Indigenous Education

Indigenous students at UWS can look forward to learning in a friendly and supportive environment which promotes independent thinking and embraces diversity.

At UWS, we are committed to providing higher education pathways for Indigenous students and contributing to the process of reconciliation as an education institution which shares with the Australian community the cultures, languages, history and contemporary experiences of Australia's Indigenous people.

Badanami Centre for Indigenous Education provides a range of services for staff, students and community members in accessing higher education. The centre has offices located on each campus across UWS, so you’ll never feel alone!

Aboriginal Flag

The Aboriginal Flag was designed by Harold Thomas, an artist and an Aboriginal, in 1971. The flag was designed to be an eye-catching rallying symbol for the Aboriginal people and a symbol of their race and identity. The black represents the Aboriginal people, the red the earth and their spiritual relationship to the land, and the yellow the sun, the giver of life.

Torres Strait Islander Flag

The Torres Strait Islander flag is attributed to the late Bernard Namok of Thursday Island. The flag is emblazoned with a white Dari (headdress) which is a symbol of Torres Strait Islanders. The white five pointed star beneath it symbolises the five major island groups and the navigational importance of stars to these seafaring people.  The green stripes represent the land, the black stripes represent the people, and the blue the sea. The flag as a whole symbolises the unity of all Torres Strait Islanders.