INDIGENOUS EDUCATION
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that the following may contain images and voices of deceased persons.
Indigenous Education is designed to attain two goals. The first is to ensure Indigenous students at all levels are able to participate in education and achieve appropriate, positive outcomes at an individual level. This can best be seen in the intent of the Updated ! National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Strategy [2015].
The second is to develop programs that assist the wider community to increase their understanding of Indigenous culture and history. The aim is to remove prejudice or racial intolerance. Part of both goals is to ensure that Indigenous languages remain alive in Australia.
In working to achieve these goals, it is essential to have Indigenous input at all levels from development to presentation and support. All levels and groups encourage this.
The Indigenous Resources page provides support and additional resources. For more language information, go to the Indigenous Languages page.
This page looks at Indigenous education in all Australian states & Territories as well as some national information.
NATIONAL INFORMATION
GOVERNMENT
-
Children and Schooling [Indigenous.gov.au]
‘A good education is essential for a good future and that starts with making sure children and young people go to school every day’. Includes recent stories of programs being carried out in individual settings. -
Education [Department of the Prime Minister and
Cabinet]
‘Introduction, Latest News, Resources, Programs & Policies, Contact details’. -
Higher Education
Overview, Latest News, links embedded in the text, link to Resource Centre. -
Indigenous Education
Australia.gov.au. ‘Find out about government support available for Indigenous education’. - Updated !
Indigenous Education [Department of Education]
Overview, links, including one to the Updated ! National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Strategy.
OTHER SOURCES
-
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Higher Education Policy Timeline
‘National milestones in higher education; Australian government legislation, reports, policies; and international conventions. This section of the site will be checked and updated by June 30 of each year from 2014 to 2019’. University of Notre Dame, Australia. - Updated !
Aurora Education Foundation
‘The Aurora Education Foundation’s vision is to transform the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians through education’. -
Australian Indigenous Education Foundation
‘AIEF provides scholarships and support through its two core programs, the AIEF Scholarship Program and the AIEF Pathways Program’. -
Closing the
Gap Report
The Third Chapter covers education. -
Indigenous Reading Project
‘Indigenous Reading Project is an independent organisation established in 2012. We are a passionate team of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people working to bring about change in the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids’. - New !&ensp
Indigenous Youth Leadership Program
‘The Indigenous Youth Leadership Program [IYLP] supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students living in remote or very remote areas of Australia to attend a high performing secondary school [government and non–government, day and boarding] and/or university to complete Year 12 and/or an undergraduate degree’. -
The Universities
Australia’s Indigenous Strategy 2017-2020
‘Universities will seek to grow the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students enrolled in university by 50 per cent above the growth rate of non-Indigenous students and also sets a target of equal success and completion rates for Indigenous students to non-Indigenous students in the same fields of study over the next decade’. - Updated !
University Indigenous Education Units
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Higher Education Consortium. Listed by states/territories.
AUST. CAPITAL TERRITORY
-
Aboriginal Education Policy
Catholic Education Commission. Canberra/Goulburn. -
ANU - Indigenous Communities
‘Here you will find Indigenous students and staff strongly committed to improving education outcomes that benefit Australian Indigenous communities’. The Tjabal Centre and Indigenous Department of ANUSA [Students’ Association].
EDUCATION DIRECTORATE
-
Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Education
Overview of this area. Multiple sections and links to other material. Related material includes :
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Report 2017-18
- Updated !
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Reports
Annual and Bi-Annual reports. 2001 to 2017-18. PDF or DOC formats. - Updated ! Narragunnawali Reconciliation in Schools and Early Learning
- New !
Teaching and Learning Resources
Links to a number of sources for use in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education.
