Building culturally safe, inclusive and respectful learning environments is an important part of supporting children and young people to thrive.

The Victorian Department of Education is inviting all education staff, including early childhood staff, as well as Catholic and Independent education sector staff, to participate in the recently released Bringing Change Together: First Nations Learning Suite.

The suite supports the vision of Marrung 2026-2036: First Nations education strategy by building the capability of schools to implement

• the Preventing and Addressing Racism in Schools policy 
• Child Safe Standard 1, which requires schools to ensure First Nations children and young people feel safe, respected and valued 
• Child Safe Standard 5, which focuses on creating environments where all children and young people feel welcome, and their backgrounds, characteristics and beliefs are celebrated. 

Professional learning that supports your registration and practice

This professional learning can count towards the 20 hours of professional learning required to maintain VIT registration. It provides practical, evidence-based strategies to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners and may be particularly valuable for provisionally registered teachers (PRTs) looking to embed these approaches in their everyday teaching practice.

Module topics 

The professional learning modules were co-designed with First Nations community, including the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Incorporated. The modules address themes identified through the Strengthening Aboriginal Self-Determination in Education (Campfire Conversations) report.

Below are the seven module topics now available

• Framing and embedding culture in content
  • Strengthen knowledge and understanding of how to frame and embed First Nations cultures respectfully within curriculum 
• Reviewing and selecting appropriate resources
  • Learn strategies for reviewing and selecting resources that prioritise First Nations authorship and are culturally relevant and accurate
• Culturally safe and inclusive language
  • Build confidence to use culturally safe language that recognises diversity of identity and avoids bias or deficit framing
• Possum skin statements
  • Learn how the Possum skin statements can guide your practice in centering the voice of young people, reflecting on culture and supporting self-determination
• Culturally safe relationships and communication
  • Develop strategies for building culturally safe and reciprocal relationships through respectful communication and understanding of cultural values
• Stakeholder engagement
  • Learn approaches for engaging respectfully with First Nations stakeholders by understanding appropriate protocols, preparation, timing and authentic relationship-building
• Strengthening self-determination in education reform and FISO 2
  • Strengthen understanding of the SDER Report and explore how to embed its principles through the FISO 2.0 Improvement Cycle.

Module details 

Dates: modules are available across a range of dates in 2026 and 2027. 
Delivery time: 3:45 pm – 4:45pm, but times may vary
Delivery mode: facilitated online Webex events
Cost: free

Participants can choose which module topics to register for and in what order.

Participants will receive a Certificate of Participation on completion of each module.  

More information 

The Department of Education’s Policy and Advisory Library includes related policy information, guidance and resources under the relevant menu tabs: 

• Koorie Education 
• Preventing and Addressing Racism in Schools 
• Equal Opportunity and Human Rights – Students 
• Child Safe Standards

Find out more 

For further enquiries or assistance with registration, please contact the Koorie Outcomes Division by email: [email protected]

• upcoming professional learning events
• Murrung 2026 – 2036: First Nations education strategy