First Peoples students
Alternative labels
Indigenous students
Report
From evidence to impact 2026: policy and practice insights from ACSES
The report brings together recommendations from impactful student equity studies in Australia of the past 12 months. It is intended for practitioners, policymakers and institutional leaders who wish to engage with the findings and recommendations in an accessible, at-a-glance format. The 14 projects included cover research on all four equity groups.
Policy report
Racism in schools policy paper
Racism in Australian school settings continues to be a prevalent issue for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and students from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds. From a literature review conducted into the prevalence and impacts of racism, the case is outlined for a National Anti-Racism Framework to be embedded in Australian schools.
Report
Place-based and culturally responsive VET for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners
This report considers how place-based and culturally responsive teaching can be integrated into vocational education and training (VET) more effectively, leading to more meaningful outcomes for First Nations learners. The report identifies key elements of good practice in culturally responsive training delivered through place-based approaches, finding that effective approaches are Aboriginal led.
Report
“Like oil and water”: exploring distance education for First Nations students
This interjurisdictional report critically examines the provision of distance education for First Nations students in ‘remote’ Australia, highlighting systemic barriers, cultural mismatches and opportunities for reform. It reveals how distance education models, founded in settler-colonial pedagogies and reliant on digital infrastructure, often fail to meet First Nations learners’ needs.
Journal article
Understanding the journey to higher education: decision-making insights from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
This study investigates the decision-making process of Indigenous Australian students in pursuing higher education, addressing a gap in understanding their educational choices. It identifies the key factors influencing university enrolment decisions and how these shape students’ educational pathways. Using a narrative-inquiry approach, the study explored the lived experiences of Indigenous students from two Western Australian...