Female flight attendant assisting passenger

National Reconciliation Week

At Qantas, we strive to reflect the spirit of Australia. That spirit isn’t 200 years old. It’s over 60,000 years old.

It’s an unbelievably vast history of people, culture and knowledge.

Through our commitment to advancing national reconciliation, we seek to honour that knowledge, celebrate those cultures, and make amends for past wrongs.

What is National Reconciliation Week?

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

The dates for NRW remain the same each year: 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum (PDF) and the 1992 High Court Mabo decision (PDF).

A brief history

NRW started as the Week of Prayer for Reconciliation in 1993 (the International Year of the World’s Indigenous Peoples) and was supported by Australia’s major faith communities. In 1996, the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation launched Australia’s first National Reconciliation Week. In 2001, Reconciliation Australia was established to continue to provide national leadership on reconciliation. In the same year, approximately 300,000 people walked across Sydney Harbour Bridge as part of NRW - and subsequently across bridges in cities and towns - to show their support for reconciliation. Today, NRW is celebrated in workplaces, schools and early learning services, community organisations and groups, and by individuals Australia-wide. Hundreds of NRW events are held each year. 

Now more than ever

National Reconciliation Week’s theme for 2024, Now More Than Ever, is a reminder to all of us that no matter what, the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people must continue.

Now more than ever, we need to tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation. We know that the 6.2 million Australians who voted YES are committed to better outcomes for First Nations people, and are with us.

Supporters of reconciliation must stand up to defend and uphold the rights of First Nations peoples. To call out racism wherever we encounter it, and to actively reinforce the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across this continent.

Now more than ever, the work continues. In treaty-making, truth-telling, understanding our history, in education, and in tackling racism. We need a connection. We need respect. We need action. And we need change.  

Now more than ever, we need reconciliation.

Learn more about our approach to reconciliation

Plane flying

The Qantas Group First Nations Strategy

Through our Interim Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), we seek to honour that knowledge, celebrate those cultures, and make amends for past wrongs.

Reconciliation at Qantas
Qantas team

Our reconciliation journey

We have a proud history of championing reconciliation. We launched our first Reconciliation Action Plan in 2007 and we launched an Elevate RAP in 2015.

Download the timeline (PDF)

Important information

Thanks to our friends at Reconciliation Australia for sharing their knowledge and content with us.