Minister for Indigenous Australians
The Albanese Labor Government is investing an additional $45 million to extend funding for scholarship programs that support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
This investment will enable nine existing scholarship providers to continue delivering their successful programs which currently support over 2,200 high school students, the majority from remote and regional areas where access to secondary schooling is limited.
The scholarships provide critical support to First Nations students and their families by removing financial barriers to quality education.
Providers partner with a mix of government and non-government, day and boarding schools in remote, regional and metropolitan locations across Australia.
The program assists students to overcoming challenges that might otherwise prevent them from completing high school and transitioning into tertiary education and their chosen careers.
This funding builds on the Albanese Government's commitment to providing opportunities for First Nations young people and Closing the Gap in education, employment and life outcomes.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy
"This funding is about more than just education - it's about empowering the next generation of First Nations leaders and change-makers.
"These scholarship programs are essential in ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students not only succeed but excel.
"We're providing the support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students need to keep engaged in education, dream big and achieve their full potential."
Quotes attributable to scholarship provider MADALAH CEO, Laura Kirby
"Thanks to the Federal Government for continuing to fund MADALAH to facilitate life changing scholarship opportunities for Indigenous young people throughout Western Australia.
"Together, we will continue to ensure equal access to education, supporting young Indigenous students from predominantly remote and regional Western Australia to gain access to a high-quality education in Perth.
"At MADALAH we provide a holistic wraparound structure to ensure our students' connection to culture remains strong whilst they are schooling away from their Country, family and communities.
"We empower our young people to achieve excellence in life through education and we are very grateful to the Federal Government for this continued investment."
