Who should take this course?

This course is designed for government project teams, built environment professionals (planners, designers, architects, landscape architects, infrastructure teams), project managers, and engagement consultants working on NSW projects.

How long is the course?

The course is self-paced and modular, designed to be completed flexibly around work commitments. Most participants complete it within 4-6 hours of learning time, spread across multiple sessions. You have 12 months of access.

Is this aligned with Better Placed?

Absolutely. The course content is specifically designed to support implementation of the NSW Government's Better Placed policy and Connecting with Country framework.

Course Overview

Country-centred Practice for NSW Built Environment Teams

A self-paced course for NSW built environment teams to connect with Country, engage respectfully with Traditional Custodians, protect ICIP, and bring genuine cultural understanding into every stage of planning, design and delivery.

12 Months

Access Period

4 Modules

Structured Pathway

Self-Paced

Learn Anytime

Content developed in direct consultation with Traditional Custodians — shaped by lived experience and genuine cultural authority, not policy alone.

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4-Phase Learning Journey

How the Course is Structured

A structured pathway from Country and cultural protocols through to culturally safe engagement, ICIP-aware practice, and practical delivery aligned with Better Placed and Connecting with Country.

Phase 01

Understand

Country and cultural protocols

Build shared understanding of Country as a living cultural system and the protocols that guide respectful practice in NSW projects.

CountryCultural protocols

Phase 02

Engage

Respectful engagement and community involvement

Learn culturally safe engagement with Traditional Custodians, including how to determine appropriate levels of community involvement.

Traditional CustodiansInvolvement spectrum

Phase 03

Integrate

Policy to delivery decisions

Translate Better Placed and Connecting with Country into planning, design and delivery decisions across the project lifecycle.

Better PlacedConnecting with Country

Phase 04

Sustain

ICIP and long-term stewardship

Embed ICIP-aware practice and long-term stewardship so Country-led commitments continue beyond project completion.

ICIPStewardship

Course Lessons Overview

15 lessons designed for NSW built environment teams, aligned with Better Placed and Connecting with Country.

1Introduction to Indigenous land and life connections

2The significance of Country in Indigenous culture

3Understanding both the Physical and Spiritual connections to Country for Indigenous peoples

4Introduction to Welcome and Acknowledgement of Country

5Understanding the Better Placed Framework

6Understanding the role of Elders in Indigenous design

7Cultural safety and Indigenous intellectual property

8Building relationships with Indigenous communities

9Determining community involvement levels

10Adopting a Country centred approach

11Practices for enabling a new approach

12Implementing the framework through action

13Design considerations and case studies

14Outcomes for Country and community

15Key outcomes of the framework

What You'll Achieve

Overall Learning Outcomes

A concise summary of what your team can apply in NSW projects after completing the course.

Knowledge & Understanding

Understand Country as a living cultural system and the protocols that guide respectful practice.
Understand Better Placed, Connecting with Country, and how to embed ICIP protections into project practice.

Skills & Capabilities

Conduct culturally safe engagement with Traditional Custodians and communities.
Determine appropriate levels of community involvement and apply co-design principles.

Application & Practice

Embed Country-centred thinking into planning, design and delivery decisions across the full project lifecycle.
Apply Country-centred thinking to procurement, site practices and delivery considerations.

Reflection & Growth

Use reflection and feedback to strengthen practice over time and avoid tokenistic approaches.
Support reporting of outcomes for Country and community (where appropriate).

Certificate of Completion

Receive a completion certificate to support internal reporting and CPD records (where applicable).

Course Features

What's Included in Your Access

Practical learning materials designed for NSW built environment teams to apply in real projects.

Lesson Content

Structured lessons covering Country connection, cultural protocols, engagement, ICIP, and policy-to-practice.

Case Studies and Examples

Realistic NSW project scenarios that demonstrate Country-centred decision-making.

Downloadable Resources

Templates, checklists, and guidance notes to support culturally safe practice and delivery.

Reflection Activities

Short prompts to help teams apply learning to their project context and improve practice over time.

Team Access Options

Flexible access for organisations, with staged onboarding if needed.

12-Month Access (Self-Paced)

Learn at your own pace and revisit key lessons anytime during your access period.

Support: Email support for access issues and course enquiries during your access period.

Ready to build genuine cultural capability in your team?

Interested in this course for your team?Request company pricing — we respond within 1 business day.