ABSTUDY - the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Study Scheme
ABSTUDY provides a means-tested living allowance and other supplementary benefits to eligible secondary and tertiary students. Primary students living at home and aged 14 years or more on 1 January in the year of study may also be eligible for assistance. ABSTUDY is delivered by Centrelink 
For more information about ABSTUDY you can go into any Centrelink officer or call 13 2317.
Indigenous Education Programmes 2005-2008 forms and additional information
This pack will assist providers wishing to apply for funding under the Australian Government's Indigenous Education Programmes for 2005-2008, in particular Supplementary Recurrent Assistance (SRA) and Indigenous Tutorial Assistance Scheme (ITAS) In-class Tuition and Year 10, 11 and 12 Tuition. The Indigenous Education Programmes Provider Guidelines 2005-2008 provide further details on eligibility and should be consulted when completing this pack.
- Indigenous Education Programmes Provider Application Pack 2005 PDF
(424.5 KB, 8 pages)
- Homework Centre Application for Funding (PDF (282.4 KB, 8 pages)
Parent School Partnership Initiatives (PSPI) forms
- Parent School Partnership Initiatives Application (PDF (289.7 KB, 4 pages)
ITAS forms:
- ITAS Individual Tuition Year 10, 11 and 12 PDF (208.3 KB, 2 pages)
- ITAS 2005-2006 Tutor Nomination PDF (161.4 KB, 2 pages)
- ITAS First Contract Package PDF (52.6 KB, 1 page)
- ITAS Conditions of Contract PDF (78.2 KB, 4 pages)
- ITAS Tutor Code of Conduct PDF (65.5 KB, 2 pages)
- ITAS Tutor Payment and Superannuation PDF (111.9 KB, 1 page)
- ITAS Claim Form PDF (132.3 KB, 1 page)
- ITAS Tutor Work Plan PDF (86.8 KB, 1 page)
- ITAS Mid-Contract Tuition Assessment PDF (185.6 KB, 3 pages)
- ITAS End of Contract Tuition Assessment PDF (201.0 KB, 3 pages)
Additional Information
- Indigenous Education Funding 2005-2008 Summary Brochure: PDF (75.3 KB, 2 pages)
- Indigenous Education Strategic Initiatives Programme (IESIP) PDF (152.6 KB, 2 pages)
- Indigenous Tutorial Assistance Scheme (ITAS) PDF (148.4 KB, 2 pages)
- Whole of School Intervention Strategy PDF (147.8 KB, 2 pages)
Review of the Indigenous Education Direct Assistance (IEDA) programme
The report of this Review addresses the appropriateness, effectiveness and efficiency of the following IEDA programme elements:
- the Aboriginal Tutorial Assistance Scheme (ATAS)
- the Aboriginal Student Support and Parent Awareness (ASSPA) programme
- the Vocational and Educational Guidance for Aboriginals Scheme (VEGAS).
The Review recommended a series of improvements to these programme elements.
Year published: 2000
HTML, PDF (300.5 KB, 85 pages)
Evaluation of the National Indigenous English Literacy and Numeracy Strategy (NIELNS)
NIELNS was the subject of an evaluation during 2002 and 2003. The evaluation team assessed provider reports, talked to key stakeholders and conducted a series of case studies. The evaluation concluded that 75% of projects, representing 75% of total funding, had either achieved their targets or made an improvement on their baseline.
Year published: 2004
Breaks in the Road - Evaluation of the Indigenous Youth Partnership Initiative
Eighteen projects were funded under the Indigenous Youth Partnership Initiative (IYPI). The initiative formed part of the broader National Indigenous English Literacy and Numeracy Strategy (NIELNS). The projects were diverse in nature but in essence were all aimed at assisting young Indigenous people to make successful transitions to adult life. This involved a 'whole of community' approach to promote effective assistance and support for Indigenous youth to remain at or return to school, and to provide a reliable pathway from schooling to training, employment and onto independence.
