Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement

 

At Western, we believe that higher education should be accessible to all. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education is a key priority for us here at Western. Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders and educators, the school sector and other stakeholders, we aim to build the educational aspirations, skills and confidence of Aboriginal school students, and support their participation and champion their success in higher education and other beneficial post-school career pathways.

 

Programs

We offer a range of programs that incorporate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural enrichment as an essential element and involve current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to be mentors and role models to our new and prospective students entering the university.

From our Heartbeat program aimed at and designed for primary school age students with its focus on health, medicine and related sciences. To our Pathways To Dreaming program aimed at broadening the horizons and aspirations of high school students, we aim to encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to see higher education as a viable choice in their future.

Heartbeat

Western Sydney University’s Heartbeat program raises the aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary school students in Year 3 to Year 6 from Greater Western Sydney. The program, consists of on-campus visits and in-school presentations each year. Heartbeat raises students’ awareness of their well-being, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander related health issues and inspires them to consider careers in medicine, health and science. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture is also embedded in the program and delivered by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, staff, students and a range of community and industry partners.

Pathways To Dreaming

Western’s Pathways To Dreaming program is designed to engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Year 8 to Year 12 in the opportunities that await them in higher education. Mentored by current Western Sydney University students and alumni of the university, high school students are supported and encouraged to achieve their educational aspirations.

Students take part in academic and cultural enrichment workshops at the university while in-school programs are devised, implemented and facilitated by university staff and mentors.

The program currently runs in 38 South-Western and Western Sydney high schools, targeted areas include Campbelltown, Liverpool, Penrith, Seven Hills, Mt Druitt and Blue Mountains regions.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pathway Program

Western Sydney University is committed to providing higher education pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. If you are interested in applying for a Western Sydney University undergraduate program (excluding the Doctor of Medicine) and are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, we accept applications throughout the year with assessment workshops scheduled in May, August and November.

Doctor of Medicine

The Doctor of Medicine has an application pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait people.

Block Mode

Western also offers a Block Course Program that give students a flexible program of study. The block model is designed to help students stay in their community to fulfil their family, career, cultural and social responsibilities. The Bachelor of Education (Primary) - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education is offered in block mode.

Students are required to attend up to six residential on-campus visits each year, lasting between one and three weeks. Travel, accommodation and meal costs to attend are funded by ABSTUDY for approved students.

Badanami Centre for Indigenous Education

The Badanami Centre for Indigenous Education was established to provide support and encouragement for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, with one located on every campus. Some of the services provided through Badanami include Scholarship support, Tutoring for Success, Learning Support and Student services and facilities.

Our Campuses

Western Sydney University acknowledges the Darug Nation whose land our Liverpool campus is located on. Western Sydney University pays respect to their elders past, present and emerging and extends that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of the lands on which our campuses are built.

Located in Macquarie Street in the heart of the Liverpool CBD this purpose-built facility services the needs of more than 1,000 students.

Top facilities:

• 3,000sqm campus
• High-quality, modern, technology-rich and highly-flexible space
• Whole floor library facility
• Home to Launch Pad smart business centre, which brings together government, corporate and University expertise and provides mentorship to start-ups and early stage businesses

Find out more information about this campus here

Western Sydney University acknowledges the Burramattagal People of the Darug Nation whose land our Parramatta City campus is located on. Western Sydney University pays respect to their elders past, present and emerging and extends that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of the lands on which our campuses are built.

Building 1 - Peter Shergold Building
169 Macquarie Street, Parramatta NSW, 2150

Building 2 - Engineering Innovation Hub
6 Hassall Street, Parramatta NSW, 2150

Building 3
100 George Street, Parramatta NSW, 2150

Top facilities:

• Sydney Graduate School of Management
• Four interactive, technology-enabled learning studios per level
• More than 120 student PCs available
• Collaborative and quiet study spaces
• Library hub
• Group study rooms with screen sharing and video conferencing
• Free shuttle bus to Parramatta South
• Launch Pad - technology business incubator

Find out more information about this campus here

Western Sydney University acknowledges the Bidigal People of the Dharawal Nation (also referred to as the Tharawal Nation) whose land our Campbelltown campus is located on. Western Sydney University pays respect to their elders past, present and emerging and extends that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of the lands on which our campuses are built.

The Campbelltown campus, located in the historic Macarthur region of south-west Sydney, offers a unique balance between city and rural lifestyles.

Top facilities:

• Purpose-built School of Medicine
• National Institute for Complementary Medicine (NICM)
• The UniClinic, a state-of-the-art clinical training facility for health science students
• Anatomy laboratories
• Nursing clinical practice unit

Find out more information about this campus here

Western Sydney University acknowledges the Burramattagal People of the Darug Nation whose land our Parramatta South campus is located on. Western Sydney University pays respect to their elders past, present and emerging and extends that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of the lands on which our campuses are built.

This campus offers a combination of heritage and contemporary buildings.

Top facilities:

• Institute for Culture and Society
• Nursing clinical practice unit
• Moot court
• Computing laboratories
• New Science and Psychology building
• New purpose-built production studio, design and creative arts facility
• New Engineering precinct
• Advanced Materials Fabrication and Characterisation facilities
• New Industrial Design Centre

Find out more information about this campus here

Western Sydney University acknowledges the Boorooberongal People of the Darug Nation whose land our Hawkesbury campus is located on. Western Sydney University pays respect to their elders past, present and emerging and extends that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of the lands on which our campuses are built.

Situated in Richmond in the Hawkesbury River Valley, north-west of Sydney, this stunning location at the foot of the Blue Mountains is an ideal place to study.

Top facilities:

• Food Processing Pilot Plant
• Dedicated Crime Scene House
• Nursing clinical practice unit
• Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment
• Animal Science facilities – including the reptile house and small marsupial house

Find out more information about this campus here

Western Sydney University acknowledges the Darug Nation whose land our Kingswood campus is located on. Western Sydney University pays respect to their elders past, present and emerging and extends that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of the lands on which our campuses are built.

Located over three sites in Kingswood and Werrington, the Penrith campus is renowned for its state-of-the-art facilities and scenic grounds.

Top facilities:

• Centre for Infrastructure Engineering
• Mechatronics and Robotics facility
• World-class music facilities
• Home of the Solar Car and Formula SAE Racing Car projects
• Advanced Manufacturing and 3D Print Hub
• New state of the art Library with world class facilities
• Psychology clinics
• Launch Pad - technology business incubator

Find out more information about this campus here

Other engagement opportunities

Looking for other ways to connect with Western? We also offer campus tours, presentations for Year 10, 11 and 12 students, and a range of on-campus events. It's a great chance to experience life at Western and see the unlimited opportunities waiting for you.

Contact Schools Engagement