Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

This report outlines policy options in relation to parity targets for four priority equity groups in Australian higher education – students from low SES backgrounds, First Nations Australian students, students with disability, and students from regional and remote Australia.

This guide is part of the Student Equity Data Guide Series produced by the Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success (ACSES). This series aims to describe key data areas for student equity in higher education. Please contact us with any feedback and questions.

This NCSEHE Equity Fellowship study investigated the national profile of Indigenous students enrolled in select higher education and vocational education allied healthcare study, as well as the institutional factors linked with success in access and retention.

This Equity Fellowship focused on outreach programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and examines “what works” and what could be improved in these programs. Most universities are running outreach initiatives for Indigenous high school students. The study identified the need for improved post-camp engagement with students, as well as cultural aspects and Indigenous perspectives in the curriculum.

This NCSEHE-funded research investigated the enrolment-completion gap and questioned what supports are available to Indigenous undergraduate students, and how likely they are to access them.

This report by NCSEHE Equity Fellow Dr Andrea Simpson calls for stronger links between vocational and higher education to promote Indigenous participation in healthcare study.

This NCSEHE-funded research shows, while the number of Indigenous students participating in higher education continues to grow, Indigenous student completion rates remain very low relative to non-Indigenous students.

This research has found that despite high levels of aspiration to higher education, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men are underrepresented at Australian universities.

Research shows Indigenous school students value the opportunity to build connections with their peers through university outreach camps, but more could be done to improve the delivery and evaluation of these programs.