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What does reconciliation mean?
For us, reconciliation means working together with First Nations people to help remove the barriers many face as they save for retirement.
We believe in an equal and inclusive community. One where all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can retire well with confidence.
Why it's important
As a fund for all Australians, we aim to guide our members to and through retirement. But we accept that some First Nations people don't have equal footing in Australia's super system.
We’re working with the super industry and leading organisations like First Nations Foundation to help improve access to the super system. And to help more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members feel confident about their financial futures.
Financial confidence
Our research shows that First Nations members have strong overall financial wellbeing. But they’re less confident in managing their money compared with ART members in total.
Less income
The research also shows First Nations members are much more likely to be lower income earners compared with ART members in total. This can affect how much they have in super when they retire.
52%
earn under $70,000
77%
unsure they’ll have enough saved by retirement
73%
are impacted by money worries every day
Source: Survey of 188 Australian Retirement Trust (ART) members who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples. Carried out by IPSOS on behalf of ART, September to November 2023.
How we're working towards reconciliation
We’ve developed a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) to guide us as we seek to make meaningful changes within our fund and beyond.
So, what is a Reconciliation Action Plan?
A RAP shows how we'll work to strengthen relationships, respect, and opportunities with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Our first RAP
With our Reflect RAP, we've mapped out actions we can take that will make a measurable difference for First Nations people.
- Our RAP is getting us ready to weave reconciliation into the way we operate.
- We're learning more about First Nations cultures, histories and needs.
- We're working to improve fairness and equality within the superannuation sector.
What type of RAP do we have?
Reflect
We have a Reflect RAP. It's the first of 4 stages in Reconciliation Australia's RAP Framework. While we're built on a combined history of 140 years from the merger of Sunsuper and QSuper, as a fund we’re only a few years old.
So, our Reflect RAP is the next step in our combined reconciliation journey.
Innovate
Stretch
Elevate
Our First Nations partnerships
Visits to remote communities
Dealing with super funds and finance systems can be confusing. It's even harder when living in remote areas.
We visit remote and regional communities in Australia to help First Nations members in person.
Some of the challenges they face include:
Proof of identity
Using the services of super funds
Getting early access to super
- Skills and knowledge of finance
- Finding and combining super accounts
- Sorting out accounts for family members who have died
How it helps
By listening to people's stories and better understanding their needs, we've found ways to solve problems that had stopped members accessing their super.
We've helped more than 900 members and other residents in remote communities find more than $10.5 million in super.
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Support for First Nations businesses
We're a proud member of Supply Nation, an organisation that supports Indigenous businesses.
Our membership helps us connect with First Nations businesses to grow the diversity of our suppliers. This helps to create a more inclusive economy.
Lending our investment knowledge
We're also a member of Responsible Investment Association of Australasia's (RIAA) First Nations Peoples’ Rights Working Group.
As part of the group, we've contributed to the investor content of the Dhawura Ngilan Business & Investor Initiative's guides. It's designed to support businesses and investors to protect Indigenous cultural heritage and respect First Nations peoples' rights.
Useful forms and information
Proof of identity for First Nations members
Sometimes it's difficult for First Nations members to prove their identity (ID). So, we've created another way to prove ID.
Use our referee form if you don't have the forms of ID that we need, like a driver's licence.
Our articles, tools and podcasts help you plan for your future.
Your membership with us includes personal financial advice about your accounts.
Learn about money and access financial counselling services.
Choose from free and low-cost financial programs and resources.
It's easy to check if you have lost or unclaimed super in Member Online.
Our RAP artwork: Mirndin-Gun-Yas
Mirndin-Gun-Yas (Our Pathway) is the story of Australian Retirement Trust forming from 2 super funds. The artwork shows our fund connecting with members from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities far and wide.
It also captures the spirit of our fund and its mission to create true reconciliation and better outcomes for all Indigenous Australians.
Bunya Designs' Leah Cummins created the artwork for our RAP.
Leah is a proud Mayi woman from North-Western Queensland.
