Indigenous Futures Fund

At Swinburne, reconciliation is core to our culture, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander self-determination and knowledges are embedded across the University. The Indigenous Futures Fund invests in that commitment — helping more First Nations students access, thrive in and complete their education, and go on to rewarding, productive lives.

For many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, study can be made harder by location, work, and family and community commitments. This fund helps remove those barriers, giving students across Australia an equal opportunity to learn — whether through a program run remotely in their own community, online, or on campus. Your support provides the practical and emotional support that helps students embrace life-changing opportunities and pursue their dreams.

This work is led by Swinburne's Moondani Toombadool Centre — meaning "embracing teaching and learning" in the Woiwurrung language of the Wurundjeri People — which is responsible for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander matters at the University, and is grounded in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges.

With your support, we can transform more lives and shape brighter futures for individuals, families and communities.

"When we invest in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, we transform lives — for individuals, families and communities." — Professor John Evans, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement), a Wiradjuri man

The Indigenous Futures Fund supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and the culturally safe education around them, including:

• Student success — practical and emotional support that helps First Nations students access study, thrive, and complete their education, before, during and after their time at Swinburne.

• Culturally safe teaching and learning — supporting the work of the Moondani Toombadool Centre to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges and decolonise curricula across vocational and higher education.

• Transformational experiences — igniting curiosity, critical thinking and personal growth through the most transformative learning experiences.

• Seeding career success — helping emerging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers and entrepreneurs get started, building a research and innovation community that reflects the face of modern Australia.

You can also choose to fund a named prize, celebrating the achievements of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander student at Swinburne.