NEW SOUTH WALES
NESA
-
Aboriginal Educational Contexts
‘Teaching and learning resources for all Secondary KLAs, for the Primary curriculum, and in literacy and numeracy’. -
Aboriginal Studies - HSC
Syllabus, Assessment and examination materials, Other support materials. - Mapping Aboriginal Perspectives and Cross-curriculum Content K-10
-
Working with Aboriginal
Communities
‘A Guide to Community Consultation and Protocols’. BOSTES. -
Year 7-10 Syllabuses
See both Aboriginal Languages and Aboriginal Studies. Syllabus, programming and assessment, Life Skills components.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
-
Aboriginal Education and Communities
Strategy and Policies; Aboriginal Education in NSW public schools; Language, culture and communities; Connected Communities; Working in partnership with the NSW AECG Inc.; News; more. -
Aboriginal Education and Training Policy
Policy plus linked documents. -
Aboriginal Education in NSW Public Schools
‘Strategies to achieve outcomes for Aboriginal students P-12 and increase knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal histories and culture’. -
Aboriginal Resources
Henry Parkes Equity Resource Centre. Other resources include Samuel Wagan Watson [‘This sequence of videos is an interactive resource for Stage 4/5 English and or Stage 4/5 Aboriginal Studies’] and NAISDA which ‘offers a number of Indigenous dance programs and performances’. -
Aboriginal
Services
State Training Services. -
Aboriginal Education Strategy and Policy
Linked to the Connected Communities process. Information about this process can be found through the Fact Sheet, the Connected Communities Strategy and a Report on Consultation. - New ! State Plan and Premier’s Priorities [Aboriginal Education]
OTHER SITES
-
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Participation
University of Sydney. ‘Wingara Mura-Bunga Barrabugu is our strategic commitment to building opportunity, capability and rights for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and for valuing Indigenous culture at our University’. -
Aboriginal Educational Consultative Group NSW
‘Provides advice on all matters relevant to education and training with the mandate that this advice represents the Aboriginal community viewpoint’. -
Aboriginal
Education Policy
Catholic Education Commission. Canberra/Goulburn. -
Charles Sturt University Indigenous
Support Units
Introduction, listing of support centres currently available. Part of their Indigenous Student Services. -
Koori Centre
‘Programs, services and facilities to encourage and support the involvement of Indigenous Australians in all aspects of tertiary education at the University of Sydney’. -
NAISDA
Dance College
‘Australia’s national tertiary Indigenous dance training organisation, … that provides ground-breaking delivery of a Career in Dance curriculum to diploma level’. -
National Centre of Indigenous Excellence
‘Hosts programs and facilities for young Indigenous people to help them achieve their dreams and aspirations in the areas of sport, art, education and culture’. - Updated !
TAFE
- Aboriginal Students
‘We welcome Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to enrol in TAFE NSW courses and we support all students to get the most out of education and training to help open up exciting employment opportunities. From music and film, to Aboriginal languages and cultures - our courses are taught in small, friendly groups with personalised support’.
NORTHERN TERRITORY
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
-
Aboriginal Responsive Skilling Grants
‘information about Indigenous Responsive Program funding for regional and remote communities, to train workers for projects in the community’. -
Engagement Programs for Secondary Indigenous Students
‘The program will assist students to obtain a Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training and support their employment options beyond school’. -
Increasing Indigenous Employment [Department of Education]
‘To support this commitment and increase Indigenous employment, the department are implementing a special measures plan effective from 1 June 2016’. -
Indigenous Education Strategy
The Northern Territory Government has endorsed a ten year strategy, A Share in the Future - Indigenous Education Strategy 2015-2024 in response to the recommendations from the Indigenous Education Review. -
Indigenous Languages and Culture : Curriculum Resources
Resources for teachers. -
Remote
Secondary School Choices
‘Information about secondary school options for students in remote Indigenous communities’. -
Study to become
a Teacher
‘Go to the following websites for more information on study pathways and alternative scholarship options’.
OTHER SITES
-
Indigenous Schools
Catholic Education Office. Looks at their role in Indigenous Communities and has links for information on their Indigenous schools. -
Larrakia
‘With Advance Training International heading the skills training and Kormilda College improving the academic ability, Larrakia Development Corporation have created a solid foundation to get skilled Larrakia into positions to better their future’. You may also be interested in their new New ! Larrakia Cultural Centre. -
Narragunnawali Reconciliation in Schools and Early
Learning
‘Designed to support the 21 000+ early learning services, primary and secondary schools in Australia to develop environments that foster a higher level of knowledge and pride in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and contributions’.
