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Expanding education support for Indigenous young people

The Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, today announced $33 million in funding to provide enhanced education support for Indigenous young people.

"This initiative will remove some of the barriers that currently discourage Indigenous people from taking up higher education opportunities, and will support positive transitions through school to higher education and employment," Minister Bishop said.

"It will help Indigenous Australians, wherever they live, to have the same educational opportunities as other Australians and to make informed choices about their opportunities in life."

Up to 1,000 Indigenous higher education students annually, particularly those who wish to relocate from rural and remote areas, will receive a one-off payment of $4,000 when they take up either a university undergraduate or enabling course. Further funding will also allow these students to receive a Commonwealth Scholarship to assist them with their accommodation and education costs.

Changes to independence workforce criteria will benefit ABSTUDY students who have supported themselves through workforce participation for a specified period since leaving school.

Extension of Crisis and Bereavement payments to ABSTUDY recipients will assist in keeping students engaged in education. Extending the ABSTUDY Incidentals Allowance to students undertaking an enabling course at a higher education institution will encourage younger students to undertake preparatory studies and go on to further study.

"This funding will accelerate improvements in the educational outcomes of Indigenous students and will improve their access to higher education and employment," Minister Bishop said.

Supporting Information

Why is this important?

• The measure will remove some of the barriers that currently discourage Indigenous people from taking up higher education, and support their transition through school to higher education and employment.
• It will help Indigenous Australians, wherever they live, to have the same educational opportunities as other Australians to make informed choices about their opportunities in life.
• It will accelerate improvements in the education and employment opportunities of Indigenous students.
• Up to 1,000 Indigenous higher education students annually, particularly those who need to relocate from rural and remote areas, will receive a one-off payment of $4,000 when they take up either an undergraduate or enabling course at university.
• In addition, further funding is being made available to allow these students to also receive a Commonwealth Scholarship to support their education and accommodation costs while at university.
• The Department of Education, Science and Training is developing guidelines for the programme, and will consult with Indigenous stakeholders including the Indigenous Higher Education Advisory Council and the sector generally, including the Australian Vice-Chancellors’ Committee.
• The enhanced independence criteria will assist ABSTUDY students who have supported themselves through workforce participation for a specified period since leaving school. This will align ABSTUDY self supporting workforce independence criteria with that applying to Youth Allowance.
• Extending the ABSTUDY Incidentals Allowance to students undertaking an enabling course at a higher education institution will encourage younger students to undertake preparatory studies and go on to further study.
• Extending Crisis and Bereavement payment to ABSTUDY recipients will allow students to access these payments, which are currently available to recipients of a Social Security pension or benefit, and keep students engaged in education.

Who will benefit?

• The new Indigenous Access Scholarships (IAS) will benefit up to 1,000 Indigenous students, particularly those relocating from remote or rural regions of Australia, undertaking either an undergraduate or enabling course at university.
• These students are eligible for a Commonwealth Scholarship to support their education and accommodation costs while at university.
• The enhanced independence workforce criteria will benefit ABSTUDY students who have supported themselves through workforce participation for a specified period since leaving school.
• The Incidentals Allowance will now benefit students under 18 years of age undertaking preparatory studies at a higher education institution.
• Crisis Payment will assist some 500 ABSTUDY recipients over the age of 16 who are experiencing financial hardship due to an unforseen crisis. Bereavement Payment will be available to 130 ABSTUDY recipients who in the event of the death of a partner will receive the deceased person’s payment for a period of time.

What funding is the Government committing to the initiatives?

• $32.9 million over four years.

What have we done in the past?

• In the past the Australian Government has offered Commonwealth Learning Scholarships, consisting of Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarships and Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarships (now known as Commonwealth Scholarships). Although these are not Indigenous specific scholarships, there is a 20% weighting to Indigenous people. These scholarships have not been available for students undertaking study in enabling courses at university.

When will the initiative conclude?

• This funding will be ongoing.