but just 2.4 per cent of the public sector. 

Mr Taylor said Indigenous APS workers had reported concerns they were being undervalued as employees, experiencing racism and lack of opportunity. 

“To exacerbate this challenge there is a serious lack of Indigenous numbers in the senior and the senior executive ranks of the APS,” Mr Taylor said.

“These gaps need to be addressed as a matter of priority for a number of reasons including the importance of having visible and accessible senior APS role models.”

Mr Taylor said agencies could create initiatives aimed at retaining and developing the careers of Indigenous staff.