Indigenous Participation

We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional owners and custodians of the unceded lands, waterways and places on which we live and work. . Our vision is to create sustainable, vibrant, and inclusive places where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are empowered to thrive. By harnessing our collective strengths, we aim to build a culturally engaged business, foster economic participation through procurement and employment opportunities and contribute meaningfully to the natural and built environment. We aspire to contribute to a just, equitable and reconciled Australia.

We are proud to have been the first engineering firm in Australia to achieve STRETCH RAP status with Reconciliation Australia, the third highest level, and we are equally excited to launch our second STRETCH RAP. Read more about our 2026-2029 RAP commitments and actions here: Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

Our Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)

WSP started our journey in 2010 as one of the first engineering consultancies to develop a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). Over a decade later, our seventh RAP reflects an evolving and enduring commitment to reconciliation. Our focus remains on implementing initiatives that embed reconciliation across our business and workplace culture.

Our RAP provides a clear framework of policies, actions and targets that embed reconciliation into our workplace culture, client and supplier relationships, and employment pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Aligned with WSP’s Guiding Principles, this RAP has been shaped by insights from the Indigenous Advisory Committee and endorsed by our RAP Working Group, with actions grounded in the pillars of Relationships, Respect and Opportunities. This RAP, our second Stretch, seeks to deepen our reconciliation journey and embed reconciliation initiatives into business strategies, so they become ‘business as usual’ practices. As part of our commitment through our RAP, we are keen to involve Indigenous communities in infrastructure, connecting people and stimulating growth for Indigenous businesses.

The digital header above is part of our Stretch RAP 2026-29 artwork, Returning to Mother Country, created by Michael Hromek (Badawang Yuin) Technical Executive – Indigenous (Architecture), Design and Knowledge, WSP.

Building cultural knowledge into infrastructure projects

WSP is leading industry change in Indigenous co design, with a unique opportunity to help shape a built environment that reflects Australia’s First Peoples. Since 2018, our Indigenous Specialist Services group has focused on embedding Indigenous knowledge, culture, and perspectives into major infrastructure and built environment projects. This approach supports strong, culturally respectful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and helps highlight their enduring connection to Country. By integrating Indigenous co design principles into project delivery, WSP is advancing reconciliation across the professional services sector and contributing to truth telling and cultural acknowledgement through the built environment.

This work creates meaningful opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, businesses, and communities across project lifecycles, while encouraging clients to actively engage in reconciliation - particularly through large public infrastructure projects. Our team of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander professionals brings deep cultural and technical expertise across planning, cultural heritage, design, engineering, stakeholder engagement, and digital disciplines. Their contributions strengthen cultural capability within WSP and among our clients, helping embed reconciliation into everyday project delivery and fostering lasting recognition and respect for Indigenous communities and their connection to Country.

Core Principles of the Indigenous Specialist Services group:

1. Indigenous led: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (designers, Elders etc.) should be leading or co-leading the Indigenous elements in the design.
2. Community involvement: Having local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples engaged in the design process is key to success.
3. Appropriate use of Indigenous design: All Indigenous design elements must be approved by relevant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, community and Elders. If approval is not given, the knowledge will not be used in the project.

• How Indigenous co-design is creating a new cultural legacy in Australia

• Reflecting Bidjigal Country at UNSW Alumni Park

• Great Places, For Life – Connecting with Country through Indigenous Design and Research Podcast

• Indigenous design efforts recognised at AILA Landscape Awards

• Working to protect parkland and native animals

• Awakening to the Aboriginal Design Movement

• Building cultural knowledge into infrastructure projects

• Facilitating the successful delivery of people-centred facilities for living and healing on Country

• Perth's Boorloo Bridge (Causeway Pedestrian and Cyclist Bridges project) 

• How the 2032 Olympics can connect to Country

• Learning from Country for a water-resilient future

Find out more about WSP’s Indigenous relations globally.