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. 

Support Services for Aboriginal Students 

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. 

The Faculty of Medicine and Health has dedicated pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to study various degrees in medicine and health.

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, Camperdown Campus) has a student common room 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). The room is located on Level 2, Room 243. 

Wingara Mura Research Library is also in the John Woolley Building, at Level 2, Room N238.

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, at Room 115, Level 1, Edward Ford Building (A27). Take the entrance via Fisher Road. 

Yooroang Garang is a culturally safe space on level 1 (D18) of the Susan Wakil Health Building. 24-hour access, has computer, printing and photocopying facilities and study rooms. 

Deputy Vice Chancellor – Indigenous Strategy and Services 

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 the Gadigal Centre.

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 

The Sydney Indigenous Research Hub is a support network for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers at the University. It provides opportunities for mentoring and professional development for HDRs and academics, and supports the Sydney Indigenous Research Network (see below). 

Sydney Indigenous Research Network 

The Sydney Indigenous Research Network provides opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders students and staff to share ideas, develop skills, and network. The network is open to researchers in all disciplines. It meets weekly and also runs an active Microsoft Teams group.  

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. 

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

Our casework team and Legal Service can help with almost anything that might be affecting your studies or your life, like academic appeals, intellectual property, renting and housing, special consideration, employment law and much more. 

 Contact us for free, confidential, professional advice.

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Written by SUPRA Postgraduate Advocacy Service April 2023