Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander - Establishing Status within the University Policy
| Document Number | 000749 |
|---|
1. Introduction
1.1. This policy applies to all individuals seeking to access benefits available to Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons within the University, and also provides a uniform means of establishing Aboriginality and/or Torres Strait Islander Status within the University.
2. Definitions
Benefit in this document means access to any student place, scholarship or staff position specifically reserved for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander persons
Relevant panel or responsible officer means the panel or officer designated as responsible in the policy or procedures under which the person is seeking to establish Aboriginality and/ or Torres Strait Islander status
3. Policy Provisions
3.1. Persons seeking to gain access to benefits designated specifically for Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons will be required to provide evidence to demonstrate that they meet the following criteria for establishing Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander status:
i) that they are of Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent; and
ii) that they identify as an Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person; and
iii) that they are accepted as such by the community in which they live or have lived.
3.2. Persons who are unable to provide evidence as recommended may be permitted to submit a Statutory Declaration affirming their identification as an Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person and setting out the reasons why additional evidence is not available.
3.3. In circumstances where a Statutory Declaration is provided a final determination as to Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander status will be made by either the relevant panel or the responsible officer in consultation with a senior Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person where the responsible officer is not an Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.
4.0. Detailed Steps, Procedures and Actions
4.1. Individuals seeking Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander status shall provide documentary evidence which addresses the criteria, namely:
(i) Evidence of Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent may be proven by:
a) birth records or genealogies verified by a suitable authority; or
b) at least one completed Evidence of Aboriginality and/or Torres Strait Islander Status form signed by a prominent member of an incorporated or other Indigeneous organisation, for example, Land Council, CDEP, AECG, Aboriginal Education Assistant etc.
(ii) Evidence of self-identification as an Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person
To demonstrate self-identification as an Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person the applicant should identify themselves as such on application and/or enrolment forms as applicable.
(iii) Evidence of acceptance as an Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person by the community
Acceptance as an Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person by the community should be confirmed on a completed Evidence of Aboriginality and/or Torres Strait Islander Status form signed by a prominent member of an incorporated or other Indigeneous organisation for example, Land Council, CDEP, AECG, Aboriginal Education Assistant, etc. from the community in which the applicant lives or has previously lived.
4.2. Individuals unable to provide documentation as set out above may complete the Statutory Declaration provided in the Evidence of Aboriginality and/or Torres Strait Islander Status form and must include details as to why the required documentation is not available.
4.3. Documentary evidence provided by the applicant shall be assessed by the relevant panel or responsible officer.
4.4. The panel or responsible officer may conduct a full or random audit of evidence provided to ensure contact details and referees are correct and legitimate.
4.5. The panel or responsible officer may request further information and/or an interview with any applicant where it determines that further verification is required or uncertainty exists.
4.6. Where uncertainty remains, the onus shall be on the applicant to prove Australian Aboriginality and/or Torres Strait Islander status.
5.0. Essential Supporting Documents
Evidence of Aboriginality and/or Torres Strait Islander Status Form
| Approval Authority | Vice-Chancellor |
|---|---|
| Policy Sponsor | Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & Global Relations) |
| Policy Owner | Head of School, Wollotuka |
| Policy Contact | Manager, Indigenous Support Program |