First Nations student services

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Identification and Confirmation

This information sheet explains what Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identification means at Adelaide University, when Confirmation of Aboriginality may be required, and where to get support with the process:

The Indigenous Portfolio is currently developing a Confirmation of Aboriginality Procedure for staff and students for AU. The procedure will be supported by a separate protocol for staff and for students.

With the support of Commonwealth funding and University resources, a range of services, scholarships, and employment opportunities are available to individuals who identify as Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, or both.

Confirmation of Aboriginality is the process by which an individual provides formal recognition of their Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage. Read more here.

Government agencies and Aboriginal community‑controlled organisations commonly apply three widely accepted working criteria:

• Having Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent
• Identifying as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person
• Being recognised as such by the community in which the person lives, or has previously lived

Student Admission and Enrolment

When applying to Adelaide University, prospective students may indicate their Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander identity by:

• Selecting the relevant option in their SATAC application or:

• Selecting the relevant option during the myEnrolment admission process

At the point of admission, students are not required to provide formal confirmation documents.

Scholarships

For some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander–identified scholarships, applicants may be required to provide Confirmation of Aboriginality as part of the application process. Specific requirements will be outlined in individual scholarship guidelines.

Employment Opportunities

Under the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (SA), Section 56(2), certain roles may be designated as Identified Aboriginal Positions. These positions are open only to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and aim to increase Aboriginal participation across the workforce.

For these roles, the AU People and Culture team will request applicants to complete a Confirmation of Aboriginality process or provide verified genealogical evidence.

Support with Confirmation of Aboriginality

First Nations students and applicants requiring assistance can be supported to obtain confirmation through the following options:

• Using AU Student forms Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent declaration form
• Using the Commonwealth Confirmation of Aboriginality form available within SATAC Statutory Declaration for First Nations applicants (66KB PDF)
• Uploading an existing Confirmation of Aboriginality document, or access support from community‑controlled organisations, such as Nunkuwarrin Yunti website:   About Us - Nunkuwarrin Yunti - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Community Services    Email: General Enquiry - Nunkuwarrin Yunti - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Community Services, Phone: (08) 8406 1600
• Kura Yerlo website: About Us | Kura Yerlo Incorporated, Email: portadmin@kurayerlo.org.au. Phone: 08 8241 0442.
• Contacts for Justices of the Peace (JPs) are available on the SA.GOV.AU - Justices of the Peace  Email: jpservices@sa.gov.au and Phone: 131 882
• Other websites Justice of the Peace Services - Attorney-General's Department