First Nations Education: Policy

The Marrung 2026-2036 First Nations Education Strategy (Marrung)(opens in a new window) was launched on 15 September 2026.

This policy will be updated in 2027. Schools will be supported with clear guidance and resources for implementation.

Policy

This policy supports schools to improve the experiences and outcomes of First Nations learners.

A note on terminology used

The term First Nations is used inclusively and refers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in Victoria.

First Nations is a contemporary collective group term that may not be used by all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. As such, it is important to be respectful of how individual students, their families and community refer to themselves, and use this to guide language when referring to individuals or community.

Terms such as Koorie, Aboriginal, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Indigenous and First Peoples are also commonly used in teaching and learning resources and practice guidance.

Details

Schools are expected to:

work in partnership with their local First Nations community to develop place-based approaches to improving student outcomes
support the development of high expectations and individualised learning for First Nations students
ensure all First Nations students have an individual education plan
create a learning environment for all students that acknowledges, respects and values First Nations cultures and identities
view success for their First Nations students as core business.

Schools are also recommended to:

reflect on current practice
plan how to implement actions that strengthen self-determination
plan for and implement actions that improve experiences and outcomes for First Nations learners.

For more information, refer to Strengthening Aboriginal self-determination in education.

Background

Marrung 2026–2036 First Nations Education Strategy

Marrung 2026–2036 First Nations Education Strategy is Victoria’s strategy to improve education experiences and outcomes for First Nations learners. This policy will be updated in 2027 with clear guidance and resources for implementation.

Marrung was developed in partnership with the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Incorporated (VAEAI). Strong partnerships with the Koorie community will be the foundation for achieving outcomes for Koorie students in Victoria.

Programs, actions and reforms

Programs, actions, and reforms continuing under Marrung 2026–2036 include:

Campfire Conversations and the Strengthening Aboriginal Self-Determination in Education Report (PDF)(opens in a new window). For more information, refer to the Strengthening Aboriginal self-determination in education guidance chapter
the Koorie Literacy and Numeracy Program which is designed to support Koorie students in Victorian government schools to improve literacy and numeracy outcomes. This includes the extended Koorie Literacy and Numeracy program for Koorie students not meeting year 3 reading and numeracy benchmarks in years 4, 5 and 6
Community Understanding and Safety Training (CUST)(opens in a new window) which empowers school staff to foster culturally inclusive environments that enhance Koorie students’ wellbeing
guidance for schools on meeting the requirements of Child Safe Standard 1(opens in a new window) – establishing a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued
creating a school action plan for Aboriginal Learning, Wellbeing and Safety (DOCX)(opens in a new window)
the department working with schools with high First Nations student absences and sharing effective practice
Marrung education scholarships(opens in a new window) for high achieving Aboriginal students studying years 11 and 12 in government schools.

Koorie Education Workforce

The Koorie Education Workforce (KEW) helps early years services and schools by providing guidance to enhance cultural inclusion practices, and to support the engagement, attendance, wellbeing and achievement of First Nations learners.

Directors, Koorie Education

There are 2 directors of Koorie Education. Each director supports 2 regions and provides strategic leadership to help implement Marrung. The directors lead the Koorie Education Division in their regions. They also build and maintain relationships with key people and organisations inside and outside government. These relationships help inform statewide discussions about how to improve experiences and outcomes for First Nations learners. The directors also help develop and deliver key education initiatives.

Koorie Education Managers

There are 4 Koorie Education Managers (KEMs), one in each region, who work collaboratively to ensure delivery of consistently high quality and culturally responsive practices across education settings for all learners. KEMs lead cohesive, consistent and strategic implementation of First Nations education priorities and provide programmatic and cross portfolio oversight and expertise in their region supporting learners from 0 to 18 years.

The KEMs support embedding of contextually informed and evidence based practice, and facilitate constructive relationships and collaborative networks through effective engagement and governance. This is achieved in partnership with Local Aboriginal Education Consultative Groups (LAECGs) and other community agencies, government departments and local communities to support improved student learning experiences and outcomes for all First Nations learners.

Koorie Education Coordinators

Koorie Education Coordinators (KECs) facilitate greater consistency of the implementation of Marrung through leading area-based coordination and provision of support to early years services and schools from the regional KEW through multi-disciplinary area teams. Early years service providers, schools, parents and community can obtain assistance with First Nations cultural inclusion, First Nations education guidance and support through their region by contacting the KEC with enquiries.

KECs can arrange for a Koorie Engagement Support Officer (KESO) to work with early years services and schools providing guidance to enhance cultural inclusion practices, and to support the engagement, attendance and wellbeing of First Nations learners. KECs provide high level expertise to lead the implementation of education initiatives, First Nations specific programs and inclusive practices that privilege engagement with First Nations community and support parent/carer partnerships in education. Refer to: Contact details for KECs(opens in a new window).

Koorie Engagement Support Officers

Koorie Engagement Support Officers (KESOs) are area-based First Nations professionals with an understanding of First Nations cultures and perspectives. KESOs provide advice to schools about culturally inclusive learning environments, and the co-ordination of services to facilitate improved engagement of First Nations children and young people.

KESOs play an integral role in engaging families, communities, and education and service providers to facilitate First Nations learners to participate fully in education. They support education settings to transition learners and families across all learning stages where appropriate: into early years, primary, secondary and further education.

Koorie Academy of Excellence Liaison Officers

The Koorie Academy of Excellence Liaison Officers (KAELOs) support the Koorie Academy of Excellence (KAE). They are the central point of contact for members, their families, and carers. They administer the KAE through the Local Advisory Group and Statewide Reference Group. They are supported by KECs, KEMs and Directors, Koorie Education.

Koorie Education Children’s Court Liaison Officers and Koorie Cultural Advisors in LOOKOUT

The Koorie Education Children’s Court Liaison Officers (KECCLOs) and LOOKOUT Koorie Cultural Advisors are part of the Student Engagement and Wellbeing Division. They support the direct leveraging of all Area workforces to improve the learning and wellbeing outcomes for First Nations learners.

Other initiatives

Other initiatives to support the learning, development and educational outcomes of First Nations learners include:

Koorie Literacy and Numeracy Program
Catch Up funding
Education Justice Initiative(opens in a new window)
LOOKOUT Education Support Centres(opens in a new window)
The Navigator Program may also be relevant for individual learners depending on their context

Updated 22 September 2026

First Nations Education