Background paper on Indigenous Australian higher education: trends, initiatives and policy implications

Authors: Pechenkina, E, & Anderson, I, 2011

This research report was commissioned by the panel for The Review of Higher Education Access and Outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. Its purpose was to provide an overview of the current trends and issues in Indigenous higher education and contribute to a discussion of possible solutions. The report found that education is a powerful tool in achieving better economic outcomes and is considered one of the main strategies for addressing Indigenous disadvantage in Australia. The higher education sector, in preparing educated people for leadership roles, has a vital role to play in raising the health, education and economic outcomes for the Indigenous community overall. The report concludes that increasing Indigenous participation in higher education is one of the crucial factors in reducing Indigenous disadvantage.