Indigenous Knowledges

IRU recognises the legitimacy of Indigenous Knowledges and celebrates the significant contribution Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make to our member institutions and nation as a whole. The IRU members have many respected indigenous higher education staff. The senior members form the IRU Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Network, which meet regularly throughout the year to influence national policy development and lead IRU activities across member universities.

The members of the IRU have a long-standing commitment to be universities of choice for Indigenous students and staff.  The IRU Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Higher Education Statement of Intent was signed on 24 February 2014 and launched by The Hon Alan Tudge MP, the then Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister.

The IRU Statement of Intent sets out how the IRU members will implement a whole of university approach to improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and build understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and knowledge.

IRU members educate 24% of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders students. 2.6% of all our students are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders against a national parity target of 2.3% and overall sector achievement of 1.9%. 1.7% of IRU completions are by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders against overall sector achievement of 1.3%.

IRU members employ 17% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders staff working in Australian universities.