Indigenous Students Report Exclusion in Australian Universities

A new Monash University essay highlights persistent barriers and lack of curriculum diversity for Indigenous staff and students.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in College Life

Gouache-painted editorial illustration of a stack of antique books and a native Australian wattle branch, representing academic curriculum issues. — Indigenous students and staff at Australian universities report ongoing feelings of exclusion, citing a lack of curriculum diversity as a key barrier. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should Australian universities prioritize more diverse curriculums to improve representation for Indigenous students?

Indigenous students and staff across the Australian university sector are reporting feelings of exclusion and underrepresentation within their institutions. This comes following the publication of the essay Nothing About Us, Without Us by Tristan Kennedy.

Why it matters

A primary driver of these feelings of exclusion is the ongoing lack of diversity within university curriculums and courses. Addressing these representational gaps is viewed as essential for fostering a more inclusive academic environment.

While Indigenous student enrolments have risen steadily since the 1960s, current academic frameworks continue to lack diverse course offerings. This data highlights the divide between increasing raw numbers and the qualitative experience of students.

The players

Tristan Kennedy

He is the author of the essay titled Nothing About Us, Without Us which examines the experiences of Indigenous people in higher education.

Monash University

It is a prominent Australian public research university that recently published an essay detailing barriers faced by Indigenous students and staff.

The details

Tristan Kennedy authored the essay Nothing About Us, Without Us for Monash University, identifying specific systemic barriers that hinder Indigenous representation. The work underscores that traditional academic structures often fail to reflect the diversity of the student body.

Indigenous student enrolments in Australian universities began to rise during the 1960s.

Culture Shift

The push for inclusive curriculums aligns with the broader objectives outlined in the Australian Universities Accord to improve institutional equity. This marks a departure from traditional models that have historically struggled to integrate diverse perspectives into core academic programmes.

Prospective and current students may see an increased emphasis on diverse course content as universities respond to these findings. This shift could change how academic programmes are structured and taught across Australian campuses.

The takeaway

Universities are increasingly scrutinising their curricula to better support Indigenous representation in response to student feedback. Institutions are being encouraged to actively incorporate Indigenous perspectives to move beyond simple enrolment metrics.