Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Action Plan 2010–2014

A national plan that commits all governments in Australia to a unified approach to closing the gap in education outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students has been released.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Education Action Plan 2010-2014, was developed by the Ministerial Council for Education, Early Childhood Development and Youth Affairs (MCEECDYA) as part of the Council of Australian Governments’ (COAG’s) reform agenda to improve life outcomes for indigenous Australians. MCEECDYA approved the plan in April 2010 and it was subsequently endorsed by COAG in May 2011.

The Plan was developed with the support of stakeholders via a wide ranging consultation process which received over 100 submissions.

Federal, state and territory governments have all committed to the 55 actions proposed in the Plan which aim to accelerate improvements in the outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people right around the country, from those in the most remote areas, to large urban schools.

The Plan reflects commitments by governments to introduce substantial structural and innovative reforms in early childhood education and schooling as outlined in national agreements between all governments.

It identifies national, systemic and local level action in six priority domains that evidence shows will contribute to improved outcomes in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education.

A number of the actions under the action plan will be undertaken by a key group of schools called focus schools. These are schools with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary school students with the greatest need and where efforts should be focussed to make the greatest difference.

The actions signed off on by all governments are linked to the following six priority domains:

•    Readiness for school
•    Engagement and connections
•    Attendance
•    Literacy and numeracy
•    Leadership, quality teaching and workforce development
•    Pathways to real post-school options.

Implementation of the actions agreed under the Plan will require flexibility from schools, education providers and governments in the ways they work together to achieve the agreed closing the gap targets. The Action Plan will be evaluated throughout its life, and the evaluation will be taken into consideration when developing recommendations around next steps in national collaboration in this important area.


Download the Plan here:

Pdf version         rtf version

Note: the weblinks in this document were accurate as of the date of publication. Should you experience difficulties with any of the links please contact the relevant organisation.