A work experience program will return to Swinburne University in July, giving Indigenous students a chance to explore the world of astrophysics.

The Indigenous Astrophysics Work Experience Program is designed for Year 10 to 12 students, combining hands-on science with Aboriginal knowledge systems and oral traditions.

Gomeroi astrophysicist and science communicator Krystal De Napoli is one of the program's mentors, which is supported by Swinburne's Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing, the Moondani Toombadool Centre, and OzGrav - the ARC Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery.

"We are the world's first astronomers," Ms De Napoli said.

"Our astronomy is so rich... we even have home to some of the world's earliest observatories... it's in the foundation of a lot of our knowledge systems."

Ms De Napoli said the program was created to overcome barriers which often prevent Indigenous students from pursuing pathways in science.

"There is an issue of accessibility for education and educational resources for a lot of mob," she said.

"Hosting an astrophysics work experience program where students can come along, learn about what it looks like to be a researcher and celebrate our legacy is about creating access."

Students are not selected based on academic transcripts.

Instead, they are asked to submit a short statement explaining their interest in the program.

"Even if a student hasn't had the best attendance record or grades, the passion that comes through in those paragraphs always leads to the best experience," Ms De Napoli said.

The program includes astrophysics research tasks, coding, facility tours, and direct mentoring from Indigenous scientists.

Participants will be paid $50 per day, with funding available to assist with travel costs.

Ms De Napoli said the program is not just about pursuing astrophysics, but helping students explore their interests and future study options.

"Some students left excited to go to uni, some figured out that science isn't for them - but it helped them understand their goals better," she said.

She also acknowledged that terms like 'astrophysicist' can feel intimidating.

"That is a regular response, which I think excludes people, because it makes it sound like it's something that's unobtainable," she said.

"It's just space - we're exploring so many different things."

Ms De Napoli said it is vital for Indigenous students see themselves represented in science and research environments.

"Historically there have been ideas of what a scientist is, and predominantly it has excluded everyone who's not an old grey-haired white male," she said.

"When you have diverse perspectives and different values represented in a workplace, it always leads to richer and better outcomes."

She said Indigenous oral traditions hold detailed records of astronomical events that Western science is only now beginning to understand.

"There are so many secrets to unlock about the history of this country, and only the entirety of Australia can benefit from Indigenous perspectives."

The program will run from 14 to 18 July at Swinburne University of Technology's Hawthorn campus.

Expressions of interest in the program are now open.