First Nations Cultural Capability Uplift

Acknowledgement

First Nations Cultural Capability Uplift Program acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the First Peoples and Traditional Owners and custodians of the land, skies and waterways upon which our lives depend. We acknowledge and pay our respects to ancestors of this country, Elders, knowledge holders and leaders – past, present, and emerging. We recognise that First Nations peoples frequently experience inadequate interactions with legal practitioners, organisations, and the justice system, and that this lack of culturally appropriate and responsive advocacy and support often translates to poor outcomes. We acknowledge the ongoing leadership of Aboriginal communities and ACCOs in striving to improve justice outcomes and address these perpetual and ongoing inequalities.

The First Nations Cultural Capability Uplift program (FNCCU) is a state-wide training and guidance package designed to build the cultural capability of legal professionals across Victoria. The program, led by VALS, has been developed with key input from the Institute of Victoria (LIV) and Victoria Legal Aid (VLA), along with a range of other experts.

The uplift comprises of:

A Framework for Strengthening First Nations Cultural Capability (hereafter, the Framework)
An overarching Framework that identifies thirteen cultural capability domains, each with identified knowledge to develop, skills to build and supporting attitudes to foster;
Training
Foundational and specialist training for individual legal practitioners focused on understanding and developing these capability domains;
A Better Practice Guide
Provided to participants who have complete the training, this Guide provides practical guidance, tips, tools and resources that individual practitioners can use to support their training ‘back in the office’ and maintain their learning;
Community of Practice monthly sessions
Open to graduates of the Foundational Training and Practice Guidance package to further consolidate learning.

The First Nations Cultural Capability Uplift program was developed for the Victorian legal sector for several reasons:

First Nations peoples in Australia are a sovereign people with unique rights, as recognised in the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. They occupy a unique position accordingly, that is not equivalent to that of other culturally and linguistically diverse groups within Australia.
Victorian and Australian law have been fundamental to the historical colonial oppression and dispossession of First Nations peoples. Notwithstanding the good intentions of many, the legal and justice systems uniquely target First Nations peoples, creating and perpetuating inequities and harm.
Culturally accessible, safe, and responsive legal services play a key role in reducing disadvantage and strengthening the justice equity outcomes experienced by First Nations peoples.
The reality of the legal workforce means that there is a need for good allies. The percentage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander practising solicitors is only 0.8% of the total nationally. Given this many First Nations clients, businesses and organisations will need to be assisted by non-First Nations practitioners and organisations.

Foundational Training and Practice Guidance Package:

This training is the first in the suite of First Nations Cultural Capability Uplift Program. The Foundational Training and Practice Guidance brings to life the FNCCU Framework’s capability domains to support legal practitioners to work in a culturally responsive and empowering way with First Nations clients. Participants will develop or strengthen the knowledge, skills and attitudes they need on their journey of cultural capability.

At its core, this project aims to improve access to culturally safe, responsive, and equitable legal support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Registration includes:

3-hour self-paced eLearn (6 months access once complete)
Full day Training Practice Skills and Guidance (in person)
Welcome to Country
Attendees provided with hard copy and PDF version of Strengthening First Nations Cultural Capability in the Victorian Legal Sector: Better Practice Guide
Certificate and FNCCUP pin badge upon completion of package
Eligible for 9 CPD Points (PS EP)

Both eLearn and Full day training must be complete within timeframe for certificate to be issued.

There are no prerequisites to enrol in the Foundational Training and Practice Guidance Package. However, to attend the in-person session you must first complete the eLearning within the specified timeframe. You will receive the link to start your eLearn 15 business days before your in-person training date; it must be completed to attend the full day in person training as it provides essential foundational knowledge.

Who is the training for?

Legal practitioners working in Victoria. This includes:

Solicitors
Barristers
Legal secretaries
Paralegals
Those working in non-legal support roles

This training is for all legal practitioners listed above; whether you have been in your role for months or years you are invited to participate.

