Pathways
Local First Nations Education Information
Further Resources for Educators
The following resources can assist schools and educators to broaden their understanding of First Nations history, culture, science and technology, Treaty, Yoorrook, and Reconciliation. Accessing these resources can help to support First Nations students in the classroom and beyond. These resources can also help schools to provide further learning to their staff and non-Indigenous students to encourage active anti-racism and action on Reconciliation.
Education Resources
Clontarf Academy – locally based in Warrnambool College and Brauer College. Clontarf Academies and the Clontarf Foundation ‘exist to improve the education, discipline, life skills, self-esteem and employment prospects of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and by doing so equips them to participate more meaningfully in society.’
CSIRO — Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy Program – ‘A national program delivered online, through contact with schools, and outside regular school hours for young Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women from high school through to higher education, tertiary pathways and graduate employment, in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths)’.
Marrung Aboriginal Education Plan 2016-2026 – Marrung is a strategy developed in partnership between Victorian Department of Education, Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc., Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency, and the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, to ensure that all Koorie Victorians achieve their learning aspirations.
Stars Foundation – local program based in Warrnambool College and Brauer College. STARS supports young female Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to be ‘culturally strong, to be leaders in their community, and aspiring young people who complete Year 12, and pursue a study or career pathway of their choice.’
Strengthening Aboriginal Self-Determination in Education: Campfire Conversations: reflections and directions (2022-2023) – report developed from the 180+ Campfire Conversations hosted by Victorian schools, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs), and the Victorian Department of Education on self-determination in education.
Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc. (VAEAI) – VAEAI represents the Koorie Community in relation to education policy development and strategic programming at the local, state and national levels. VAEAI provide downloadable curriculum and education resources, policies, strategies and other publications from Early years through to further education. Visit their website for a calendar of key dates for recognition or celebration and for information about Koorie Big Day Out.
Victorian Department of Education Koorie Engagement Support Officers (KESOs) – ‘are part of an area-based team of professionals who understand Aboriginal culture and history of the community. KESOs support schools with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners to participate fully in education by providing advice and building capability within schools.’
Community Understanding and Safety Training (CUST) – ‘is professional learning for school staff to increase their understanding of Koorie culture, history and experiences. The purpose of the training is to ensure a strong foundation for culturally-inclusive schools and practices, which can have a positive impact on Koorie students’ health and wellbeing.’
Koorie Cultural Inclusion Practice Notes and Koorie Education Resources – the Koorie Cultural Inclusion Practice Notes ‘provide examples of ways in which educators can enhance their practice to cultivate a culturally supportive and responsive learning environment in which Australia’s First Nations Peoples contributions are visible and celebrated.’
Koorie Academy of Excellence (KAE) – ‘an out of school hours program that supports young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to be culturally strong, to be leaders in their community, and aspiring young people who complete Year 12, and pursue a study or career pathway of their choice.’
Languages & Multicultural Education Resource Centre (LMERC) – ‘specialised library for teachers in the area of EAL, Languages and the Victorian Curriculum cross-curriculum priority areas and Intercultural capability.’ LMERC provides teaching resources on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and culture.
Scholarships — Foundation to Year 12
Aurora Education Foundation – provides a general scholarship search engine on their website. The Aurora Education Foundation is an Indigenous organisation supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to ‘realise their full education and employment potential.’ Aurora also offer a funded internship program.
Australian Indigenous Education Foundation – offers scholarships to Indigenous students in financial need to one of AIEF partner schools.
Marrung Scholarships – the Marrung Scholarships were part of the Marrung Aboriginal Education Plan and only available for the duration of the Plan. The Victorian Department of Education is due to release a new First Nations education strategy in 2026. Information about possible scholarships will be updated once the strategy has been released.
Melbourne Indigenous Transition School – offers full scholarship and boarding program for Year 7-8 First Nations students, with the aim of students continuing the rest of their secondary education at one of the MITS partner boarding schools. MITS continue to provide board for those students in Years 9-12.