QUEENSLAND
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
-
Deadly Kindies
‘Deadly Kindies is a collaboration between the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health and the Queensland Government Department of Education and Training. The initiative is designed to highlight the importance of Kindergarten in early childhood education and encourage attendance’. -
Indigenous Education
‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from kindergarten to school leavers can benefit from education programs and services. They are designed to help communities work together to help Indigenous young people reach their education and career goals’. Sections cover :
- Updated !
Early Childhood
Scroll down to details for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. - Updated ! Education and Training
- New ! Financial help and Scholarships
- New ! Study Options and Courses
- Updated !
School
Scroll down to links relevant for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
QCAA
-
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives
‘Strategies, resources, projects and initiatives that focus on increasing awareness’. Access Resources : Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge here. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
Syllabus and multiple sections. - Brochure for Parents of Indigenous Prep Children
-
P-10 Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Languages Syllabus
‘Provides opportunities for students to develop knowledge of and communication skills in the target Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Language’.
OTHER SITES
-
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit
‘To become a centre of excellence and expert opinion on teaching, research and consultation in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures’. University of Queensland. -
CQUniversity
Australia - TEP
‘Enabling program to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to assist them to gain the skills, knowledge and confidence to undertake university study’. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education
Queensland Catholic Education Commission. Education Program Elements, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives, access an Education Action Plan. -
Oodgeroo Unit
‘QUT’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student support centre committed to developing better access to university education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and promote higher levels of participation in tertiary education’.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION
-
Aboriginal Education
Aboriginal schools, About Aboriginal culture, Learning support, Enter for Success program [improving attendance and retention rates]. - Aboriginal Strategy 2019-2029
- Reconciliation Action Plan 2018-2021
-
Strategic Plan
Includes aspects of Aboriginal education, including the two above items. -
Learning
Plans for Aboriginal Students
‘Mandatory for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students’. -
Support for
Aboriginal Students
Listing of options, links to other areas.
OTHER SITES
-
Aboriginal Education
Includes the Aboriginal Education Strategy, Aboriginal perspectives in subjects, Stories of Success, poster, support materials, more. -
Aboriginal Studies
Syllabus from SACE. Details including support documents and materials. -
Aboriginal Support, TAFE SA
Aboriginal Access Centre, Indigenous Tutorial Assistance Scheme, financial assistance, locations, contacts. -
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Student Support [Catholic Education]
Indigenous Education Team, support they provide, programs in which they are involved. -
David Unaipon Indigenous College of Education
and Research
‘The longest servicing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Higher Education program in Australia’.
TASMANIA
DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION
- Updated !
Aboriginal Education Services
Early learning, Cultural Programs, ASK Program, Resource Centre, Aboriginal Education Services Video Channel and email contact details. The New ! Aboriginal Education Services pages are found here. -
Aboriginal
Resources
Use the TALIS Search to access these. Department of Education. -
Support for Aboriginal
Students in Tasmanian Government Schools
‘The Department of Education works in partnership with community and families to support Aboriginal students’. - Updated !
Tasmania’s Aboriginal Education Framework
Download the document here. - New !
The Orb
‘The Orb celebrates Tasmanian Aboriginal people and the interconnections between Country, culture, identity and Community. The Orb features interviews with Tasmanian Aboriginal Community members. It provides teachers with Australian Curriculum aligned resources to assist the teaching of Tasmanian Aboriginal histories and cultures’.
OTHER SITES
- Updated !
National
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Strategy
-
TasTAFE
Support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
VICTORIA
EDUCATION & TRAINING
-
Aboriginal Cultural Awareness
‘The Department provides this online resource to assist staff and schools to develop their knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal cultures’. - Aboriginal Early Years Support
-
Balert
Boorron
‘The Victorian Plan for Aboriginal Children and Young People [2010-2020] seeks to reflect the aspirations of Aboriginal young people’.
