Earlier this year the Federal Government announced a $21.9 million Indigenous Leadership and Governance package to support the next generation of Indigenous leaders.

$13.5 million to the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience Indigenous Corporation:

The Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME) Program started in 2005 and aims to support Indigenous high school students, through mentoring and other services, to complete high school and successfully transition into university, further study or employment. AIME’s current gap is to close the ‘gap’ between Indigenous and non-Indigenous student’s school completion rates and successful transitions from school.

The funding received under this package will be used to continue its operations and implement a strategic plan for expansion to support young Indigenous Australians to undertake leadership roles, further education and employment.

$6.7 million to the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations:

The Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations’ training programs seek to:

• improve the skills of potential and existing directions through their individual accreditation against key competencies
• improve governance and management within developing sectors
• facilitate the progress of this project by mainstream providers.

The training courses are designed for directors and members of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations.

The outcomes ORIC expect to achieve are:

• improved directorship and management for targeted individuals and corporations
• recognised accreditation of directors against competencies
• widely accessible training solutions for directors – available through mainstream and Indigenous-specific providers.

The funding received under this package will be used to continue development of governance training materials for Indigenous corporations and members.

$1.7 million to the National Indigenous Australians Agency:

The National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) is committed to implement the Government’s policies and programs to improve the lives of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The funding received under this package will provide scholarships for Indigenous Australians to undertake company directors’ courses, and to monitor and evaluate the entire package.