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Introduction

Education is an important factor in improving the health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The educational participation and attainment of this group is currently below that of others Australians. For example:

• Educational achievement 2001: 17% of Indigenous people over 15 reported their highest
  level of education as Year 12 or equivalent compared with 39% of non-Indigenous people.
• School retention 2001: 36% of Indigenous students continued to Year 12 compared with
  73% of all students.3 46% of Indigenous people aged 15-19 were attending an educational
  institution compared with 73% of non-Indigenous people the same age.
• Higher education 2001: 1.8% of Indigenous people were enrolled in a university or other
  tertiary institution compared with 4.0% of non-Indigenous people.

This section provides an overview of:

• Demographics of school attendance and participation in higher education and training
• Current education issues and concerns
• Examples of Government policy documents
• Links to useful resources