Skip to content
Traditions · 1 min read

Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country protocols

A Welcome to Country is a cultural practice performed by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander custodian of the local region, welcoming visitors to their traditional land. This was traditionally performed to ensure visitors had a safe and protected journey during their time on that land.

A Welcome to Country can take place through many forms, including songs, dances, smoking ceremonies or speeches in traditional language or English.

A Welcome to Country is usually the first item of proceedings to open an event. An Acknowledgement of Country is an opportunity to recognise that the gathering is on Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander land; pay respect to Traditional Custodians, particularly Elders past and present; and pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in attendance.

An Acknowledgement of Country is usually delivered as part of the Welcome and Housekeeping at meetings and events. Anyone can deliver an Acknowledgement of Country. At meetings/events, this would generally be done by the Chair or Master of Ceremonies.

These practices are performed to show respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Test yourself on this topic

10 questions on this topic, each with the answer explained.

  1. 1. An Acknowledgement of Country pays respect to Traditional Custodians, and particularly to whom?

    • Visitors from other countries
    • Children born on the land
    • Members of the parliament
    • Elders past and present

    Explanation: Respect is paid to the Elders of the community, both those living now and those who came before.

  2. 2. At meetings and events, who generally delivers the Acknowledgement of Country?

    • The youngest person attending the meeting
    • The Chair or Master of Ceremonies
    • A representative of the state government
    • The person who booked the meeting venue

    Explanation: The person running the meeting or event normally gives the Acknowledgement.

  3. 3. At which point in a meeting is an Acknowledgement of Country usually delivered?

    • Immediately after the lunch break
    • At the close of the day's business
    • During the final vote of the meeting
    • As part of the Welcome and Housekeeping

    Explanation: It is given early on, in the opening Welcome and Housekeeping part of the meeting.

  4. 4. What does an Acknowledgement of Country recognise?

    • That the gathering is open to all interested members of the public
    • That the gathering will be conducted in a traditional language
    • That the gathering is on Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander land
    • That the gathering has formal approval from the local council

    Explanation: An Acknowledgement recognises the land on which people have gathered as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander land.

  5. 5. When does a Welcome to Country usually take place at an event?

    • It usually opens the event, as the first item
    • It is usually repeated before each separate session
    • It usually follows the main speeches of the event
    • It usually closes the event, as the last item

    Explanation: The Welcome comes right at the start, before the rest of the programme begins.

  6. 6. Which TWO of these are ways a Welcome to Country may be performed?

    • Songs and dances
    • Smoking ceremonies
    • Written invitations sent to guests
    • A vote among the people attending

    Explanation: A Welcome to Country takes many forms, such as song, dance, a smoking ceremony or a speech in traditional language or English.

  7. 7. Who is able to deliver an Acknowledgement of Country?

    • A government officer must be present to deliver it
    • It must be delivered by an Elder of the community
    • Only a custodian of the local region may deliver one
    • Anyone is able to deliver an Acknowledgement of Country

    Explanation: Unlike a Welcome to Country, an Acknowledgement is not limited to custodians — any person may give one.

  8. 8. Who performs a Welcome to Country?

    • A visiting guest who has travelled to the traditional land
    • The most senior guest who is attending the event that day
    • An Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander custodian of the area
    • A government official appointed by the local shire council

    Explanation: Only a custodian of the local Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community can give a Welcome to Country, because it is their traditional land.

  9. 9. Why are a Welcome to Country and an Acknowledgement of Country performed today?

    • To raise money for local community organisations and charities
    • To show respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
    • To decide which of the guests will chair the meeting or event
    • To keep an official record of everyone attending the event

    Explanation: Both practices exist to show respect to Australia's First Peoples.

  10. 10. Why was a Welcome to Country traditionally performed?

    • To collect a payment from people travelling through the land
    • To ensure visitors had a safe and protected journey on the land
    • To record the names of all visitors arriving on the land
    • To decide which visitors could settle on the land

    Explanation: The practice was a way of offering visitors safety and protection while they stayed on that land.

From Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, the official booklet