About Us
The Australian Indigenous Education Foundation (AIEF) is a private sector-led, non-profit organisation focused on empowering Indigenous children in financial need to build a brighter future for themselves and for the nation.
AIEF provides scholarships which enable Indigenous students to attend some of Australia’s leading schools and universities, as well as mentoring and career support to ensure students make a successful transition from school to further studies or employment, productive careers and fulfilling lives.
A product of a strong partnership between the Australian Government and the private sector, AIEF is building a $140 million fund to open the doors to leading schools and universities for 7,000 young Indigenous Australians.
OUR PROGRAMS
AIEF provides scholarships and support through its two core programs, the AIEF Scholarship Program and the AIEF Pathways Program.
The AIEF Scholarship Program provides scholarships which empower Indigenous students to pursue their education at some of Australia’s best schools and universities. Students supported by the program access high quality education in culturally inclusive environments, where they develop the skills and confidence to fulfil their potential and make the most of their opportunities.
The AIEF Pathways Program prepares students on AIEF scholarships for life post-school and supports their transition from school through tertiary studies or employment into productive and fulfilling careers.
The Model
AIEF has a long-term, scalable business model that is characterised by:
Sustainability
AIEF operates a long-term, sustainable Indigenous education program within a framework of highly effective management, transparency and accountability.
Transparency
AIEF publishes detailed Annual Reports including financial accounts and information about our programs, Partner Schools and scholarship students.
Efficiency
AIEF allocates 15% of income to its operating reserve and 85% to the AIEF Scholarship Fund and has spent an amount equivalent to just 2.4% of its scholarship funding on total costs to date (after other income generated by AIEF for costs is taken into account), making it one of the most efficient, low cost non-profit organisations in Australia.
Click here to find out how you can help AIEF empower 7,000 Indigenous students to shape Australia’s future.
Proven Results
RETENTION AND YEAR 12 ATTAINMENT
Figures published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show secondary school retention rates for Indigenous students are still well below the average for non-Indigenous students.
In 2013, only 55.1% of Indigenous students completed their schooling up to Year 12, compared with 82.9% of non-Indigenous students.
In contrast, AIEF Scholarship Students achieved a 93% retention and Year 12 completion rate – almost double the national average, and the highest Year 12 completion rate recorded by any federally funded program in Australia.
POST-SCHOOL DESTINATIONS
The AIEF Pathways Program provides one-on-one transition support to AIEF Scholarship Students in Year 11, Year 12 and beyond.
Each student works with a member of the Transition Support Team to set and achieve study and career goals for a successful transition to further study or employment after secondary school.
With AIEF’s support, 95% of AIEF Alumni made or continued a successful transition to further studies or employment in 2013. Of these Alumni, 42% are pursuing tertiary studies at university or TAFE; 53% are engaged in vocational training, employment or other productive pursuits; and the remaining 5% continue to work with the Transition Support Team to identify and pursue their preferred career path.
