Indigenous Australians' access to higher education: A Catholic university's response

Australia's Indigenous peoples represent 2.5% of the national population but this number is increasing at a faster rate than the national average of other demographic groups. The history of the Indigenous peoples is one of dispossession and displacement, and a loss of cultures and languages. Access to and participation in education at all levels, but especially higher education, holds the key to the full integration of this group in Australia's civic and political life and the nation's growth and development. Inspired by the call from Pope John Paul II to establish a new society for indigenous peoples, Australian Catholic University, in keeping with the social justice tradition of the Catholic Church, has sought to widen the access to and encourage the participation of Indigenous students in its courses and the promotion of Indigenous perspectives in the University curriculum. The university has recommitted itself to ensuring that Australia's Indigenous peoples have access to the University and are provided with the support and encouragement to facilitate successful completes of the courses they undertake. This article explores the issue of access with an in-depth case study.