The ATEC is committed to engaging with First Nations peoples in the design and implementation of its activities to ensure their perspectives inform the Commission’s work.
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First Nations Advisory Committee
A First Nations Advisory Committee (the Committee) will be established to provide advice and recommendations to the ATEC in relation to participation and outcomes for First Nations people in tertiary education.
The Committee, which will be chaired by the First Nations Commissioner, is expected to bring together distinguished leaders and First Nations representatives from across the higher education, research and governance sectors.
The creation of the Committee addresses stakeholder feedback from the Accord, which noted that establishment of a First Nations representative body would be seen as an important first steps towards First Nations people sitting at the heart of the tertiary education system. This approach also reflects the commitment to genuine partnership under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
The Committee is expected to be established before the end of 2026.
Indigenous Student Success Program
The Indigenous Student Success Program (ISSP) provides supplementary funding to universities to help students take on the demands of university and succeed.
Universities can offer scholarships, tutorial assistance, mentoring, safe cultural spaces and other personal support services to First Nations students using ISSP funding. The flexibility of the ISSP assists universities to tailor their services to match student needs.
ISSP funding is prioritised towards the support of First Nations students who are financially disadvantaged and/or from remote and regional areas.
The ISSP commenced in January 2017 and is administered under Part 2-2A of the Higher Education Support Act 2003. The development of the ISSP was informed by recommendations in the 2012 Review of Higher Education Access and Outcomes for Torres Strait Islander People.
Responsibility for the administration of the ISSP transitioned from the National Indigenous Australians Agency to the ATEC on 1 July 2025.
National Agreement on Closing the Gap
The National Agreement on Closing the Gap (the Agreement) was created to enable First Nations people and governments to work together to overcome the inequality experienced by First Nations people and achieve life outcomes equal to all Australians.
The Agreement includes four Priority reforms and 19 national socio-economic targets across 17 socio-economic outcome areas that impact life outcomes for First Nations peoples.
The work of the ATEC will seek to positively contribute towards the following Closing the Gap targets:
- Target 6: By 2031, increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 25-34 years who have completed a tertiary qualification (Certificate III and above) to 70 per cent, and
- Target 7: By 2031, increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth (15-24 years) who are in employment, education or training to 67 per cent.
