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Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Community Insights
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Education and work

Education

Education is key to improving opportunities for all Australians. It is linked to improved health outcomes, employment, income and other social benefits among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (ABS 2011; Biddle & Cameron 2012; Hart et al. 2017), and it is the focus of 3 of the targets in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

The National Agreement on Closing the Gap includes 16 targets developed by the Australian Governments and the Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Organisations. The targets are measureable goals that aim to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The 3 education targets are:

  • By 2025, increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children enrolled in Year Before Full-time Schooling (YBFS) early childhood education to 95 per cent.
  • By 2031, increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (age 20–24) attaining year 12 or equivalent qualification to 96 per cent.
  • By 2031, increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 25–34 years who have completed a tertiary qualification (Certificate III and above) to 70 per cent.