Co-design and Innovation with First Nations Communities
Tuesday 21 October & Tuesday 4 November 2025
Join Jade Brook and Chris Vanstone to explore practical approaches of engaging in co-design with First Nations Communities and Peoples.
The workshop is informed by Jade's experience of engaging Aboriginal community in the design of healthcare spaces, and TACSI’s experience of co-design and innovation with First Nations groups including the development of services, policy, governance models and community strategies.
This workshop will be helpful for those wanting to strengthen their co-design practice within a First Nations context and for learners 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.
This workshop was originally developed with Aunty Vickey Charles. Aunty in Residence, always.
Pre-session reading and reflective activity
Three hour workshop + one hour follow up facilitated by Jade Brook 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
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
Four hours total
Time & Duration:
Workshop - Tuesday 21 October 2025, 12.30 - 4.30pm AEST (3 hours)
Follow up - Tuesday 4 November 2025, 12.30 - 1.30pm AEST (1 hour)
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:
Limited free places are available for First Nations people, people with lived experience, young people (18-24) and low-income earners. Visit Scholarships for details including how to apply.
Reviews of previous version of this workshop hosted by Aunty Vickey Charles and Chris Vanstone
“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. 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.”
“Great facilitation and frameworks alongside visuals very informative and inspiring a lot of reflection.”
“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.”
“[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).”
“[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.”
“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.”
Two day course with Carla Clarence and Lived Expertise Associates. Various dates. Price inclusive GST.
$2,145
A tool for weaving cultural considerations throughout your work.
Free
Prompts to help you find creative strategies for allyship in your work and organisation.
Free
Yes, we offer limited free places for First Nations people, people with lived experience, young people (18-24) and low-income earners. Visit Scholarships for details including how to apply.
Yes, you will be presented with a certificate on completing the course.
Absolutely. Creating the conditions for innovation and change 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. Visit our Team Training for tailored learning options or contact our Learning Coordinator, at [email protected] about group booking options.
Yes, you can email us at [email protected] to request an invoice.
When you purchase via our secure online platform a tax invoice will be sent to your email address.
You will have lifelong access to the course materials.
Courses are non-refundable. If you are not able to make a course, 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 course. At any point before the start date you can transfer your place to a colleague at no additional cost. Contact our Learning Coordinator, via email at [email protected] if you have any questions.
You can email our Learning Coordinator at [email protected]