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The Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success acknowledges Indigenous peoples across Australia as the Traditional Owners of the lands on which the nation’s campuses are situated. With a history spanning more than 60,000 years as the original educators, Indigenous peoples hold a unique place in our nation. We recognise the importance of their knowledge and culture, and reflect the principles of participation, equity, and cultural respect in our work. We pay our respects to Elders past, present, and future, and consider it an honour to learn from our Indigenous colleagues, partners, and friends.

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You are reading: First Nations students’ progress into and through university

This is the final report submitted for the ACSES Small Grants Research Program project “First Nations students’ progress into and through university”.

Lead researcher: Dr James Beaufils, Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research at the University of Technology Sydney

Co-authors: Dr Rebecca Taylor and Dr Daniel Edwards, Australian Council for Educational Research

Read below for the key points of the report “at a glance”. The full report is available for download in PDF [1 MB] or Word [5 MB] format.

At a glance

Background

This project provides insight into the pathways and approaches to university by First Nations students and the role that a university centre designed specifically to support First Nations students can have on building success for students. The work focussed on building an understanding across the “lifespan” of a university student – from the “idea” of going to university, through to the experience once enrolled and embedded in university life.

What we did

After providing a brief background and overview of existing literature on the university experience for First Nations students, we analysed national-level administrative data on student retention and completions for First Nations students and undertook semi-structured interviews with 16 students and eight staff from a metropolitan university and its First Nations Centre.

What we found

  1. The national administrative data of First Nations university student commencers in 2014 who had completed their degree by 2022 shows variability in the overall “completion rates” of First Nations students across a range of demographic characteristics, methods of entry to, and enrolment at university. The variable patterns within the First Nations population are similar to the patterns seen across all students.
  2. First Nations students take varied paths to access and succeed in university. Students draw on personal motivation, family and community support, institutional outreach, and flexible entry pathways to build their university lives.
  3. Targeted support services like enabling programs, mentorship, and culturally responsive guidance were crucial elements of support.
  4. When these services are provided by a dedicated First Nations Centre within the university, their impact is even stronger. These elements help students overcome barriers, build confidence, and find a space where they feel comfortable.

What we recommend

With appropriate resourcing, First Nations Centres can provide the necessary culturally sensitive support to First Nations students, including:

  • course and careers counselling
  • enrolment and admissions
  • academic support
  • accommodation and financial support
  • a meeting place
  • links to medical and mental health services.

 

The full report is available for download in PDF [1 MB] or Word [5 MB] format.

Download the full report:
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Beaufils-et-al-2026-First-Nations-students-progress-into-and-through-university.docx
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Credit for artwork used on cover: Tau Talifolau’s Passing on knowledge was created for this research project and is used with permission from the artist.

Description: “The symbols of passing on knowledge with the emu footprints signify progression. The Emu is known for never taking a step back so I thought this would be a deadly theme to include.” – Talifolau, T.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Indigenous Research Reports
Download the full report
First Nations students’ progress into and through university
Beaufils et al., 2026
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