You now need to be able to log in to access this site. -
Aboriginal Best Start
‘Aboriginal Best Start projects have been established to make sure that local Aboriginal communities and organisations are given every possible opportunity to influence outcomes for their children and families’. You can also access Best Start Guidelines [including Resources] here -
Career Resource for Koorie Young People
Information, contact details. -
Early Start Kindergarten
‘Early Start Kindergarten provides free or low cost kindergarten to eligible three year old children where programs are offered by a qualified teacher’. -
Kindergarten for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
‘Koorie Kids Shine at kindergarten. All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who turn 3 or 4 years old by 30 April can attend kindergarten for up to 15 hours per week for free’. - Updated !
Koorie Education Policy
‘To support schools to provide quality and meaningful education to Koorie students, where Koorie students engage fully in their schooling years, and gain the knowledge and skills to excel at Year 12 or its equivalent’. - Koorie Learning Resources
- Koorie Literacy and Numeracy Programs
-
Marrung Aboriginal Education Plan 2016-2026
‘Marrung sets out a 10 year vision and identifies the significant actions for its achievement. From this plan there will be some ground-breaking change’. Further information can be found on the departmental program page for the Marrung Program. -
New !
Marrung 10-Year Education Plan
[2016-2026]
‘The Marrung 10-year Education Plan is a strategy developed to ensure that all Koorie Victorians achieve their learning aspirations’. - Marrung Education Scholarships
- Scholarships and Financial Assistance for Koorie Young People
-
Supporting Aboriginal Children and Their Families
Department of Education & Training. Lists a range of the programs included here plus more. -
Teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture
‘Teachers must follow protocols for teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. These are known as the Koorie Cross-Curricular Protocols’.
OTHER SITES
-
University Koorie Units
‘Find a TAFE site or a University unit which can support Koorie young people in their studies’. -
Victorian Aboriginal Education Association [Inc.]
‘Involvement of Victorian Koorie community members in decision making regarding education and training provision for Koorie students’.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
-
Aboriginal Education Directorate
Aboriginal Education, Aboriginal Community Involvement, Policy and Research, Teaching and Learning, Leadership and Culture and Aboriginal Links. Some are listed below :
-
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories
and Cultures
Part of the cross curricula components of the new curriculum. -
Aboriginal Community Involvement
Community, Parental Engagement, School and Community Partnerships, Walk Right In [see below]. - New !
Aboriginal Cultural Standards Framework
‘The framework gives us a basis to reflect on our approaches to Aboriginal education, strive for improvement, and engage Aboriginal families and communities in schooling. It is about transforming our practices as we collectively move towards a more capable and responsive organisation. By using this framework, I believe we will have greater potential to be more responsive to the circumstances of Aboriginal students and improve their learning ’. -
Aboriginal Perspectives Across the
Curriculum
The APAC Initiative, Teaching Resources, Lesson Plans, Mind Maps. -
Bringing Aboriginal Perspectives
into how you teach
‘Differences and commonality amongst Aboriginal students, and a checklist for assessing your curriculum, classroom management and teaching methods’. - New !
Focus 2022
Focus 2022 includes implementation of a range of Aboriginal education factors. -
Online Aboriginal Education Modules
This a brief overview. The Online Aboriginal Education Course is found here. -
Policies and
Research
Policy Directions, Media, Reports and Research, Documents. - New !
Strategic Directions for Public Schools 2020–2024
Includes material relevant to Indigenous education. -
Walk Right
In
‘Walk Right In is a manual that aims to increase parent involvement in their child’s/children’s education and the school’.
OTHER SITES
-
Aboriginal Independent Community Schools
Links to all the schools. -
Curtin Aboriginal Studies Centre
‘Promote[s] Aboriginal and Islander peoples’ participation in tertiary studies’. -
Future Footprints
‘The goal of Future Footprints is to support students’ engagement in education and to enhance students’ transition to and from school’. Part of the AIS site.