ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLES

A key element in 'closing the gap' between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and non-Indigenous Australians relates to educational participation and attainment. While the education gap has narrowed somewhat over recent years, levels of educational participation and attainment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians still remain well below those of non-Indigenous Australians. This is due to a range of factors including, economic disadvantage, social marginalisation, health problems, differences in community expectations and geographical isolation.

Between 1995 and 2009, apparent school retention rates for full-time Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students (from Year 7/8 to Year 12) increased from 31% to 45%, indicating that more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students have progressed through to Year 12.

In addition, the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians aged 25-64 years with a vocational or higher education qualification increased from 32% in 2002 to 40% in 2008 (ABS 2009b). For those who reported their level of qualification, the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians with a certificate or diploma was 26% in 2002 and 30% in 2008. Over the same period, the proportion with a bachelor degree or above increased from 5% to 7%.

The Census of Population and Housing showed gains in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander non-school qualification attainment levels between 1996 and 2006. While these gains were observed across all geographic areas, the gap between the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous attainment rates increased with increasing geographic remoteness.