Indigenous students
Learn together, grow together
Deakin is committed to advancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education, empowering the next generation of leaders to succeed. Study at a university that values your culture and traditions.
Supporting Indigenous inclusion and success at Deakin
Inclusion of Australia’s First Nations Peoples in higher education is a core principle at Deakin University. We prioritise Indigenous entry pathways and provide dedicated student support to attract, retain and enhance the success of Indigenous students. Our curriculum respectfully integrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge across all courses.
Study options
Deakin offers courses that are directly relevant to the lives of First Nations Peoples and their communities. All students are welcome to take electives covering Indigenous Australian history and culture.
Course pathways
We offer alternate pathways to bring Indigenous students into higher education, including through the National Indigenous Knowledges Education Research Innovation (NIKERI) Institute.
Student support
As the #1 Victorian university for student support, we offer targeted financial and study support. Counsellors are available for culturally safe and respectful personal support.
Acknowledgement of Country
With campuses on Wadawurrung Country, Eastern Maar Country and Wurundjeri Country, we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of lands and waterways. We pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging.
The Deakin Indigenous Strategy builds on the three-and-a-half-decades that the University has been a lighthouse for many First Nations Peoples who sought liberation for their families, communities and themselves through education.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Indigenous
NIKERI Institute
The National Indigenous Knowledges Education Research Innovation (NIKERI) Institute has a proud 35-year history of supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People through community-based education programs. Studying through NIKERI offers a unique experience compared to traditional Deakin courses.
Culturally appropriate course delivery and support
NIKERI offers courses in fields that support Indigenous communities, such as health and education. The delivery is adapted to be supportive, culturally respectful and flexible, considering the obligations and commitments students have to their home communities.
Indigenous studies units for all students
Indigenous-focused electives are available to all students interested in deepening their understanding of Australia’s First Peoples, providing valuable insights into Indigenous cultures, histories and contemporary issues.
Scholarship support
Deakin is proud to offer a diverse range of scholarships designed to support Indigenous students throughout their university journey. Scholarships are available across all study levels, including PhD programs.
Indigenous education history
Indigenous education at Deakin started in 1986 with the Koorie Teacher Education Program, initiating our commitment to supporting Indigenous students through community-based programs that balance education with family, work, and community responsibilities.
Deakin Indigenous Strategy
The Deakin Indigenous Strategy 2023–2028 (PDF, 3.1MB) builds on our rich heritage. While recognising there is still much to be done, we are committed to continuous improvement and empowering the voice and influence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
Delama Dja Walk
Delama Dja, meaning 'embrace Country' in Wadawurrung language, invites visitors on a self-guided walk through Deakin's Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus. Opened in 2024, the Delama Dja Walk highlights Indigenous stories, history and ways of knowing, encouraging connection to the land, waterways and skies of our campus.
Unlocking the power of Indigenous Knowledge
Join Tyson Yunkaporta, Aboriginal scholar, author and founder of Deakin's Indigenous Knowledge Systems Lab, as he explores how Indigenous ways of thinking can offer powerful solutions to the issues shaping our world.
Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our University rankings page.
We deliberately use the terms Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Indigenous, First Nations, First Peoples interchangeably and in doing so acknowledge that while people have personal preferences, none of these terms are perfect and with that imperfection each carry nuanced residual forms of colonial power. This content is created with the core value of respect.
Banner artwork: ‘Learning Together, Growing Together’ by Nathan Patterson
Contact us
We’re here to support you. If you have any questions or want to speak to someone about your study options, you can contact us by phone or email.
NIKERI Institute
+61 3 5227 2538
nikeri@deakin.edu.au
Future students
1800 693 888