Public Education Foundation – a national not-for-profit organisation providing scholarships to government school students, teachers, and principals on behalf of philanthropic organisations. Scholarships may be open to all students or have specific criteria such as for First Nations students.
The Smith Family – the Indigenous Youth Leadership Program provides scholarships and leadership opportunities to young Indigenous Australians with a focus on students from regional and remote areas. Scholarships are to attend partnering boarding schools.
Victorian Department of Education Scholarships Yr 4-12 – applications open to students in Victorian Government schools receiving a government youth allowance or whose family is receiving a Centrelink benefit.
Yalari — Rosemary Bishop Indigenous Education Scholarship – available to Indigenous students from regional and remote communities and towns throughout Australia who will be entering Year 7 and meet the application requirements. Note: the application process begins in Grade 5.
Local Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations
Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation (EMAC) – Eastern Maar and Gunditjmara peoples are recognised as the native title holders for an area of their Traditional Country in south-west Victoria. EMAC manages native title rights for the Eastern Maar Peoples and manages and protects Aboriginal cultural heritage across Eastern Maar Country. Contact EMAC for questions regarding cultural engagement for education: including smoking ceremonies, incorporating or learning local language, performance and visual art, or for academic and research purposes. EMAC also have their own Education Liaison Officer who works directly with schools.
For advice, recommendations, and details of local First Nations artists who can work with your school on collaborations or student workshops, or for permissions and protocols on the use of local languages, contact Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation (EMAC) and their Education Liaison Officer.
Gunditjmara Aboriginal Cooperative Ltd – provide Health Services, support for Independent Living, and Family and Community Services. For students and young people, Gunditjmara offer support through their social and emotional wellbeing programs, including social groups and activities. The SEWB team are available during business hours to provide direct support to students if needed.
Kirrae Health Service Inc – Kirrae Health Service is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation that supports the physical, mental, and emotional health needs of the Framlingham Aboriginal Community and surrounding areas. Kirrae Health Social and Emotional Wellbeing team provide a range of activities and supports for students and young people throughout the year, including school holiday programs.
Worn Gundidj – Worn Gundidj is a cultural custodian of Southwest Victoria. Worn Gundidj provide support through social and emotional wellbeing programs, cultural experiences and education, employment and volunteer opportunities. Worn Gundidj also incorporates the Worn Gundidj native nursery, an Indigenous-led social enterprise that offers employment opportunities and social engagement programs.
Truth-telling, Treaty and Anti-Racism Resources
First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria – The Assembly ‘are an independent and democratically elected body to represent Traditional Owners of Country and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Victoria’. The Assembly are the elected representatives to negotiate Treaty with the Victorian Government. The First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria website contains information and resources about the Assembly, and about the Treaty between First Nations people and the Victorian Government, now enacted in law.
Yoorrook Justice Commission – the first formal truth-telling inquiry in Victoria and Australia into ‘historic and ongoing systemic injustices perpetrated against First Peoples through colonisation’. The Yoorrook Justice Commission inquiry was led by First Nations peoples. The website contains information and resources about the Commission, truth-telling, and First Nations history.
There’s nothing casual About Racism – launched in 2026, this campaign by the Australian Human Rights Commission is the follow-on from their Racism. It Stops with me. campaign. This campaign provides a wide range of resources for educators and organisations about equity, diversity, and inclusion.
5 Common Myths and Misconceptions about Racism: Self-reflection and education guide – developed by the Australian Human Rights Commission to ‘support people to develop their racial literacy and confidence in identifying and thinking critically about race and racism in Australia.’
Crisis Support
13YARN – ‘National crisis support line for mob who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping. 13YARN offer a confidential one-on-one yarning opportunity with a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter who can provide crisis support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on Tel: 13 92 76’.
BLKTRX – mental health, social and emotional wellbeing support, and suicide prevention directory created by Victorian ACCHOs and the Balit Durn Durn Centre.
