Ibrahim Gardner
In Australia, the government has implemented various initiatives to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in pursuing higher education. While Aboriginal students are not entirely exempt from paying HECS fees, the government has introduced programs and funding to increase their participation and success in tertiary education. This includes the Indigenous Student Success Program (ISSP) and the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, which aims to increase the proportion of Aboriginal students completing tertiary qualifications by 2031. Additionally, the Australian government has guaranteed Commonwealth-supported places at universities for Aboriginal students, regardless of their location. These measures aim to address the underrepresentation of Indigenous students in universities and promote equal opportunities for all Australians.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| HECS-HELP loan availability | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students can access HECS-HELP loans, but they still have to pay them back. |
| Commonwealth supported places | From 2021, the Australian Government guaranteed Commonwealth supported places to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from regional and remote areas. |
| Expansion of support | Since 2024, all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Australia are guaranteed a Commonwealth supported place at a university of their choice, when accepted into a non-medical course of study. |
| Future plans | From 2026, Commonwealth supported places will be extended to include courses in medicine. |
| Additional funding | The Australian Government provides additional funding to universities to support Indigenous students, such as the Indigenous Student Success Program (ISSP) and the Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP). |
| Scholarships | Some universities offer scholarships specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, such as the Narrm Scholarship Program and the Indigenous Commonwealth Scholarship. |
| Dedicated support | Universities like the University of Melbourne provide dedicated support services for Indigenous students, such as the Murrup Barak and Wilin Centre. |
| ABSTUDY assistance | ABSTUDY provides financial assistance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students pursuing master's or doctorate degrees, covering tuition fees or student contribution commitments. |
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What You'll Learn
- Aboriginal Australians still pay HECS, but guaranteed university places
- The Australian government provides funding and support for Indigenous students
- The National Indigenous Australians Agency works to deliver programs and services for Aboriginal students
- Universities must have a Support-For-Students policy to help students at risk of falling behind
- Scholarships and special entry access schemes are available for Aboriginal students
Aboriginal Australians still pay HECS, but guaranteed university places
The Australian government has guaranteed Commonwealth-supported university places to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students since 2024. This measure ensures that eligible Aboriginal students can enrol in a non-medical course of their choice at an Australian public university. From 2026, this arrangement will extend to courses in medicine.
While this initiative aims to boost Indigenous student numbers in higher education, it is important to note that Aboriginal students are still subject to HECS charges. HECS-HELP is a loan scheme offered by the Australian government to assist students in paying their contribution amount. However, it is not a free ride, and the loan must be repaid once the borrower's income reaches a certain level.
The government's decision to guarantee university places for Aboriginal students is part of broader reforms to increase Indigenous participation in higher education. These reforms include the Indigenous Student Success Program (ISSP) and funding through the IRLSAF (Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program). The National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) also plays a key role in ensuring that programs and services effectively support Aboriginal students in higher education.
Despite these efforts, some critics argue that more needs to be done to support Indigenous students. Kyiesha Faulkner, a recent university graduate, suggests that universities should strive to better understand Indigenous culture and priorities to provide more effective assistance. Additionally, the Liberal and National parties have opposed expanding Indigenous access to universities, citing concerns about the removal of the 50% pass rule, which they believe will lead to higher HECS debts for students.
Nevertheless, the University of Newcastle's Dr Butler highlights the positive impact of increasing Indigenous student numbers. Graduate students returning to their communities can significantly improve health and well-being outcomes, creating powerful change and limitless possibilities for Indigenous youth.
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The Australian government provides funding and support for Indigenous students
The Australian government is committed to improving educational outcomes for Indigenous Australians. To this end, it has implemented various funding and support programs to increase Indigenous participation in higher education and help close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
One such initiative is the Indigenous Student Success Program (ISSP), which commenced in January 2017. The ISSP provides supplementary funding to universities to help them support Indigenous students in navigating the demands of university life and succeeding in their studies. This funding allows universities to offer a range of services to Indigenous students, including scholarships, tutorial assistance, mentoring, safe cultural spaces, and other personal support services. The flexibility of the ISSP enables universities to tailor these services to meet the unique needs of their Indigenous students.
In addition to the ISSP, the Australian government has also introduced demand-driven funding for all First Nations students. This funding model responds to Priority Action 3 of the Australian Universities Accord Interim Report and aims to increase the number of First Nations graduates in the workforce. By increasing the representation of First Nations people in professional services and other industries requiring university-educated workforces, this initiative will have flow-on benefits for all First Nations communities across Australia.
Furthermore, the Australian government has guaranteed Commonwealth supported places at universities for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students since 2024. This means that eligible Indigenous students can enrol in a non-medical bachelor's degree of their choice at an Australian public university, with the government subsidising part of their fees. This subsidy reduces the financial burden on Indigenous students, making higher education more accessible. From 2026 onwards, these arrangements will also be extended to include undergraduate and postgraduate courses in medicine.
To further support Indigenous students in higher education, the government offers Indigenous Commonwealth Reward Scholarships. These scholarships recognise and reward Indigenous students who have achieved exceptionally high standards during their university studies. Universities advise eligible students about their scholarship value, duration, and payment method before the start of the semester.
