Converge is committed to increasing opportunities for First Nations businesses and sole traders, with the following initiatives already in place or in development:

• To formalise our commitment to First Nations people, Converge has registered an Innovate First Nations People Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) with measurable actions to increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment and purchasing/supply.
• Currently Converge engages 15 First Nations consultants across Australia. A key strategic priority is to identify further opportunities to partner with First Nations providers nationally. 

This will be facilitated through increased partnership and relationships with Aboriginal stakeholders and organisations such as Lowitja Institute, the Indigenous Allied Health Association (IAHA), the Australian Indigenous Psychologists Association (AIPA) and the National Coalition or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Workers Association Inc (NCATSISWA). Our Manager of First Nations Counselling is already involved with these stakeholders and organisations but, as outlined in our Reconciliation Action Plan, we will cross-collaborate with them to onboard First Nations contractors and employees, and extending our resource pool so there is greater representation of First Nations counsellors across all regions. We will also engage with the national peak health body, the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO).

• In line with the RAP, our Social Procurement Policy has measurable objectives to: create opportunities for Indigenous entrepreneurs and businesses within the mental health and wellbeing sector; actively engage with and support Indigenous communities through procurement initiatives; and to provide proactive and culturally sensitive support to First Nations communities and individuals to optimise mental health and wellbeing.
• We utilise the network of our existing Aboriginal employees and contractors to source further potential partnerships, particularly to increase resourcing within our clinical team.