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About Us
Our vision for reconciliation
AIMWA is deeply committed to seeing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples excel in organisations across Western Australia and beyond. By working with others and leveraging our strengths as a leader in professional learning in our region, we will advocate for change and support First Nations peoples to access opportunity, strengthen leadership capability and improve employment outcomes.
Through initiatives like the Beediyar program, the Institute supports First Nations professionals to develop their careers, grow their businesses, and reach their full potential in boardrooms and senior leadership positions across all sectors.
Reconciliation Action Plan
The Institute’s board and senior leadership team are committed to supporting the national reconciliation movement and formalising AIMWA’s commitment to advancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and reconciliation in Australia.
AIMWA has completed its initial Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and is currently developing its Innovate RAP.
Our activities
Katitjin Centre
AIMWA is situated in Floreat, on Whadjuk-Nyoongar Boodja. Completed in 2011, the Institute’s newest building is named the Katitjin Centre and draws on Nyoongar language, meaning “place of learning”. The building was awarded a 6 Star Green Star certificate, the highest green star rating possible. It contains nine leading-edge training rooms, multiple syndicate rooms, lounge and breakout areas, networking and meeting facilities, making it an ideal place to learn.
Art
Two of the buildings on AIMWA’s education campus, the Katitjin Centre and the Management Centre, display Aboriginal art to our employees, visitors and over 15,000 program and event attendees per year.
Beediyar Program
In 2024, AIMWA launched Beediyar, our landmark executive development scholarship program for First Nations leaders. Developed with guidance from a committee of First Nations Elders and leaders and with the ongoing support of a steering group and Elder ambassadors, Beediyar aims to fast-track the careers of First Nations professionals into executive roles, developing a growing network of directors and senior executives from across all sectors in Western Australia.
A ‘for-purpose’ organisation and education charity, AIMWA has invested significantly in Beediyar and provides this scholarship program with the support of program sponsors. Engaging with Beediyar supports sponsoring organisations and the workplaces of scholarship recipients to advance their organisational cultural responsiveness and reconciliation journeys.
The first group of 20 participants graduated in May 2025. Now in its second year, Beediyar 2026 has 22 students who are mid-way through the year-long program. We are currently planning for Beediyar 2027.
Beediyar graduates continue their learning with AIMWA and stay connected with us and each other through the formation of the Beediyar Alumni. We look forward to seeing this network of skilled First Nations senior executives, leaders and change makers continue to grow over the coming years. We are proud work alongside Beediyar sponsors, participants and supporting stakeholders towards the vision of a future for Western Australia where First Nations leadership truly thrives.
Public and Customised Courses
For many years, AIMWA has delivered shorter, public and customised courses to develop First Nations leadership, build respectful partnerships and increase cultural awareness in organisations. These continue for clients in both the public and private sectors and across many industries.
Scholarships and training grants
AIMWA offers annual scholarships to six First Nations professionals to attend AIMWA training courses over the course of the year. The value of this scholarship is $4000 each. In addition, each scholarship recipient receives 12 months Professional Membership of AIMWA to support their learning and career journey.
Additionally, as part of our annual community investment to organisations in the not-for-profit space, we awarded training grants of $3,000 per grant to eight First Nations not-for-profit organisations this year.
Welcome to Country
AIMWA performs an Acknowledgement of Country at the commencement of every event and program held on its premises. At significant events, such as the AIMWA Pinnacle Awards, a Welcome to Country is performed by an Elder from the Nyoongar community.