Albanese Government Announces More Support for First Nations Students

PRESS RELEASE | 11 July 2024

The Albanese Government is providing funding to two First Nations organisations to support more students to succeed at school and beyond.

The Government is investing $4 million to support the GO Foundation’s scholarships, which support Indigenous students to succeed in school and prepare for the workforce.

The Government is also investing an additional $4.5 million to support the Aurora Education Foundation’s Redefining Indigenous Success in Education (RISE) initiative.

Since the GO Foundation’s creation in 2009, it has awarded more than 1,700 scholarships to Indigenous young people across 100 schools and universities.

This funding will allow the GO Foundation to have deeper engagement with their students over the next four years. The GO Scholarship Program includes cultural workshops, access to wider opportunities including internships and help to cover educational costs.

The Aurora Education Foundation supports Indigenous high school students through tutoring, camps and mentoring programs. In 2024, the RISE program supported 541 students across 49 schools.

“Aurora’s Redefining Indigenous Success in Education (RISE) initiative imagines a system where we recognise and value Indigenous success in all its forms – a system where we leverage the value of Indigenous knowledges and traditions that have sustained our people and this continent for millennia. The Government’s investment in RISE demonstrates trust in this vision, and a recognition that Indigenous organisations and communities know what’s best for our people,” says Aurora Education Foundation CEO, Leila Smith.

“We have so much to gain from championing Indigenous definitions of success in education and tapping into the potential of Indigenous-led data to influence real change and better outcomes. I am excited about what impact the Government’s investment will have, not only on today’s Indigenous students but also generations to come.”

The funding will continue the Albanese Government’s contribution to help the Foundation expand its RISE Indigenous education initiative from more than 450 students up to 800 students.

Minister for Education Jason Clare said of the new funding: “Education is one of the most important tools we have to break down disadvantage and open the door of opportunity. The GO Foundation and Aurora Education Foundation do great work supporting Indigenous students to succeed at school and beyond and this funding will help them reach more young people. This is all about building a better and fairer education system.”

Minister of Indigenous Affairs Linda Burney said: “We know that education is the key to empowering young people to dream big and build great careers. GO Foundation provides the support for young Australians to be strong in their culture and succeed at school, training, and work. And Aurora Education Foundation is doing important work to improve the system so that all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders can thrive.”

Today’s announcement builds on the Government’s commitment to work with Indigenous organisations and help First Nations students thrive in their education.

More information about the GO Foundation is available online. Read more about the RISE Project here.