Student services

First Nations student services

Culturally safe support and resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

First Nations student services

About First Nations student support

We offer Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students tailored programs and services. You can access culturally safe support, as well as scholarships, study help, peer mentoring and more.

For general enquiries, email FirstNationsEnquiries@adelaideuni.edu.au or call (08) 8302 9195.

You can also follow us on Instagram and Facebook.  

Partner with us

Would your organisation like to share information, meaningful opportunities and experiences with First Nations students?

Examples include information sessions, internships, scholarships, community or cultural projects and other initiatives that support student success, connection and career development.

To help with planning, coordination and promotion, please submit your expression of interest at least four weeks in advance. If you have a preferred date and time, include them in the description section of the form.

Submit an expression of interest

Student support services

First Nations Student Support Officers

Each officer is aligned to a college, coordinating resources and events for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Once you enrol, you'll be connected with a dedicated officer who can help you navigate university life.

Meet the team

Counselling support

Free, confidential counselling for anything affecting your studies or wellbeing. An Aboriginal counsellor is also available for culturally tailored support. For more information, email kurraka@adelaide.edu.au or use the link below.

Book counselling

Accommodation assistance

Explore student and subsidised housing, residential colleges and private rentals. Our Accommodation Service can help you find somewhere that suits your needs and budget.

Contact Accommodation Services

Learning support resources

Elevate Tutorial Program

A free service matching you with academic tutors in your area of study. Your tutor can help with coursework, referencing, research skills, exam preparation and broader study techniques.

 

Explore the program

Internship opportunities

We partner with CareerTrackers, a national nonprofit, to offer multi-year paid internships in the public and private sectors, year-round career guidance, mentoring and world-class professional development.

Explore CareerTrackers

Study spaces

Wirringka Study Centres offer culturally safe study spaces at Adelaide City (East and West), Magill, Mawson Lakes, Mount Gambier and Whyalla. The University also has off-campus study centres in regional and remote locations.

Find a study space

Peer Mentoring Program

A free service supporting new undergraduates (mentees) transition into university life, while helping continuing students (mentors) build leadership skills. Mentees and mentors connect face-to-face and online, with social activities throughout the academic year.

Email us

Financial assistance

Financial support services

We can help you access scholarships, Commonwealth assistance and paid internships. Study costs vary by program, and all undergraduate degrees are ABSTUDY-approved.

Contact us

Scholarships

Apply for undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships and grants offered by the University, plus opportunities funded by industry and non-profit organisations.

 

Find scholarships

Respectful engagement

Adelaide University is committed to fostering a culturally safe, respectful and inclusive environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

Our Yurirka guide gives practical guidance on respectful communication, terminology, cultural protocols and engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples across the University.

Download Yurirka guide (PDF)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identification and confirmation

Find out what Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identification means at Adelaide University, when you may need a Confirmation of Aboriginality, and where to get support.

The First Nations Portfolio is developing a Confirmation of Aboriginality Procedure for staff and students. A separate protocol for staff and for students will support it.

With the support of Commonwealth funding and University resources, a range of services, scholarships, and employment opportunities are available to individuals who identify as Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, or both.

Confirmation of Aboriginality is the process by which an individual provides formal recognition of their Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage. Read more about proof of Aboriginality.

Government agencies and Aboriginal community‑controlled organisations commonly use three criteria:

  • having Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent
  • identifying as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person
  • being recognised as such by the community in which the person lives, or has previously lived

When you apply, you can tell us your Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander identity by selecting the relevant option in your SATAC application or during the myEnrolment admission process. You don't need to provide formal confirmation documents at admission.

Some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander scholarships may ask for a Confirmation of Aboriginality. Each scholarship's guidelines list its requirements.

Under the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (SA), Section 56(2), some roles may be identified Aboriginal positions, open only to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. For these roles, the Adelaide University People and Culture team will ask you to complete a Confirmation of Aboriginality process or provide verified genealogical evidence.

How you provide confirmation of Aboriginality depends on your situation.

If you’re a current student
Complete the Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent declaration form, available on the Student forms page.

If you’re applying through SATAC
Complete the Statutory Declaration for First Nations applicants (PDF) and sign it in front of an authorised witness, such as a Justice of the Peace. The form lists who can be a witness.

Contact details for Justices of the Peace are available on:

If you need support
You can get support from community-controlled organisations, such as:

Nunkuwarrin Yunti

Kura Yerlo

 

Contact First Nations support

For general enquiries, email FirstNationsEnquiries@adelaideuni.edu.au or call (08) 8302 9195

Call toll free 1800 651 763 (country and interstate) 

For matching with an Elevate Tutor email FirstNationsTutoring@adelaideuni.edu.au

NamePositionPhoneEmail
Mrs Leata ClarkeManager, First Nations Student Support, City East(08) 830 29218leata.clarke@adelaide.edu.au
Ms Cindy LarkinsTeam Lead, First Nations Student Support, City East(08) 830 20121cindy.larkins@adelaide.edu.au
Mr Sreng TangAdministration Support Officer, City East(08) 8302 6703sreng.tang@adelaide.edu.au
Mrs Tracey AgiusAdministration Support Officer, City East(08) 831 33623tracey.agius@adelaide.edu.au
Ms Amy PfitznerCoordinator: First Nations Tutorial Program, City East(08) 8302 7157amy.pfitzner@adelaide.edu.au
Ms Marissa LumasagFirst Nations Peer Mentoring Program, City East(08) 831 30072marissa.lumasag@adelaide.edu.au
Ms Deborah PuroFirst Nations Student Support Officer, City East(08) 831 34614deborah.puro@adelaide.edu.au
Mrs Dani CarterFirst Nations Student Support Officer, City East(08) 831 34535danielle.carter@adelaide.edu.au
On leave until March
Ms Lizzie MitchellFirst Nations Student Support Officer, City East Playford BuildingN/Aelizabeth.mitchell@adelaide.edu.au
Ms Anna StrzeleckiFirst Nations Student Support Officer, Mawson Lakes(08) 830 24691anna.strzelecki@adelaide.edu.au
Miss Delise SampsonFirst Nations Student Support Officer, Port Lincoln(08) 830 26403delise.sampson@adelaide.edu.au
Mr Gilbert RigneyFirst Nations Student Support Officer, Mount Gambier(08) 830 28907gilbert.rigney@adelaide.edu.au
Ms Rachael AndersonFirst Nations Student Support Officer, Whyalla(08) 830 26179
0403 161 115		rachael.anderson@adelaide.edu.au
Mr Sam WilliamsFirst Nations Student Support Officer, Magill(08) 830 25303sam.williams@adelaide.edu.au