The Aboriginal Emerging Leaders Program (AELP) is for new and emerging Aboriginal leaders, recognising that Aboriginal leadership is shaped by culture, identity, relationships, community responsibilities, lived experience and professional knowledge.
The program aims to provide a culturally safe and supportive environment where participants can explore leadership through both contemporary and cultural lenses.
Participants can reflect on their leadership strengths, build confidence, develop practical skills and form connections with a supportive network of Aboriginal colleagues from across the South Australian public sector.
The South Australian Leadership Academy (SALA) is proud to offer the three-day (2+1 format) Aboriginal Emerging Leaders Program in partnership with Family and Child Consultants.
With content co-designed, delivered and overseen by the 100% Aboriginal owned and operated, Healthy Dreaming Hub, the Aboriginal Emerging Leaders Program is a culturally grounded, strengths-based leadership program for new and emerging Aboriginal leaders across the South Australian public sector.
In an exciting addition to the program, an optional certification pathway into the nationally recognised BSB40520 Certificate IV in Leadership and Management will be offered.
Through Aboriginal-led facilitation, yarning, practical activities, public sector scenarios and peer learning, participants will explore four connected areas.
- Know Self: leadership identity, strengths, values and confidence
- Stand Strong in Culture: culture, kinship, resilience, wellbeing and cultural load
- Lead with Influence: communication, emotional intelligence, credibility and workplace influence
- Step Forward: career planning, mentoring, networks and leadership action.
What participants can expect
The program will be interactive, practical and reflective. Participants can expect:
- Aboriginal-led facilitation and culturally informed learning
- yarning, storytelling and group discussion
- strengths-based reflection and leadership activities
- practical leadership tools that can be applied in the workplace
- real-world South Australian public sector examples and scenarios
- peer learning and cross-agency networking
- opportunities to consider career goals and future pathways
- development of an individual leadership action plan.
Managers of Aboriginal Emerging Leaders Program participants will be required to attend the culturally specific Managers of Aboriginal Employees Training, where they will develop culturally responsive practices to effectively support their employees and contribute to the achievement of program outcomes.
Participating manager name/s and contact email/s will be requested on the Aboriginal Emerging Leaders Program registration form. Managers will then be emailed with details of training sessions, including date options, to register their attendance.
Two initial cohorts will be delivered in February and May 2027. Additional cohorts may be delivered based on demand. Participants are expected to attend all three days of their cohort.
Intake one - February 2027
- Thursday 4 - Friday 5 February 2027
- Wednesday 24 February 2027
Intake two - May 2027
- Wednesday 5 - Thursday 6 May 2027
- Thursday 27 May 2027
The program will be delivered on site at the Living Kaurna Cultural Centre, Warriparinga Drive (off Sturt Road) Bedford Park.
Culturally connected catering will be provided on each program day. Dietary and accessibility requirements can be provided during the registration.
The total investment for the Aboriginal Emerging Leaders Program (AELP) is $1,950 (+ GST).
This includes:
- participation in all program modules and sessions (three days total)
- access to culturally relevant learning materials and resources
- support from Aboriginal facilitators, mentors and program coordinators
- catering and venue costs
- ongoing connection through alumni events and networking opportunities.
Optional certification pathway
When enrolling in the AELP, participants may also select an optional certification pathway leading toward the nationally recognised BSB40520 Certificate IV in Leadership and Management.
The total cost for the certificate option is $4,200 (+GST) (includes Aboriginal Emerging Leaders Program participation plus additional certification requirements including eight 1:1 mentoring sessions).
The certification pathway is separate from the core Aboriginal Emerging Leaders Program, and only participants who select the certification option will be enrolled and charged.
The pathway recognises learning from the Aboriginal Emerging Leaders Program together with participants' existing workplace and leadership experience.
Participants who successfully complete the Aboriginal Emerging Leaders Program by participating in the additional eight one-on-one sessions, can demonstrate all required competencies, and complete the assessment requirements, will achieve the certification.
The Aboriginal Emerging Leaders Program is open to Aboriginal employees in the South Australian public sector who are ready to invest in their career and grow as confident, culturally grounded leaders.
Open to employees across all levels, the program seeks to build leadership capability and make a positive impact in their workplace and community.
Eligibility criteria
Participants must:
- be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent
- identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
- be accepted as such by the community in which they live or have lived
- be ready to build leadership capability in a culturally safe environment.
Express your interest in a future intake
If you're interested in attending a future intake, we encourage you to:
- speak with your direct line manager
- connect with your HR, organisational development, or learning and development team
- explore how this program aligns with your career goals and development plan.
Note: This program is currently available to Aboriginal employees in the South Australian public sector only.
Registration for the February 2027 and May 2027 intakes are now open.
Register for February or May 2027
Frequently asked questions
View the Leadership Development Programs Frequently Asked Questions.
We understand that circumstances can change. Below are the cancellation terms for the Aboriginal Emerging Leaders Program – Intake one (February 2027):
| Notice period | Cancellation terms | Key dates |
|---|---|---|
| More than 30 working days | No charge / full refund | Before 24 December 2026 |
| 15-30 working days | 50% charge | Between 25 December 2026 - 14 January 2027 |
| 0-14 working days | 100% charge (no refund) | 15 January 2027 |
Aboriginal Emerging Leaders Program – Intake two (May 2027):
| Notice period | Cancellation terms | Key dates |
|---|---|---|
| More than 30 working days | No charge / full refund | Before 23 March 2027 |
| 15-30 working days | 50% charge | Between 24 March 2027 - 14 April 2027 |
| 0-14 working days | 100% charge (no refund) | 21 April 2027 |
Please note: All cancellation terms are based on working days, not calendar days.
View the Event Cancellation Policy
If you have questions about the Aboriginal Emerging Leaders Program or enquiries about your current registration, enrolment status or invoicing, please contact the Family Child Consultants team:
- Email: aelp@familyandchildconsultants.com
- Phone: 08 7134 3029
Graduates of the Aboriginal Emerging Leaders Program become part of the South Australian Leadership Academy’s Alumni Network, where they may be invited to:
- engage in peer learning opportunities
- attend exclusive leadership events and networking forums
This ongoing connection supports continued growth, collaboration, and impact across the South Australian public sector.
To continue receiving updates, please ensure your contact details are kept up to date, especially when moving across government departments.
For more information, visit our Alumni Workshops and Events page.
Terminology
For this page, the term ‘Aboriginal’ includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in South Australia.
It is used for simplicity and is not intended to exclude Torres Strait Islander people or people who identify as both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.