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The National Indigenous Australians Agency works to deliver programs and services for Aboriginal students
The National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) works to deliver programs and services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. The NIAA is committed to improving educational outcomes for Indigenous students and works closely with various bodies to ensure that Indigenous programs and services achieve their intended goals.
The NIAA provides expert policy leadership and advice to enhance Indigenous education. They influence other areas of the government to ensure that mainstream funding efforts benefit Indigenous students. The NIAA has helped achieve greater parity in employment outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians with bachelor's degrees.
The Australian Government, through the NIAA, is working with communities, state and territory governments, education authorities, and schools to improve outcomes for Indigenous students. This includes record levels of recurrent schools funding through the Quality Schools package, with a specific loading for Indigenous students. The Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS) provides over $279 million annually in targeted complementary funding to enhance Indigenous educational outcomes.
The NIAA also supports early childhood development and education for Indigenous students. Through the Indigenous Advancement Strategy, the Australian Government invested $43.4 million in early childhood development activities in 2021-22. These activities included facilitated playgroups and family and community engagement initiatives.
The NIAA's work is part of broader efforts to boost Indigenous university student numbers. Since 2024, all Indigenous students in Australia have been guaranteed a Commonwealth supported place at a university of their choice for non-medical courses. This will be extended to medical courses from 2026. The government's funding guarantee for Indigenous students aims to double the number of Indigenous university students within a decade.
While Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students benefit from these support programs, they are still required to pay HECS fees. HECS-HELP is a loan from the Australian Government that students can use to pay their contribution amount. Students do not need to repay this loan until their income reaches a certain level.
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Universities must have a Support-For-Students policy to help students at risk of falling behind
In Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students are supported in their pursuit of higher education through various programs, funding, and policies. While these initiatives aim to increase participation and improve outcomes for Indigenous students, they do not exempt this demographic from paying HECS fees.
The Australian Government has implemented measures such as the Indigenous Student Success Program (ISSP) and the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, which targets a 70% completion rate for Indigenous students in tertiary education by 2031. Additionally, the government guarantees Commonwealth-supported places for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, ensuring that they have access to university education.
Despite these efforts, there is still a need to improve support for Indigenous students within the university sector. Kyiesha Faulkner, a Gommeroi woman and recent university graduate, emphasizes the importance of universities developing a better understanding of Indigenous culture and priorities to effectively assist Indigenous students.
To address this, the Australian Universities Accord Interim Report has led to the passage of legislation that includes a requirement for universities to implement a Support-For-Students policy. This policy is designed to proactively identify students at risk of falling behind and outline strategies to help them succeed. By doing so, universities can ensure that all students, including those from Indigenous backgrounds, have the necessary support to complete their studies and achieve positive outcomes.
The Support-For-Students policy is a crucial step towards creating a more inclusive and supportive educational environment for Indigenous students. It acknowledges the unique challenges and barriers faced by this demographic and seeks to provide tailored assistance to address them. By proactively identifying at-risk students and offering timely support, universities can contribute to the broader goal of increasing Indigenous participation and success in higher education. Furthermore, this policy can help foster a sense of belonging and empowerment among Indigenous students, encouraging them to pursue their educational goals and, ultimately, return to their communities as agents of positive change.
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Scholarships and special entry access schemes are available for Aboriginal students
The Australian government is actively working to increase the number of Indigenous students in higher education. As a result, there are several scholarships and special entry access schemes available for Aboriginal students.
The Indigenous Student Success Program (ISSP) is one such initiative. The ISSP provides funding to universities to help them support Indigenous students. This funding can be used to offer scholarships, tutorial assistance, mentoring, and other personal support services. The ISSP also prioritises financially disadvantaged students and those from remote and regional areas.
The Australian Indigenous Education Foundation (AIEF) is another organisation that provides scholarships for Indigenous students in financial need to attend leading Australian schools and universities. The AIEF partners with schools and colleges that have a demonstrated commitment to Indigenous education and student support.
Additionally, some universities offer their own scholarships and entry schemes for Aboriginal students. For example, the University of Melbourne offers the Narrm Scholarship Program, which includes a one-off relocation allowance of $3,000 for students from regional or remote areas of Australia. The university also offers the Bachelor of Science (Extended) degree, which is specifically designed to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in their transition to university.
These are just a few examples of the scholarships and special entry access schemes available for Aboriginal students in Australia. These initiatives aim to increase the participation and success of Indigenous students in higher education, recognising the benefits that this can bring to individuals and communities.
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Frequently asked questions
Since 2024, all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Australia have been guaranteed a Commonwealth supported place at a university of their choice, when accepted into their chosen non-medical course of study. However, this does not mean university is free, and students will still pay HECS. Financial help with course fees is available for Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students who are studying a master's or doctorate.
HECS-HELP is a loan from the Australian Government that you can use to pay your student contribution amount. You do not have to repay this loan until your income reaches a certain amount.
The Australian government has implemented the Indigenous Student Success Program (ISSP) to increase participation and help close the gap. The National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) works closely with several bodies to ensure Indigenous programs and services deliver for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as intended. The University of Melbourne's Murrup Barak provides support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students across all campuses. The University of Melbourne also offers the Narrm Scholarship Program for eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
