Transurban acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present.

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Our vision for reconciliation 

Our vision for reconciliation is one of unity between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians, where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have access to equitable standards of living and social mobility.

For us, this means acknowledging our roads are built, and our operations are conducted, on Country. Our operations present unique opportunities to help create a strong culture of inclusion, respect and proud celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures with our customers, employees and business partners. It also means respecting the land on which we operate, and the voices of our community neighbours.

Understanding our responsibilities

We joined the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) program in 2014. Our participation recognises the contributions Australian businesses and employers can make to Australia’s reconciliation journey.

We are an Australian-owned, ASX top-20 company, and an owner and operator of toll roads and infrastructure on lands traditionally owned by Aboriginal people. We are caretakers of the land, waterways and communities where we operate – and we look to demonstrate our understanding of this responsibility through our RAP commitments.

We support the Uluru Statement from the Heart

Transurban supports the Uluru Statement from the Heart as part of our ongoing commitment to reconciliation and looks forward to working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, governments and all of Australia to strengthen our community together.

Acknowledging Country 

Our assets provide unique opportunities to acknowledge, celebrate and respect the continuing connection that First Nations people have to Country. 

Some of our biggest roads, including NorthConnex and WestConnex opened with the KARI Foundation’s KARI Singers performing Acknowledgements of Country, paying respect to the Traditional Custodians of the land where these roads operate. 

The KARI Singers also performed an Acknowledgement of Country to celebrate our Canal to Creek Public Art Program.

We partner with the KARI Foundation to deliver driver training to young First Nations peoples.  

Take a look at our third Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2023-2025
See the progress and highlights in our second Innovate RAP 2020-2022

When we plan a major project, we consider the First Nations culture and history of the Country our roads will be built on – and we look for opportunities to incorporate these into the project’s urban design.

Movement of Shells, Movement of Time 

TheWestConnex M4-M8 Link (Sydney) ventilation outlet has been wrapped in artwork that acknowledges our connection to Country and celebrates culture in bright and beautiful colour.

This nine-metre, 300-panel installation is a collaboration between Aunty Marilyn Russell and her mother, Aunty Esme Timbery. The Bidjigal people and the Timbery family are saltwater people, and the artwork reflects the tradition of shellwork handed down from mothers to daughters, a tradition and story that has connected generations of Aboriginal mothers, sisters and daughters. 

West Gate Tunnel Project urban design and landscaping 

The West Gate Tunnel Project’s (Melbourne) architecture, urban and landscape design celebrate the rich Aboriginal heritage and maritime history of Naarm’s (present-day Melbourne) western suburbs. Abstracted cultural elements will feature across noisewalls, tunnel portals, bridges, ventilation stacks and new open spaces, connecting these features with local and regional culture.

Connected journeys 

A Kamilaroi artist, Rhonda Sampson, created the commissioned artwork displayed in our WestConnex Motorway Control Centre (Sydney). This centre monitors the WestConnex network, and operates 24/7, seven days a week. 

Connected Journeys is a visual representation of how journeys on the motorways keep people connected to country, the ocean and each other. The artwork has been installed on two walls within the centre, with each wall acknowledging the Country the motorway operates on, and how it brings together all the parts of Sydney. 

Recognising that we cannot achieve our vision without a truly representative workforce that includes more First Nations peoples, we have created a First Nations Employment Strategy that focuses on increasing the representation of First Nations employees across our Australian workforce. The strategy covers:

Creating employment opportunities

  • First Nations recruitment

    Our vision for reconciliation is one where we walk alongside First Nations peoples to achieve equitable access to social mobility, employment and business opportunities. Our people policies and programs are tailored to drive an inclusive and equitable environment for all our employees, including First Nations employees.

    We support our people to increase their cultural understanding and join us on the path we’re walking with our First Nations employees, partners and communities. We also provide a tailored recruitment process for applicants who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
    Learn about our First Nations employment approach and recruitment process

  • Social procurement targets and spend

    Through our major construction projects more than $136 million has been spent with First Nations businesses, meeting project targets that help First Nations businesses grow and also create jobs for First Nations peoples.

    In 2024, we also introduced a program to pay our social enterprise and First Nations suppliers within 14 days of invoicing, halving the payment time of our standard terms for small businesses. This change will help reduce barriers for these businesses, supporting the progress of reconciliation.

  • Partnering with suppliers to create jobs

    Our largest NSW maintenance supplier, Ventia, delivers landscaping works on our Sydney roads.  In the past two years, four First Nations people have taken up landscaping apprenticeships with Ventia, employed through a partnership between Transurban, Ventia and Muru Mittigar.

    Muru Mittigar is a Dharug-led social enterprise that connects First Nations peoples with jobs and provides culturally appropriate support for participants as they build financial independence and progress in their new careers.

    As well as the apprenticeships, Muru Mittigar has established a grounds maintenance team on our Westlink M7, creating ongoing employment for four more young First Nations people.

First Nations Driver Programs

  • KARI Transurban Aboriginal Driving School

    This program helps young, disadvantaged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people gain their driver licence. Based in Westen Sydney and delivered by the KARI Foundation, program participants can access a vehicle, free professional driving lessons and mentor support. As well as donating a vehicle to the program, we also supported the creation of a driver learning preparation video program, with TAFE NSW.

  • Transurban ARTIE #1 Driving School

    This school helps remove barriers some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students face when learning to drive – such as a safe vehicle and trained. It provides more than 900 driving hours per year across nine South East Queensland schools, and is delivered by the ARTIE Academy in partnership with Transurban. The ARTIE Driver Licensing program is funded by the Queensland Government and supported by RACQ.

STEM education opportunities

  • Paiabun Kurumba STEM Scholarship Program

    This program provides First Nations STEM students with financial support to help remove barriers to completing high school. It also gives participants unique engineering and technology work experience and mentoring opportunities, including at Transurban. 

    Paiabun Kurumba means ‘dream big’ in the local Yuggera language. The program is delivered by the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation in partnership with Transurban.

  • STEAM Youth Development Camps

    These three-day camps help foster student interest in STEAM subjects and careers. Held at the Royal National Park, camps are open to First Nations students from Sydney schools. Camp attendees connect with each other while learning about STEAM subjects and their Aboriginal cultural links. Transurban engineers attend to demonstrate practical STEM applications. Supervising teachers also receive 12 hours of NESA accredited professional development training. The program is delivered by the Aboriginal Education Consultative Group and Transurban.