Yarning Safe’N’Strong – Victorian Aboriginal Health Service free and confidential counselling service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, available 24hrs 7 days a week. Tel: 1800 959 563.
Further Education and Career Support
Deakin University — National Indigenous Knowledges Education Research Innovation (NIKERI) Institute – Deakin’s Indigenous Higher Education Unit, the NIKERI Institute is located on Deakin’s Waurn Ponds campus but offers support to all First Nations students interested in studying at a Deakin campus. NIKERI offer information and support for students preparing their applications for courses and scholarships, as well as offering community-based course delivery for some courses, including a week-long Direct Admissions Program for all prospective students.
South West TAFE First Nations Student Support – SWTAFE First Nations Student Support Officers can assist with transition from school to TAFE, navigating the campus, support with enrolment as well as providing information on fees, concessions, and scholarships. First Nations Student Support Officers can help students to choose the right course for their career pathways, and to develop their essay and assignment writing and basic computer skills.
Toorong Marnong Higher Education Accord and Hotline – Available annually in December, upon release of ATAR results, through to the beginning of Semester 1 each year. The purpose of this Hotline is to provide students who have recently received their ATAR scores with easy access to Aboriginal academic and administrative advisors who can answer their questions about university enrolment, options and pathways, including guidance on change of course applications. Tel: 1800 862 827 (1800 TM ATAR).
University Indigenous Higher Education Units – Indigenous Higher Education Units are located in universities across Australia. These units provide support to First Nations students, create a network of First Nations students and academics and provide a First Nations presence at all Australian university campuses. Indigenous Higher Education Units can support students through the course application process and provide information about scholarships and other supports.
Worn Gundidj Employment Services – Worn Gundidj is an Aboriginal-led organisation that provides a range of supports through its Employment Services. They provide job readiness training, and career counselling, as well as partnering with the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) to deliver the Work Foundations pilot program. Through Work Foundations Worn Gundidj support ‘people with complex barriers to employment through award-wage placements coupled with wrap-around supports.’
Your Career: Information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people – Your Career is an Australian Government website providing information for school leavers. The Information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people is a targeted resource providing information on general programs and supports that may be of help to First Nations young people as they plan to leave school.
Community Organisations and Government Resources
Healing Foundation – The Healing Foundation supports survivors of the Stolen Generations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders taken from their families and culture under past government policies. The Healing Foundation website provides a wide range of resources for schools and educators to help facilitate understanding about the history and ongoing impacts of the Stolen Generations.
Aurora Foundation – The Aurora Foundation is an Indigenous organisation that ‘supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to realise their full education and employment potential.’ Offering a range of services and supports including internships, scholarships, international study tours, and high school intensive academic programs.
Australians Together – Education Resources and professional learning, focused on educating and building relationships between non-Indigenous Australians and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Koorie Youth Council – KYC provide a range of resources through their projects. Projects such as Wayipunga, developed in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, to provide resources for those working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, to support and encourage genuine engagement and culturally safe opportunities for young people to participate.
Narragunnawali — Reconciliation in Education – The Narragunnawali program is focused on providing tools and resources for schools, including professional learning for educators to support action towards reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
Reconciliation Australia – An independent not-for-profit organisation working in the community to support and facilitate reconciliation between the wider Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
Indigenous.gov.au – A website connecting First Nations people with government services and programs and celebrating the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through stories, news, and community information.
National Indigenous Australians Agency — Closing the Gap – The annual Closing the Gap report identifies the “gap” or disparity that still exists between non-Indigenous Australians and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders on a variety of life outcomes. The NIAA website provides information on the history and implementation of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, as well as reports, findings, and next steps.
Services Victoria — Indigenous Service Officer – Services Victoria provide Indigenous Service Officers to help clients access information, services, and payments such as Abstudy. Information can also be found via the Centrelink Indigenous Call Centre 1800 136 380 [Mon-Fri 8am-5pm].
