Supporting First Nations students effectively requires ongoing learning, cultural awareness, and access to the right resources. As practitioners, we have a responsibility to continually develop our understanding of how to provide culturally appropriate guidance that respects diverse backgrounds, experiences, and aspirations.
The resources listed here are not exhaustive, but they represent valuable starting points for deepening your practice. Whether you’re looking for practical frameworks, mentoring programs, or guidance on culturally appropriate conversations, these tools can help you better support the First Nations young people you work with.
Essential resources for practitioners
myfuture
How is First Nations success shaped? Tips on providing culturally appropriate career advice is a comprehensive guide from myfuture that offers practical, evidence-based advice on providing career guidance to First Nations students. It explores the unique factors that shape career decisions and success for First Nations young people, including the importance of community, connection to Country, and cultural identity in career planning.
As a practitioner, this resource will help you understand the broader context of career decision-making for First Nations students, moving beyond a purely individualistic Western framework. It provides specific tips on how to have more culturally appropriate conversations, what questions to ask, and how to recognise and address potential barriers.
CareerTrackers
CareerTrackers is Australia’s leading Indigenous internship program, creating pathways between education and employment for First Nations university students. They partner with leading organisations to provide paid internships, mentoring, and professional development opportunities that help First Nations students transition successfully into their careers.
For school-based practitioners, CareerTrackers is an important organisation to know about for several reasons. Firstly, you can signpost your senior students who are heading to university to their intern resources page, which provides valuable information about how they can access the program once they reach tertiary education. This gives students something concrete to aim for and helps them see the pathway from where they are now to meaningful employment.
Additionally, CareerTrackers runs a high school program that you may be able to connect your current students with. This program provides early exposure to career possibilities and helps students build the confidence and skills they’ll need for future success. Visit their website to learn more about eligibility and how to get your students involved.
Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME)
AIME delivers a dynamic suite of mentoring programs and resources designed specifically for First Nations students. Their approach centres on unlocking potential through meaningful relationships, imagination, and opportunity. AIME connects First Nations high school students with university student mentors and provides engaging programs that build confidence, aspiration, and skills.
As a practitioner, AIME can complement your career guidance work by providing students with additional support, positive role models, and experiences that expand their sense of what’s possible. Their programs operate in schools across Australia, and their resources can help you understand effective mentoring approaches with First Nations young people. The organisation also provides valuable insights into creating engaging, culturally relevant educational experiences.
Explore their programs and resources at aimementoring.com to see how you might connect students with their offerings or apply their approaches in your own practice.
Clinical Yarning framework and eLearning
While Clinical Yarning was developed in healthcare contexts, its principles are highly relevant for career practitioners working with First Nations young people. The framework provides a structured yet flexible approach to conversations that respects Indigenous communication styles, builds trust, and creates space for genuine dialogue.
The Clinical Yarning eLearning program offers training on this framework, teaching practitioners how to conduct conversations in a culturally safe and appropriate way. Rather than following a rigid Western counselling model, Clinical Yarning recognises the importance of relationship-building, storytelling, and allowing conversations to flow naturally while still achieving specific outcomes.
For a deeper understanding of the theoretical foundations, you can also read their research paper ‘Yarn with me’: applying clinical yarning to improve clinician-patient communication, which explains how this approach can improve communication and outcomes.
As a career practitioner, learning about Clinical Yarning can transform how you conduct career conversations with First Nations students, helping you move beyond standard interview questions to more meaningful, culturally appropriate exchanges that better serve your students’ needs.
Indigenous Skills and Employment Program (ISEP)
The Indigenous Skills and Employment Program is a national place-based program run by the National Indigenous Australians Agency. It connects First Nations people with employment opportunities, training, and job readiness support through a network of local providers across Australia.
For practitioners, understanding ISEP means you can help students and their families access practical employment support in their local communities. The program works with local providers who understand the specific employment landscape, cultural context, and opportunities available in each region. This place-based approach recognises that effective employment support must be tailored to local circumstances and delivered by people who understand the community.
When working with First Nations students, particularly those who may benefit from additional employment support or who aren’t following a direct university pathway, ISEP providers can be valuable partners. Visit the NIAA website to find local providers and learn more about what support is available in your area.
Dedicated First Nations student support at universities and TAFEs
Every university and TAFE in Australia now has dedicated units to support First Nations students throughout their studies. These units provide everything from pre-enrolment advice to ongoing academic support, cultural connection, and pastoral care. They understand the specific challenges First Nations students may face and offer tailored assistance to help them succeed.
As a practitioner, it’s important to know that these support services exist and to communicate this to your students who are considering tertiary education. Many First Nations students and their families may not be aware of these services, or may be hesitant about university or TAFE because they’re worried about being isolated or unsupported. Knowing about these dedicated units can make the difference between a student feeling confident enough to apply or deciding that tertiary education isn’t for them.
For example, TAFE NSW has an extensive Aboriginal student support program that provides both practical and cultural support. Similarly, every university has an Indigenous student centre or unit. When discussing tertiary education pathways with First Nations students, make sure you mention these services and encourage students to connect with them early, even before they enrol. These units often run experience days, can arrange campus tours, and can answer questions that help students and families feel more confident about taking the next step.
Continuing your learning
These resources represent just some of the tools and organisations available to help you better support First Nations students. Effective practice means being willing to learn continuously, seeking out First Nations voices and perspectives, and remaining open to approaches that may differ from mainstream career guidance models.
Remember that cultural competence isn’t something you achieve once and then tick off a list; it’s an ongoing commitment to learning, listening, and adapting your practice. The young people you work with will benefit enormously from your willingness to develop your understanding and to connect them with the right resources and support at the right times.
You can also explore more First Nations resources on our website here or other resources for career practitioners here.
