Aboriginal Programs

Acknowledgement of Country

South Regional TAFE acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we operate and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters, and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

We provide services to the following Noongar Boodja

South Regional TAFE, continues to, and is committed to working collaboratively with Traditional Custodians within Noongar Country, the Pindjarup, Wilman, Kaniyang, Wardandi, Bibelmen, Koreng, Minang, Nyoongar, and Wadjari people of Noongar nation. These are the traditional lands in which we work closely.

Supporting Aboriginal students

Aboriginal Programs staff help students by providing the following services:

Course information and selection
Study assistance
Tutoring support
Mentoring
Abstudy application assistance
Fees and payment assistance

Specifically we provide a confidential and hassle free service working alongside our students and stakeholders in a professional and culturally sensitive manner at all times to:

Ensure all students commence their classes well equipped with knowledge and resources to make a positive start
Speak to lecturers to request additional leave when necessary for family and cultural commitments
Offer mentoring support, either as a group or on individual basis
Provide tutorial assistance on request, with hand-picked qualified tutors
Work with, and alongside, community groups and businesses to ensure quality outcomes for Aboriginal people.

As always, the priority of Aboriginal Programs is to support Aboriginal student enrolment and progression, and to ensure Aboriginal students enrolled with your portfolio receive the support they need to graduate successfully.

There are occasions when students struggle with financial issues relating to their study (for items such as fees and student materials). Aboriginal Programs can work confidentially with students and lecturers to resolve these problems.

Do you need additional resources to support your VET delivery to an Aboriginal organisation or employer? If so, Aboriginal Programs can work with you to identify how these resources can be provided.

Mentoring services

Provision of mentoring for Aboriginal students is recognised as a powerful support. We can work with lecturers and students to identify suitable mentors in either an individual or classroom-based capacity. Mentoring support services for both individual students and classroom groups will be provided by Aboriginal Programs staff. Staff are available to provide mentoring services in Albany and Katanning.

Aboriginal students occasionally experience problems which impact on their studies. If you are struggling, staff in the Aboriginal Programs branch can provide confidential support.

Aboriginal Tutorial Assistance Scheme

Many Aboriginal students can benefit from academic tutoring support. Aboriginal Programs administers the Aboriginal Tutorial Assistance Scheme (ATAS) which organises and funds one-to-one tutorial assistance.

If you have a student who would benefit from additional academic support, contact Aboriginal Programs. If you have the skills to deliver tutorial support, send us an email and let us know of your availability.

Program development support

Staff from the Aboriginal Programs branch work with the Aboriginal community and industry to identify opportunities to deliver customised programs leading to employment. If you have an idea for a program, then talk to us and we can help to bring it to fruition.

Work and Development Permit Scheme

South Regional TAFE has become a sponsor for the Work and Development Permit Scheme, a partnership initiative from the Department of Justice, Legal Aid WA and the Aboriginal Legal Service.

The Work and Development Permit Scheme helps people who are having difficulty paying off their court fines, by connecting them with a sponsor so their fines can be paid off through sponsored activities such as:

Unpaid work
Medical or mental health treatment, or counselling for an alcohol or drug use problem
Educational, vocational or life skills course
A mentoring program – for people under 25.

People wishing to join the scheme should phone the college’s Aboriginal Programs team operating in their area on the phone numbers listed below.

For more information, see the flyer (172 KB) (PDF document).

Want to know more, or have some suggestions?

► Freecall 1800 675 781 (Albany) or 1800 621 445 (Bunbury)

► Email AboriginalPrograms@srtafe.wa.edu.au

Or contact a team member of Aboriginal Programs

Name	Campus	Phone
Shirley Badger	Albany	6371 3779
Lexie Mortimer	Albany	6371 3873
Melissa Berrigan	Katanning	6371 3402
Beverly Thomson	Bunbury	6371 3427
Kim Narkle	Bunbury	6371 3102
Mandy Jensen	Esperance	6371 3569