Introduction to Cultural Protocols
Prepared by Cultural Nexus Indigenous Corporation (CNIC) for Indigenous Job Match (IJM)
At Indigenous Job Match (IJM), we believe employment should never come at the cost of identity, dignity, or cultural safety.
As a 100% Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-owned platform, IJM exists to connect mob with employment opportunities that respect and reflect who we are. But connection alone isn’t enough. Cultural safety must be built into every interaction — from how we speak and recruit, to how we listen and lead.
That’s why we’ve worked alongside Cultural Nexus Indigenous Corporation (CNIC) — our parent organisation and cultural governance body — to develop these Cultural Protocols.
These protocols are more than good manners or legal obligations. They reflect thousands of years of knowledge, sovereignty, and relational practice. They guide how we:
Honour Country and Community
Represent culture, stories, and language responsibly
Protect the rights of mob in the workplace
Ensure culturally safe recruitment and onboarding processes
Respond to Sorry Business, gendered knowledge, and community obligations
Our commitment is simple: no cultural safety, no job match.
We encourage all employers who use IJM to read these protocols with an open heart and a willingness to unlearn. They are here to help you walk respectfully and confidently alongside First Nations people — not just to fill roles, but to build lasting, culturally strong relationships.
If you’re serious about First Nations employment, then cultural protocols aren’t a checkbox — they’re a starting point.
Check them out today and let’s build a future where mob thrive, not just survive.