Learning Objectives:

Increased knowledge and understanding about the history of settler colonial impact and the ongoing impact of the legal system.
Increased capability to reflect on your attitudes and positionality in delivering culturally safe and responsive services.
Skill development for culturally safe and responsive practice with First Nations clients.
Increased confidence and motivation to deliver culturally safe and responsive services to First Nations clients.

Would you or your team like to participate?

There are two options for participating in the Foundational Training and Practice Guidance package:

Open registration: Open dates for individuals to sign up to complete the package, alongside a diverse group: First Nations Cultural Capability Uplift Program | Humanitix
In-house offering: Hosting an ‘in-house’ workshop at your organisation or co-host with another (up to 20 participants per package) contact [email protected] for more information

What is the price to participate?

Outlined below is the cost to participate for individuals and organisations, these prices are available for the FY26.

	OPEN REGISTRATION: Individual participation (catered)	IN-HOUSE PACKAGE: Up to 20 participants
Mid-to-large Private Law Firms (Organisations with 15+ employees)	$2,200	$40,000
Legal Aid, other statutory and government bodies	$1,800	$32,000
Boutique Firms and Sole Practitioners (Organisations with 15 or less employees)	$1,400	$24,000
Community Legal Centres	$1,200	$20,000

FNCCU Training Testimonials

“This package of training and guidance is like nothing else you would have encountered in your CPD. Don't mistake it for 'just' cultural awareness training: it is something very different - a bespoke package designed specifically for Victorian legal practitioners that takes you deeply into knowledge about the history of First Nations and settler relations in Australia, the specific ways in which Australian law has been and continues to be central to colonisation and ongoing harms, that asks you to reflect deeply upon settler norms, ideas and practices, and that gives you a whole day of skill building in culturally safe and responsive legal practice with First Nations clients."

“All lawyers know it is crucial to understand their clients’ experiences and needs. The FNCCU program has been tailored specifically for the legal profession to help us address the legal and non-legal needs of First Nations people when we are working with them.  I would love every lawyer in Victoria to undertake this training: the e-learn modules were the most interactive and thought-provoking online training I have every completed, and already the group work is helping me be better in my practice.  Not just cultural awareness training, this is a powerful experience that has made me a better lawyer.”

“The First Nations Cultural Capability Uplift training is unique – designed by legal and training specialists in the legal sector for professionals working in the legal sector. The elearning course supported structured reflection on the ongoing impacts of colonisation, experiences of the legal system and access to justice. The training’s practical focus and supporting materials help to strengthen skills that can be used in day to day work.”

"The First Nations Cultural Capability Uplift training deepened my understanding of the historical relationship between First Nations peoples and the legal system, and the ways in which laws, institutions and legal processes continue to contribute to inequity and harm today. As a lawyer, I found the training both thought-provoking and practical, challenging me to reflect on my own role within systems while providing a stronger foundation for delivering culturally safe, responsive and respectful legal services."

"The VALS First Nations Cultural Capability Uplift training presents a wonderful opportunity for non-legal support staff at community legal services to build towards more inclusive and culturally competent practice. The training uses real-world examples to assist learners to understand both the historical and modern day context that impacts our First Nations clients' access to justice. The comprehensive e-learning raised important considerations which were explored in depth during the face-to-face training by the fantastic team of VALS trainers. The VALS trainers expertly weave together lived experience, legal knowledge and historical information to build the cultural capability of legal sector professionals. As a social worker, undertaking this training has enabled me to work more confidently and competently with First Nations clients in their journey through the justice system. "

"The training is a really good combination of pre-learning in your own time by completing the e-learning and then having the in-person part after that. The e-learning allows to sit in your reaction and thinking about what you learn and the training in a group brings this together with activities, skill building and hearing others from the sector."

Strengthening Practice, Upholding Justice Webinar

This was filmed on June 23, 2025 and explains this landmark initiative to improve the experiences of First Nations people seeking legal advice and representation in Victoria.

Panellists include: 

– Tim Goodwin (Moderator), Barrister 

– Ashley Morris Director of First Nations Services, Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) 

– Adam Awty CEO of the Law Institute of Victoria (LIV) 

– Fiona McLeay Commissioner of the Victorian Legal Services Board (VLSB) 

– Nerita Waight CEO of VALS