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    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at TAFE NSW

    An Indigenous student sits with a laptop on her lap, while she’s smiling wide at the camera. Behind her is a large window showing trees outside.

    With over 30,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students enrolled at TAFE NSW, your mob is stronger than ever. Everyone’s educational journey is unique, just like you. And we're here to support and guide you every step of the way.

    Aboriginal Cultural-specific courses

    Our Aboriginal courses are specifically designed for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and are taught in smaller groups.

    Our Aboriginal Cultural Programs include:

    • Aboriginal Cultural Education
    • Aboriginal Cultural Sites and Management
    • Aboriginal Languages
    • Aboriginal Studies and Mentoring
    • Cultural Arts
    • Indigenous Police Recruitment Our Way Delivery (IPROWD)
    Find a course
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    Healthcare for your community

    Be part of an industry that contributes to closing the gap and providing better health outcomes for your mob.

    Studying a Certificate III in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care, you’ll learn to:

    • be empowered to help First Nations people
    • gain valuable healthcare skills
    • contribute to your community’s well-being.
    Enrol now
    An Indigenous man wearing blue scrubs stands in a medical laboratory. He is looking at paperwork on the bench, while holding something to be tested in his hand.

    Indigenous police recruitment program

    The IPROWD program is an initiative designed to assist Indigenous participants throughout NSW to attain academic requirements to:

    • join the NSW Police Force
    • join the Australian Federal Police
    • gain other ongoing sustainable employment.

    The program has helped over 1000 people find stable careers in:

    • policing
    • justice
    • emergency services
    • further education.
    Learn about IPROWD
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    Share the beauty of your culture

    Inspire others to explore and appreciate the rich essence of your culture by sharing its stories, traditions, and heritage.

    With our Certificate III in Guiding (Cultural Tourism), you'll learn to:

    • lead tours, and

    • give engaging commentary.

    You’ll be able to share your insights about:

    • nature

    • Aboriginal Culture

    • heritage sites.

    Enrol now
    Three people kneel on a dry, cracked ground, examining a collection of stones. The guide holds up a rock while the others listen attentively.

    Make your passion work for you

    Working together with your mob

    An Indigenous mob sitting in a yarning semi circle, engaging in conversation. There is a round rug that they are sitting on around, leaves, plants and other culturally significant pieces.

    Services and support

    TAFE NSW offers a range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-specific support. Including advice on courses, fee exemptions and scholarships, customised study programs and dedicated study centres.

    A group of eight Aboriginal TAFE NSW workers smiling to the camera and wearing TAFE NSW shirts with a range of colourful Indigenous designs.

    Reconciliation Action Plan

    At TAFE NSW, we're all about creating a future Australia that learns from the past, celebrates diversity, and fights any form of racism. It's a place where everyone gets a fair go in education, training, and jobs.

    A group of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people stand and kneel holding their awards for their high achievements.

    Aboriginal student achievements

    With the support of TAFE NSW, your mob is making their mark and shining brightly across a range of fields. The TAFE NSW 2023 Gili Awards showcases just some of our recent success stories.

    Be deadly

    Folau Paul Talbot

    “The teachers were great … and the support was amazing."
    Folau Paul Talbot, a proud Gamilaroi man, has completed multiple studies in Dental Assisting. He wants to train as a dental prosthetist and one day be the Director of an Aboriginal Health Centre. He says, “I didn’t complete one certificate, I completed multiple.”

    Elizabeth ‘Aunty Beth’ Wright

    "I would not be where I am today without TAFE NSW"
    Elizabeth ‘Aunty Beth’ Wright, a proud Gamilaraay woman and an award-winning Aboriginal Cultures and Languages teacher at Dubbo Campus. Aunty Beth draws inspiration from her culture, family, friends and identity. She says, “TAFE NSW gave me the opportunity.”

    Andrew Saunders

    “It's more than getting a qualification, it's about connecting with mob."
    You’ve seen Andrew Saunders on Channel Nine's ‘The Block'. He is also making a difference for his mob as a proud Biripi man. He values his role as a leader in assisting Aboriginal students and creating a supportive learning environment at TAFE NSW.