Support for Indigenous students to finish school

The Federal Government is to invest $35 million in two programs to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

The Clontarf Foundation will receive $33.6 million to support up to 12,500 First Nations boys and young men to continue their schooling education in 2026.

A further $1.5 million will be provided to the MultiLit program under the Scaling Up Proven Primary Reading Programs.

This funding extension will allow MultiLit to continue to deliver its programs across Australia in 42 regional and remote primary schools with a majority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students until the end of the 2026.

The Clontarf Foundation encourages boys and young men to improve their confidence, school engagement, year 12 attainment and post‑school pathways.

It provides in-school support, as well as before and after school activities and has an established record in improving student engagement, through increased attendance, retention and overall academic performance.

In 2023, the Clontarf Foundation reported that 836 young men completed Year 12, and 86 per cent of young men who completed Year 12 in 2022 remained in jobs or further education 12 months after leaving school.

“The work the Clontarf Foundation is doing for young Indigenous boys is great. They are increasing attendance rates and helping more Indigenous students finish school and go on to TAFE or university,” Education Minister Jason Clare said.

“MultiLit is evidence-based and helping more Indigenous students in rural and remote Australia read and write.”