Year published: 2003
- Report: PDF (414.2 KB, 157 pages), RTF
(1.6 MB, 157 pages)
- Executive summary: PDF (80.1 KB, 13 pages), RTF (429.7 KB, 13 pages)
Review of ATAS Bulk Funding Arrangements to Higher Education and Boarding Schools, funded under the Indigenous Education Direct Assistance (IEDA) programme
The Review analyses how the Department administers the Aboriginal Tutorial Assistance Scheme (ATAS) bulk-funding. The report focuses on the Terms of Reference which were:
- developing a performance framework to move to an outcomes focus, with links to the Indigenous Education Strategic Initiatives Programme (IESIP);
- examining funding levels and formulae allocations;
- ascertaining whether the National Office of DEST is best placed to deliver ATAS bulk funding, or whether it should be devolved to the Department's Indigenous Education Unit network; and
- identifying examples of best practice which can be used to promote bulk-funded ATAS.
Year published: 2003
PDF (126.0 KB, 28 pages), RTF (236.4 KB, 28 pages)
Review of the Independent Indigenous Vocational Education and Training Providers
The Review examines funding for the independent Indigenous vocational education and training providers, the services they provide, how service provision might be improved, and compares the outcomes of this sector with the vocational education and training sector as a whole.
Year published: 2003
PDF (161.3 KB, 31 pages), RTF (1.7 MB, 31 pages)
Review of Indigenous Education Consultative Bodies and Indigenous Support Units
The Review was undertaken by Professor Mary Ann Bin-Sallik and Ms Sonia Smallacomb from the Faculty of Indigenous Research and Education, Northern Territory University.
It is the first review of the structure, operations and funding of seven Indigenous Education Consultative Bodies (IECBs) and three Indigenous Support Units (ISUs). The report proposes a number of recommendations and discusses a range of options to strengthen the effectiveness of the IECBs and ISUs.
Year published: 2003
PDF (330.9 KB, 44 pages), RTF (2.2 MB, 44 pages)
National Indigenous English Literacy and Numeracy Strategy (NIELNS)
NIELNS was launched by the Prime Minister in 2000 with the aim of improving Indigenous students’ literacy and numeracy outcomes. Some 265 initiatives are being implemented by education and training providers under NIELNS during 2001 – 2004.
Full Report
Working Together for Indigenous Youth (WTIY)
The Working Together for Indigenous Youth (WTIY) initiative aims to support local partnerships involving the community, business and education sectors to identify the barriers to a successful education experience for Indigenous secondary aged students, and develop solutions to overcome these barriers. The solutions, as mapped out in a locally developed holistic intervention plan, will provide support agencies with guidance on how to target their support programmes more effectively.
- A National Framework: PDF (341.1 KB, 8 pages)
- Reference Package: PDF (124.5 KB, 2 pages), RTF (33.6 KB, 2 pages).
Note: You need Acrobat Reader to read PDF files marked as 
.Free Acrobat PDF reader software is available for downloading from the DEST software page. See PDF TIPS for assistance on opening and printing PDF files, including information for the vision impaired.
Indigenous Education Strategic Initiatives Programme (IESIP) Preschool Profile and information
Preschool Profile form
The Preschool Profile is a guide that preschool teachers can use to measure the literacy and numeracy awareness and understanding of Indigenous and non-Indigenous preschool children and make informed judgements regarding their ability to move onto school in regards to these particular areas.
Although the Preschool Profile was designed for IESIP preschool providers to report the literacy and numeracy outcomes of their Indigenous students, the Profile can be used to report on and monitor non-Indigenous students because it is culturally inclusive.
Preschool profile form PDF (149.5 KB)
Year published: 2001
Teachers Notes
This document is a practical guide for using the profile providing examples of how preschool staff might determine a child's progress along a continuum against the Preschool Profile criteria. The document briefly touches on the links between current theory and the practical application of the Preschool Profile.
Teachers Notes PDF (801.7 KB)
Year published: 2001
Report of the Pilot Survey for the Preschool Profile
The Preschool Profile was piloted in a number of preschools across Australia, including remote, rural and urban areas, with students from diverse language backgrounds. The purpose of piloting the Profile was to determine its reliability and validity as an assessment instrument.
Report PDF (653.8 KB), RTF (856.5 KB)
Year published: 2001
Brochures for parents/caregivers
As well as support documentation for the Preschool Profile and Teachers notes, these brochures provide parents/care givers with information of how they can assist their preschool aged children to develop necessary skills to enjoy and participate in their time at preschool.
