Publication Date
2-6-2026
Subjects
Aboriginal education, Aboriginal peoples, Educational policy, Policy formation
Abstract
This is a joint submission made by Ninti One Limited and the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) to the development of the new First Nations Education Policy. The submission is grounded in a significant body of evidence derived from recent collaborative work, including the First Nations Teacher Strategy (FNTS), the Closing the Gap Schools Initiatives evaluation, and the VET Workforce Study. Insights are drawn directly from the lived experiences of First Nations students, educators, families, and communities with whom we work across our collective and independent projects. The paper presents recommendations across four interconnected focus areas to strengthen educational outcomes for First Nations peoples. Focus Area 1: Embedding culturally responsive curriculum and teaching practices calls for greater recognition of language diversity, cultural capability, cultural labour, and investment in First Nations education providers and research. Focus Area 2: Improving access to education services and transitions advocates for on-Country pathways, targeted supports, scholarships, and culturally responsive transition mechanisms. Focus Area 3: Creating culturally safe learning and working environments proposes a First Nations-led Cultural Safety Framework and stronger anti-racism accountability. Focus Area 4: Transforming education organisations to improve accountability emphasises Indigenous Data Sovereignty, shared decision-making, First Nations co-leadership, and safeguards against extractive uses of artificial intelligence. Together, these recommendations seek to create a culturally responsive, accountable, and equitable education system.
Recommended Citation
Ninti One., & Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER). (2026). First Nations Education Policy: Joint Response. https://research.acer.edu.au/policy_reform/12
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright Statement
All material presented in this publication is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence, except for: photographs, the organisation’s logo, branding, and trademarks, content or material provided by third parties, where CC BY 4.0 permissions have not been granted. You may copy, distribute, and adapt the publication, as long as you attribute Ninti One Limited ABN 28– 106–610–833 and Australian Council for Educational Research ABN 19–004–398–145, and
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