Partner with the Aboriginal Education Centre
Learn how you can work with the Aboriginal Education Centre to create employment pathways, meet organisational goals and access cultural awareness support.
The Aboriginal Education Centre works closely with industry to help First Peoples students build confidence, gain experience and become job‑ready. We invite organisations and businesses to partner with us and play an active role in shaping the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduates.
By getting involved, you’ll help create real pathways for young people to connect with local employers, explore careers and transition smoothly into study and work. Partnership also gives you the opportunity to engage with community, strengthen your workforce initiatives and access cultural awareness support along the way.
Get involved in our outreach programs
The programs we run each year rely on support from industry partners. If you'd like to have a chat about any of the following opportunities, please email shannen.mennen@federation.edu.au. If you work at a school and you're interested in booking one of our programs, please email samuel.clark2@federation.edu.au.
For: Year 9–11 students
Attendees: 30
Junior University Camp is a fully funded, week-long immersion in university and TAFE life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from across Victoria. It includes a residential experience, hands-on course taster sessions, community and industry site visits, local Aboriginal community and cultural site visits and career panel sessions.
Industry partner opportunities
- Site tours
- Panel sessions
- Camp or awards sponsorship
For: Year 7–12 students
Attendees: 300+
Deadly As Day is a regional showcase run in partnership with the Department of Education and the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association. This event brings together school students from across the Central Highlands to celebrate educational success and culture and explore career pathways.
Industry partner opportunities
- Industry stalls
- Guest speaking
- Sponsorship
For: Year 6–7 students
Attendees: 30–40 per intake
The Koori STEM Labs are two-day events designed to build peer networks, reduce early school disengagement and spark STEM aspirations through culturally informed, hands-on learning. The pilot, run in November 2025, focused on flight and motion (taking inspiration from Aboriginal inventor and advocate David Unaipon’s early helicopter drafts based on boomerangs). This session received strong educator and student feedback.
Industry partner opportunities
- Help develop future STEM Labs
- Sponsorship
For: university and TAFE students
Attendees: 12–25
The Indigenous University Nationals is an annual multi-sport event that celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sporting culture and leadership. Each year Federation University sends a team of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to compete in basketball, netball, touch football and volleyball.
Industry partner opportunities
- Team sponsorship
- Co-branding of uniforms
For: adult learners
Attendees: 25–30 per intake
Mumgu-dhal tyama-tiyt, meaning 'the Message Stick of knowledge', is a Certificate II course that blends cultural learning with vocational skills, practical placements and pathways into further study, traineeships or work. It's aimed at adult Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners who want to reconnect with employment or change careers.
Industry partner opportunities
- Site tours
- Guest speaking
- Work placement for students
Aboriginal Education Centre
The AEC provides culturally safe pathways to university, supports student wellbeing and promotes First Peoples events.