Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student support

At the University of Sydney, each faculty and school has dedicated academic advisers for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. If you don’t know how to find an advisor you can contact the Gadigal Centre.

Most of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student support services are located next to each other in the John Woolley Building on Camperdown Campus.

The Gadigal Centr­e and Yooroang Garang student support unit

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in any course can access support from The Gadigal Centre on Camperdown Campus. If you’re in first year the Mentoring Our Brothers and Sisters (MOBS) Program can connect you with current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

If you’re studying in the Faculty of Medicine and Health you can get support from the Yooroang Garang student support unit.

Both teams are always around for a yarn, or to provide pastoral or academic support. They also facilitate a range of social and cultural events to build community and wellbeing on campus.

Culturally safe spaces

Across the University there are some dedicated spaces for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. These spaces are for students to meet and study together, creating a sense of community on campus. To access these spaces, you will need to use your student card or contact The Gadigal Centre.

• John Woolley Building (A20) has a student common room (S243) with free computers, printing and photocopying facilities, a tutorial room, chill out area, and kitchen (stocked with some food during the semester for student use).
• Wingara Mura Research Library is also in the John Woolley Building.
• The office of the DVC Indigenous Strategy and Services (DVC-ISS) is also housed in the John Woolley Building.
• Edward Ford Building (A27) has an Indigenous Student Room for Sydney Medical School students.

Portfolio of Indigenous Strategy and Services (ISS)

The Deputy Vice Chancellor of Indigenous Strategy and Services, Professor Lisa Jackson-Pulver, manages the delivery of Indigenous programs and projects across the University. If you have any concerns about, or ideas on how to improve, the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at the University of Sydney, contact Professor Lisa Jackson-Pulver.

Coursework students

Indigenous Tutorial Assistance Scheme (ITAS)

Indigenous Tutorial Assistance Scheme (ITAS) provides tutoring support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander coursework students. Eligible students can access up to 2 hours of tutoring and study skills assistance per unit of study each week. You can apply by outlining your academic needs and the courses you need assistance with. If approved, you will be matched with an ITAS tutor who is best suited to your learning needs.

Research students

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research students can access pastoral and wellbeing support from both The Gadigal Centre and the Yooroang Garang teams.

Further requests for support or assistance can be made to the Director of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research, Professor Jaky Troy.

Sydney Indigenous Research Hub

Find out about the Sydney Indigenous Research Hub that ‘coordinates and supports all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research at the University, with mentoring and development for academics and Higher Degree Research students’.

Sydney Indigenous Research Network

The Sydney Indigenous Research Network ‘meets weekly to share research ideas, broaden our networks and develop our skills. The Network is open to all University of Sydney staff and Higher Degree Research Students interested in Indigenous research, no matter what you are researching’.

SUPRA

SUPRA supports the University of Sydney’s dedicated services for the benefit of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander postgraduate students.

SUPRA’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Network provides opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander postgrads to connect, useful information, and a forum for representation.

SUPRA’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Officer is Lindsay McCabe: indigenous@supra.usyd.edu.au.

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Last updated April 2022