Education and training

This theme reflects the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody’s (RCIADIC) finding that education is foundational to improving life outcomes of Aboriginal people and preventing their involvement with the criminal justice system.

RCIADIC recommended support for Aboriginal families and students to overcome cultural barriers to attendance in early childhood and schools. Critical to this is the delivery of widespread cultural awareness training for educators, justice professionals, and government staff. Other recommendations targeted curriculum reform, Aboriginal-led teaching programs, culturally responsive schooling, and equitable pathways to employment and leadership. RCIADIC stressed that punitive approaches to education disengagement and class non-attendance were ineffective and that culturally safe, community-informed responses were essential. The commissioners also recognised the importance of adult employment and training programs.

Since RCIADIC, Victoria has implemented several initiatives, including the Marrung: Aboriginal Education Plan 2016–2026. The Koorie Education Workforce have created cultural safety training programs across education and justice systems. Court Services Victoria has also expanded cultural competency programs for staff and judicial officers. However, the AJC and Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Incorporated (VAEAI), found persistent issues that include inconsistent implementation of individual education plans and student support groups, under-resourced Koorie Engagement Support Officers, and failures to define or measure cultural safety according to Aboriginal community standards.