The Allan Labor Government is investing in lifting educational outcomes for First Nations students.
The Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll today announced applications are open for Education Liaison Officer grants for Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAPs) and the Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) sector.
Across the state, 27 Education Liaison Officers will work with the Department of Education's regional offices and schools to support learning and wellbeing outcomes for First Nations students.
The funding will also support RAPs and ACCOs in delivering services and programs, informed by the Strengthening Aboriginal Self-determination in Education(opens in a new window) report, released in May.
These self-determined services and programs will focus on areas such as strengthening student and family engagement in education, transition support, and embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures in the curriculum.
The Department of Education will invite RAPs to apply for funding, and ACCOs will take part in an Expression of Interest process.
The grants deliver on Labor's $51 million investment in First Nations education in the 2024/25 State Budget. The funding includes $31 million to increase the capacity of ACCOs to support education outcomes and inclusion. This follows $86.3 million invested by Labor in First Nations education through the Marrung: Aboriginal Education Plan, including funding for programs that support excellence, equity and wellbeing for Aboriginal students.
As stated by the Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll
"We're delivering the highest-ever single investment in Aboriginal education in our state's history."
"By investing in Education Liaison Officers, we're supporting those who know what works best for communities - Aboriginal people themselves - to improve learning and wellbeing for First Nations students."
As stated by Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc. General Manager Lionel Bamblett
"Every person has the right to self-determination. In Koorie education, for example, self-determination is about Koorie people determining their own pathways in life. VAEAI is based on the founding principles of self-determination."
"We look forward to seeing Local Aboriginal Education Consultative Groups, ACCOs, and RAPs, working together across the state to strengthen learning outcomes for Koorie students."
