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Fact SheetUpdate March 200411. Improving participation and outcomes for Indigenous peopleIndigenous people are under-represented in higher education, despite improvements over the last decade. Indigenous students represent 1.2 per cent of the domestic student population, but represent 1.9 per cent of the Australian population. A number of initiatives under the reform package will encourage greater Indigenous involvement in higher education policy development and provide additional financial assistance to higher education providers to improve outcomes for Indigenous people. Indigenous Support FundThe Australian Government supports activities to improve the participation and success of Indigenous people in higher education through the Indigenous Support Fund (ISF), which will provide $24 million to institutions in 2004. The amount of funding through ISF will be increased by a total of $10 million over three years by 2007 ($17 million by 2008) to enable higher education providers to provide greater support for Indigenous people. Based on advice provided through the 2002 Review of Higher Education consultations and to ensure a more effective programme, eligibility requirements have been improved and will include evidence of participation of Indigenous people in the decision-making processes of the higher education provider (which may include existence of an Advisory Committee on Indigenous Issues); existence of an institutional Indigenous Employment Strategy; and evidence of the implementation of enabling strategies for improving participation and completions for Indigenous students. Each higher education provider will be required to report on their expenditure of ISF funding and will have to indicate the amount of money provided to an Indigenous Support Centre (should one exist at the institution). The ISF will continue to be allocated according to a performance-based formula of 50 per cent for Indigenous student load, 35 per cent for Indigenous student progression and 15 per cent for award completions by Indigenous students. Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education will continue to receive its ISF allocation as a block grant. Indigenous Higher Education Advisory CouncilThe Australian Government currently has no formal mechanism for consultation with the Indigenous community on higher education issues. An Indigenous Higher Education Advisory Council is being established to advise the Minister and the Department of Education, Science and Training. The Council will also: make recommendations to the Minister for awards under the Indigenous Staff Scholarships programme; develop strategies for increasing the number of Indigenous staff employed in higher education institutions; and convene an annual Indigenous Higher Education Conference which will include discussion of research developments and policy directions, sector/institutional achievements, successful innovations and best practice measures; and presentation of the Neville Bonner Scholarship and the Indigenous Staff Scholarships. Funding of $262,000 per year will be provided for the Council, which will commence operations in the first half of 2004. Indigenous Staff ScholarshipsA strong and visible presence by Indigenous people in higher education reduces cultural isolation and heightens the potential for successful outcomes for Indigenous people studying or working in the higher education sector. Many Indigenous staff at Australia’s public higher education providers are also leaders and mentors to Indigenous people contemplating or undertaking study, and the demands of this role may limit their professional development opportunities. A scholarship programme will be established for Indigenous staff (academic or general) who have actively encouraged Indigenous students to participate in higher education and complete their courses. The scholarships will enable staff to take one year of leave from their employment with a higher education provider to undertake full-time higher education study in their chosen academic or professional area. This will recognise their commitment to assisting students in higher education and enhance their own academic/professional standing. Five national scholarships will be awarded per year, each providing up to $10,400 to cover tuition fees and/or student contribution amounts for that year, and a non-taxable stipend of $20,900 for each student. The scholarships will be awarded on merit as determined by the Minister following advice from the new Indigenous Higher Education Advisory Council, with priority given to people undertaking postgraduate awards and people who have not previously been in receipt of an Indigenous Staff Scholarship. Commonwealth Learning ScholarshipsThe Commonwealth Learning Scholarships programme is being introduced in 2004 to assist students from low socio-economic backgrounds with the costs associated with higher education. Scholarships are available to full-time undergraduate students who are Australian citizens or holders of permanent humanitarian visas. There are two scholarships – one for general educational costs and one for accommodation costs. Both are merit based and non-repayable. The allocation of Commonwealth Learning Scholarships to institutions takes into account their proportion of full-time low socio-economic HECS liable undergraduate students, and their student enrolments in the target equity groups. Institutions are responsible for the allocation of Commonwealth Learning Scholarships. The Australian Government provides guidelines for the allocation of these scholarships, however, individual institutions determine their own selection and offer processes. Some 26,000 full-time students from low socio-economic backgrounds and 2,500 full-time Indigenous students commence university studies each year. Many of these students face particular challenges in meeting their education costs. Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarships (CECS) have been introduced to provide such students with a scholarship of $2,000 per year for up to four years to assist with their education costs. Institutions will give special consideration to Indigenous students when allocating scholarships to ensure a fair proportion of scholarships are awarded to Indigenous students. In 2004, 2,500 CECS have been provided. By 2007, 5,075 new scholarships will be awarded each year and 17,635 students will be in receipt of a CECS. This increases to 5,105 new scholarships each year by 2008 and a total of 22,740 students will have received a CECS. The CECS will be funded at a cost of approximately $84 million over four years ($128 million over five years). Around 10,000 students from rural and isolated areas, many of whom are from low socio-economic and/or Indigenous backgrounds, move away from home each year to commence higher education. For many of these students and/or their parents, the cost of accommodation represents a significant burden. Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarships (CAS) will provide low income students from rural and regional areas with $4,000 per year for up to four years to assist them with accommodation costs when they move to undertake higher education. In 2004, 3,000 CAS have been provided. By 2007, 3,553 new scholarships will be awarded each year and approximately 13,595 students will be in receipt of a CAS. By 2008, 3,574 new scholarships will be awarded each year and 17,169 students will have received a CAS. The Australian Government will provide approximately $138 million over four years to the CAS programme ($199 million over five years). Contact DetailsMedia inquiries:Virginia Cook Other inquiries:Indigenous Support Fund and Indigenous Higher Education Advisory Council Indigenous Staff Scholarships Commonwealth Learning Scholarships Email: Backing Australia's Future
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Any comments or
queries should be sent to:
highered@dest.gov.au
Department of Education, Science and Training
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