First Nations enrolment has hit a new milestone at Western Sydney University, and it means more than just participation in lecture theatres and classes, but future impact in anything from nursing and health to STEM, business and education.
1,000 Indigenous students are enrolled at WSU, something the university is reporting as a landmark figure and first for Sydney-based universities.
"Reaching 1,000 students represents far more than enrolment growth - it reflects increased access, participation, achievement and success for Indigenous students," Professor Michelle Trudgett said, "We are incredibly proud of all of our students and graduates, whose aspirations, achievements and contributions continue to strengthen our University community."
Professor Trudgett is WSU's Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Indigenous Leadership.
Indigenous student enrolment at the university has increased from 818 students in 2023 to the current number as of this month.
Within this, 617 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students have completed studies at WSU since 2022.
Nationally, between 2011 and 2023 the number of First Nations people enrolled universities close to doubled — from 11,800 to 23,300 — and higher education course completions increased from 1,800 to 3,800.
In 2023, Indigenous students represented 2.2 per cent of the domestic higher education student population, per the Department of Education) — still below population parity.
Professor Trudgett said WSU's milestone "is underpinned by a strong commitment to Indigenous students achieving their educational and career aspirations. The sustained growth highlights the impact of culturally responsive programs and our sector-leading Indigenous-led support models that enable students to thrive throughout their university journey".
Nursing, medicine, education (primary), science, psychology, and business are among the most popular programs enrolled in by Indigenous students at WSU.
The university also has its dedicated Badanami Centre for Indigenous Education aimed at utilising a strengths-based approach to empower students with support, guidance, cultural mentoring and connection, career development and leadership from the classrooms into early career through a culturally safe environment.
WSU also engages with First Nations young people in years 7-12 at more than 75 schools in western Sydney communities and the Blue Mountains through its Pathways to Dreaming program, and offers a Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Entry Program admission alternative, connecting students to Badanami.
"As an anchor institution for our region, we have a responsibility to empower Indigenous students from high school through their university journey, and into successful careers," WSU Vice-Chancellor and President Professor George Williams said.
Our commitment to the next generation of Indigenous leaders is deep, with Indigenous knowledges and excellence underpinning our teaching, research, and community engagement."
Within WSU's 2026-2030 Indigenous Strategy they identify aims to support Indigenous leadership and governance and truth-telling efforts, increase Indigenous learning and teaching through the curriculum, and circle an Indigenous enrolment percentage of 3.2 per cent of all enrolled domestic students.
Another objective is Indigenous staff make up 3.8 per cent of all ongoing and fixed-term staff at the university.