Year published: 2001
Indigenous Education Strategies in Higher Education 2001-2003
Under the Higher Education Funding Act 1988 higher education institutions are required to develop Indigenous education strategies. The publication of these strategies is an accountability measure. The strategies cover a wide range of activities all with the overall aim of improving educational outcomes by Indigenous people in higher education.
Year published: 2002.
Indigenous Education Strategies in Higher Education 2001-2003
No Shame Job - Careers in Health
A booklet for young Indigenous people thinking about a career in health. It has information about:
- occupations in health;
- scholarships;
- career information and guidance; and
- Indigenous health workers.
Year published: 2002
PDF (1.2 MB)
Better Practice in School Attendance - Improving the School Attendance of Indigenous Students
This study was undertaken by Professor Colin Bourke MBE, Monash University, Dr Ken Rigby and Ms Jenny Burden, University of South Australia, as a collaborative project involving the Centre for Indigenous Studies at Monash University. Drawing from an analysis of schools data, a literature review and consultations, the report outlines the patterns and characteristics of schools attendance of Indigenous students. It also discusses possible causes of non-attendance and strategies to improve attendance.
Year published: 2000
Report PDF (372.7 KB), RTF (1.0 MB)
2001 National Report to Parliament on Indigenous Education and Training
This is the first in a series of annual National Reports to Parliament on Indigenous Education and Training. It focuses on outcomes during 2001.
Year published: 2002
- Full report: PDF (2.2 MB)
- Split Report:
2002 National Report to Parliament on Indigenous Education and Training
This is the second in the series of annual National Reports to Parliament on Indigenous Education and Training. It focuses on the education and training outcomes in 2002 of the Indigenous Education Strategic Initiatives Programme (IESIP) which funds over 90 percent of Indigenous students in education and training in Australia.
Year published: 2003
- Full report: PDF (10.9 MB)
- Split Report:
- Introduction PDF (3.9 MB) RTF (978.4 KB)
- Executive Summary PDF (98.8 KB) RTF (62.5 KB)
- Chapter One: About the 2002 National Report to Parliament on Indigenous Education and Training PDF (587.3 KB) RTF (57.7 KB)
- Chapter Two: Preschool PDF (873.9 KB) RTF (1.6 MB)
- Chapter Three: School PDF (730.8 KB) RTF (7.4 MB)
- Chapter Four: Vocational Education and Training PDF (900.6 KB) RTF (2.9 MB)
- Chapter Five: Higher Education PDF (1.3 MB) RTF (5.2 MB)
- Chapter Six: National Programmes PDF (393.2 KB) RTF (71.7 KB)
- Chapter Seven: Payments under the Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Act 2000 and other payments PDF (404.2 KB) RTF (1.2 MB)
- Appendix 1: The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Policy PDF (286.8 KB) RTF (12.0 KB)
- Appendix 2: Some important steps in the development of IESIP PDF RTF (53.1 KB)
- Appendix 3: Preschool statistical tables PDF (324.3 KB) RTF (142.8 KB)
- Appendix 4: School statistical tables PDF (355.1 KB) RTF (2.9 MB)
- Appendix 5: Vocational Education and Training statistical tables PDF (196.6 KB) RTF (198.5 KB)Appendix 6: Higher education statistical tables PDF (347.6 KB) RTF (1.2 MB)
- Appendix 7: Relevant websites PDF (399.8 KB) RTF (60.0 KB)
- Bibliography PDF (288.0 KB) RTF (15.3 KB)
Positive Self-Identity for Indigenous Students and its Relationship to School Outcomes
Presents the findings of a team of researchers from the Queensland University of Technology (Nola Purdie, Gillian Boulton-Lewis and John Fanshawe, Penny Tripcony and Andrew Gunstone). The project researched the relationship between school outcomes and the self-identities of young Indigenous Australians. It analyses the role of positive self-identity, devises a working definition of positive self-identity and suggests practical strategies for increasing the positive self-identity of Indigenous students in order to improve their school outcomes.
Year published: 2000
PDF (350.5 KB), RTF (1.2 MB)