The NSW Department of Justice wants to have 6 per cent of its workforce made up of Indigenous Australians by 2017.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees currently represent 4 per cent of the NSW Justice workforce, which is already above the State Government target of 2.6 per cent.

Now, the Department says it will go even further.

The Department’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Strategy was launched by the Deputy Premier and Minister for Justice, Troy Grant, this week.

The Department says it will hit the target through recruitment, education and retention initiatives across its courts, tribunals and corrections fields.

Ten new roles will be created for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander school-based trainees, which will be coupled with a nationally-accredited qualification Certificate II in Business.

“This initiative is about ensuring we attract and keep positive Indigenous role models in our justice system and strengthen NSW Justice’s role as one of this Government’s leading Departments when it comes to workplace diversity,” Mr Grant said.

“It’s particularly important that we have diversity in our justice system because Aboriginal people are overrepresented in our courts and prisons and we want to break this cycle.”

Minister for Skills, John Barilaro said the 10 new NSW Justice traineeships would be funded under the $1 million Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Program.

Mr Barilaro said the initiative would offer even more job pathways for Aboriginal students in Government Departments with useful on-the-job skills and qualifications.