The Albanese Labor Government will invest a further $35 million in two programs to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
The Clontarf Foundation will receive $33.6 million to support up to 12,500 First Nations boys and young men to continue their schooling education in 2026.
The Clontarf Foundation encourages boys and young men to improve their confidence, school engagement, year 12 attainment and post‑school pathways.
It provides in-school support, as well as before and after school activities.
The program has an established record in improving student engagement, through increased attendance, retention and overall academic performance.
In 2023, the Clontarf Foundation reported that 836 young men completed Year 12, and 86 per cent of young men who completed Year 12 in 2022 remained in jobs or further education 12 months after leaving school.
As part of the Albanese Labor Government's commitment to Closing the Gap, a further $1.5 million will be provided to the MultiLit program under the Scaling Up Proven Primary Reading Programs.
MultiLit delivers phonics-based programs that support primary school students to catch up in reading and early literacy.
This funding extension will allow MultiLit to continue to deliver its programs across Australia in 42 regional and remote primary schools with a majority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students until the end of the 2026.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education, Jason Clare:
"I want more kids to catch up, keep up and finish school.
"The work the Clontarf Foundation is doing for young Indigenous boys is great. They are increasing attendance rates and helping more Indigenous students finish school and go on to TAFE or university.
"MultiLit is evidence-based and helping more Indigenous students in rural and remote Australia read and write."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy:
"It's essential that our First Nations students get the support they need to complete year 12 and move into meaningful jobs or study after school.
"With a strong focus on school attendance, relationship building, academic outcomes and participation in society, Clontarf Foundation is helping young men develop the skills they need for life.
"For over two decades, MultiLit have been delivering data-driven programs to help First Nations students improve their reading and writing skills."
