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When the AICD highlighted the launch of Reconciliation Australia’s 2024 Workplace RAP Barometer (WRB), the focus was on participation — encouraging organisations to take part so they could better understand the impact of their Reconciliation Action Plan (RAPs) commitments. Two years on, the value of that work is becoming increasingly clear.
The WRB has evolved into one of the most important tools available to organisations seeking to measure how reconciliation is experienced within their workplaces, with over 230 RAP organisations and 33,000 employees participating in 2024. Conducted every two years, the survey captures employee attitudes, behaviours and understanding around reconciliation in organisations with a RAP. It also compares those results against the broader Australian community through the Australian Reconciliation Barometer.
Insights from the 2024 Workplace RAP Barometer
The AICD participated in the 2024 survey as part of its own reconciliation journey. In the 2024 article announcing the survey, previous RAP Program General Manager Peter Morris described the Barometer as a way for organisations to understand “where your RAP is really making a difference”.
The findings released since then reinforce why participation matters.
Data from the 2024 WRB shows employees in RAP organisations consistently demonstrate stronger support for reconciliation and greater understanding of Australia’s shared history than the general population. Ninety-four per cent of employees surveyed in RAP organisations believe the relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians is important for the nation, compared with 85% of the broader community.
Employees in RAP organisations are also more likely to support truth-telling and historical understanding. Eighty-eight per cent believe it is important to undertake truth-telling processes to acknowledge Australia’s shared history.
Importantly, the research suggests these outcomes are not accidental. Participation itself appears to drive engagement. Morris noted in the AICD’s 2024 coverage that “participation drives understanding” and that education and involvement strengthen support for reconciliation across organisations.
That insight is increasingly relevant for boards and executives. RAPs are no longer viewed solely as symbolic commitments or standalone diversity initiatives. They are becoming an important part of organisational culture, governance and accountability frameworks. The WRB gives leaders a way to test whether reconciliation commitments are translating into meaningful workplace outcomes.
The survey also provides organisations with practical benchmarking data. Participants can assess strengths, identify areas requiring greater attention and track progress over time. For many organisations, that evidence base is critical in shaping future RAP priorities and ensuring initiatives remain effective rather than performative.
The broader national context also makes the 2026 WRB especially significant. The latest Barometer findings were the first collected since the 2023 Voice referendum and provide an important snapshot of attitudes towards reconciliation during a period of heightened national reflection.
For organisations considering whether to participate in 2026, the case is compelling. The WRB is an opportunity to listen to employees, measure cultural impact and strengthen accountability around reconciliation commitments.
As organisations continue to navigate increasingly complex expectations around culture, inclusion and social responsibility, robust measurement matters. Participation in the WRB enables organisations not only to demonstrate commitment, but to understand where progress is being made — and where more work remains.
In that sense, the 2026 WRB is not simply about gathering data. It is about helping organisations turn intention into measurable impact.
How to take part in the 2026 Workplace RAP Barometer
Organisations with a RAP can now express interest in participating in the 2026 Workplace RAP Barometer, with expressions of interest closing on 30 June.
The survey will run from Thursday 23 July to Friday 18 September. This is an opportunity to build a stronger evidence base for your RAP and ensure your commitments are translating into meaningful impact.
For more information and to register your organisation head to: 2026 Workplace RAP Barometer (WRB): Expression of Interest (EOI)
RAP Program
Since 2006, RAPs have enabled organisations to sustainably and strategically take meaningful action to advance reconciliation.
If you are new to the RAP program and need more information, submit an expression of interest. Completing an expression of interest provides you information about the purpose of RAPs, details about the development process and helps you decide if a RAP is a good fit for your organisation.
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