Join Aunty in Residence and Cultural Lead, Aunty Vickey Charles, with Chief Innovation Officer Chris Vanstone, to explore practical approaches of engaging in co-design with First Nations Communities and Peoples.

The workshop is based on TACSI’s experience of co-design and innovation with First Nations groups which includes the development of policy, service design, governance design and development of community strategies. 

This course is helpful for people wanting to strengthen their co-design practice within a First Nations context and for those who are newer to a co-design approach.

This workshop does not provide cultural awareness and privilege awareness training. We can recommend First Nations-led organisations who deliver this.

Your facilitators

Aunty Vickey Charles

Aunty in Residence & Cultural Lead, TACSI

Aunty Vickey Charles is an Alawa/Mara woman from the Northern Territory who grew up in Adelaide from the age of 18 months, due to government policy at the time. She has spent her life raising awareness of Aboriginal Australia through her lived experience and work in government and not-for-profit sectors. Aunty Vickey has led TACSI on our cultural learning journey, to become a more culturally competent and culturally safe organisation. Her work includes taking new-starters through a cultural induction, developing the Cultural Canvas that ensures TACSI projects begin grounded in the cultural context, and playing a key role in TACSI developing a Reconciliation Action Plan.

Chris Vanstone

Chief Innovation Officer, TACSI

Chris started his career designing biscuits and razors before transitioning into social innovation over 20 years ago. As TACSI’s CIO, he’s responsible for keeping TACSI at the cutting edge of social innovation, playing a big role in the development of our practice, major initiatives and strategy. Chris’ goal is to democratise social innovation. He’s always striving to get important concepts into the world in ways that are clear.

What you'll receive

  • Pre-session reading and reflective activity

  • Four hour workshop facilitated by Aunty Vickey Charles and Chris Vanstone

  • Opportunities to connect with people exploring co-design in settings across Australia

  • Practical frameworks, processes and practices for co-design with First Nations communities

  • Case studies of successful engagement with First Nations communities

  • Lifelong access to resources and guidance on the TACSI Learning Hub including via the Learning Hub smart phone app

Five skills you’ll learn

  • Reflect on the mindsets and practices for engaging with First Nations people

  • Identify frameworks for embedding cultural considerations into your work

  • Explore frameworks for engagement and co-design processes developed for First Nations communities

  • Practice applying a framework for Allyship in your work

  • Develop a shared understanding and common language to talk about engaging First Nations Peoples

Timing and pricing

Four hour workshop

Time & Duration:
Tuesday 21 October 2025, 12.30 - 4.30pm AEDT

Technology:
Hosted online via Zoom
Learning materials accessible via web browser 

Price: 
To support learners with limited access to professional development funding, we offer two prices for enrolments.

For organisation-funded learners:

This price is for learners with access to organisational funding such as professional development budgets.

AUD $600 per participant inclusive taxes (AUD $545 ex GST in Australia)

For self-funded learners:

This price is to support learners without access to funding from an organisation. 

AUD $400 per participant inclusive taxes (AUD $363 ex GST in Australia)

Receipt:
On purchase you will receive a receipt  by email that will show GST for customers in Australia.

Group booking and paying by invoice:

To make a group booking or pay by invoice, email [email protected] with your details.

This workshop can also be delivered to your organisation, tailored to your needs, at a time that works for your team. Contact [email protected] to find out more.

Scholarships and subsidies:
Limited free places available for First Nations people, people with lived experience, and low-income earners. If you are seeking one of these places, email [email protected] for more information.

Purchase

To support learners with limited access to professional development funding, we offer two prices for enrolments.

  • $600.00

    Organisation-funded learners

    Buy

  • $400.00

    Self-funded learners

    Buy

Course curriculum

  1. Welcome

  2. Many Threads of Allyship

  3. Allyship Stories

  4. Cultural Canvas

  5. An Aboriginal Perspective on Co-Design and Innovation

  6. Principles and Mindsets

About this course

  • $600.00
  • Four hour workshop
  • Online delivery

What learners said

“If you’re considering this course, I can’t recommend it enough. The facilitation style creates a relaxed, engaging space where everyone feels comfortable asking questions and participating. Aunty Vickey’s visual storytelling was incredibly impactful, and the practical insights shared were pure gold. One of my biggest takeaways was learning the importance of asking communities whether they want to engage in a co-design process or prefer to be consulted—an approach that has transformed how I plan my work. This course truly shifts your mindset, grounding you in thoughtful, community-led design.”

Senior Innovation Specialist, The Smith Family

“You can see how authentic and connected both Aunty Vickey and Chris were and this demonstrates co-design and co-creation in practice as they present.”

Participant, 2024

“Great facilitation and frameworks alongside visuals very informative and inspiring a lot of reflection.”

Participant, 2024

“Hearing from Aunty Vickey Charles about her experiences joining the team at TASCI and working with them to update their ways of working was great.”

Participant, 2024

“If you are already looking at student agency to lead your planning, consider this course for down-to-earth practical ways to consider wider community-based social innovation and increasing your impact through co-design.”

Program Manager, The Smith Family, 2024

“[I liked most:] The purposeful yarning accompanied by innovative ideas, visuals and 'real world' resource examples. Opportunity to practice and spend time in a deeper listening space. Doing it with TSF colleagues from around the country! I had many [ah-ha moments]! the importance of visuals, storytelling and helpful pre-planning curious questions to better understand perspective for clarity re assumptions from the start (building with authenticity the right conditions for innovation).”

Program Coordinator, The Smith Family. 2024

“[my ah-ha moment was] realising I could even apply the Stepping Stones to strategic support conversations that I have every day. [as a result of this course, I will] Try and apply a First Nations perspective to more aspects of my job and life generally.”

Family Partnership Coordinator, The Smith Family

“This session was extremely insightful and thought provoking. It was facilitated in a relaxed and conversational way, and I left having had many light bulb moments in relation to my own growth and what we might consider implementing in my immediate team and more broadly in my workplace.”

Program Lead, Systems Navigator. Karitane 2024

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FAQs

  • Are there any scholarships or subsidies?

    Yes, we reserve two free places per network cohort for First Nations applicants, folks with lived expertise, and low-income earners. Contact our Learning Coordinator, ([email protected]), to request your place.

  • Can I register a group?

    Absolutely. Creating the conditions for co-design or co-production is a collective endeavour. Enrolling as an organisation (or group of organisations) will help you build a shared understanding and shared language, while giving you the opportunity to work through challenges specific to your context. Contact our Learning Coordinator, ([email protected]) to talk about your options.

  • How long will I have access?

    You will have lifelong access to the course materials.

  • Will I get a certificate?

    Yes, you will be presented with a certificate on completing the course.

  • What if I realise I can’t attend the course after purchasing it?

    Networks and courses are non-refundable. If you are not able to make a network, and let us know more than 14 days before the start date, we will issue you a credit note (valid for 12 months) for use in a later network or course. At any point before the start date of the network you can transfer your place to a colleague at no additional cost. Contact our Learning Coordinator, via email ([email protected]) if you have any questions.

  • Can I get a tax invoice?

    When you purchase via our secure online platform a tax invoice will be sent to your email address.

  • Who can I talk to about any other questions?

    You can speak with our Learning Coordinator, via email ([email protected])