Connellan Airport Upgrades and Accommodation

Indigenous Engagement Strategy Commitments

• Support culturally informed governance through the Anangu Advisory Group. Voyages will strengthen engagement with Anangu Traditional Owners by sharing information, identifying opportunities for collaboration, and ensuring local aspirations are embedded into tourism, employment, and training activities. The Group provides continuous feedback on operational performance and ensures transparency through regular communication with regional Anangu bodies.
• Community investment via the Anangu Communities Foundation. The Foundation will adopt a regional engagement model to raise awareness, support grassroots project development, and expand fundraising efforts. It will work with Anangu organisations to co-design initiatives, strengthen local capacity, and partner with external supporters where needed.
• Committed to achieving a minimum 3% Indigenous procurement target. This will be supported by strong governance, accurate data tracking, and regional engagement strategies that connect local Indigenous businesses with procurement opportunities across their remote sites.
• Provide meaningful employment through the Real Jobs Program. The program will support Anangu participants to transition into long-term employment, using case management, mentoring, language, literacy and numeracy support, and tailored workplace training. Internal staff capability will be strengthened to manage and support Indigenous employees effectively.
• Create local employment pathways through partnerships with Job Network and Community Development Program providers, Voyages will help job seekers from the NPY and Central Australia region build skills, complete site visits and work placements, and access recruitment support to transition into employment at Ayers Rock Resort.
• Committed to education pathways with school-based workplace exposure and experience for primary and secondary students in the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) and Central Australia region. Program design will be refined through education partnerships, with a focus on transitioning students into future training or employment.
• Committed to training pathways through the National Indigenous Training Academy. The Academy offers Certificate III traineeships in hospitality, retail, horticulture and tourism. Participants receive targeted support including mentoring, wellbeing programs, and skill development in language, literacy and numeracy support and digital literacy. A post-training community fosters continued networking and career growth. 
• Support culturally safe wellbeing and professional development. Voyages will implement a comprehensive wellbeing framework at Ayers Rock Resort, including counselling, critical incident response, and wellness programs. It will offer life-long learning and professional development for Indigenous and non-Indigenous staff and build local service partnerships to respond to community needs.

Indigenous Engagement Strategy Outcomes

• In 2019, Voyages exceeded the 10% First Nations employment target during peak construction months, with contractor accommodation works achieving up to 35% Indigenous participation. The Anangu Advisory Group (AAG) was established, and community engagement mechanisms were enhanced to improve Anangu economic participation.
• In 2020, despite significant disruptions caused by COVID-19, Voyages supported several Real Jobs Program (RJP) participants into full-time roles, enhanced support models, and developed online training solutions for the Certificate I in Hospitality. The National Indigenous Training Academy (NITA) celebrated its 500th graduate and supported 51 trainees on-site.
• In 2021, the First Nations workforce reached 292, including 253 staff based at the Resort. Indigenous procurement reached 4.2%, and four Anangu led community projects were funded. Voyages formalised its participation in the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Empowered Communities initiative, strengthening regional partnerships and employment pathways.
• In 2022, First Nations employment totalled 257, with the highest ever Anangu representation in leadership roles. Indigenous procurement rose to 5.4% ($3.4m). The Wintjiri Wiru Uluru drone show was developed through best practice cultural consultation and is expected to deliver $1.8m back to community over four years. 
• In 2023, Voyages maintained 257 Indigenous staff, including nine RJP participants and 75 active NITA trainees. A record 15 of 17 graduating trainees transitioned into full-time employment. The Cultural Authority Group continued to guide cultural initiatives, and First Nations procurement remained at 5.4%, exceeding the 3% target. 
• In 2024, First Nations employment at the project reached 26.4%, with 11% identifying as Anangu. First Nations procurement reached 6.5%, including both Voyages certified and Supply Nation certified suppliers. The AAG resumed regular meetings, and 40% of the Indigenous Engagement team were Anangu. The RJP continued to support Anangu transitions into skilled roles, offering wraparound case management and alignment to nationally recognised qualifications, with participants involved in land management, cultural tourism, and training streams such as NITA’s hospitality programs.
• In 2025, Voyages aims to further strengthen First Nations procurement, improve Anangu representation across all employment levels, and expand culturally responsive wellbeing frameworks, community engagement models, and employment pathways throughout the NPY and Central Australia regions.