Indigenous Australians and Higher Education: The Contemporary Policy Agenda

Abstract

Higher education potentially plays a critical role in realising a globally-engaged vision for Indigenous Australians in economic and social development. However, for this vision to be fulfilled a new policy regime is required – marking a break with an older policy paradigm of Indigenous higher education focused on growing participation. This new framework does not abandon the growth agenda for Indigenous participation in higher education, nor the equity model on which it was based. However, it does provide a much sharper focus on the quality of educational outcomes and the graduate opportunities that this provides. This chapter considers the experience of Indigenous higher education students, and argues that policy must broaden its scope. In particular, degree completions, ensuring access to professional courses including engineering and medicine, and supporting Indigenous graduates’ transition to employment are important elements of linking Indigenous higher education policy to economic and social impact. The development of Indigenous higher education policy must also be aligned with broader Indigenous policy agendas at the national level.