Aboriginal Education Strategy 2019–2029
Audit snapshot
What we reviewed and why
We assessed whether the Department for Education is effectively managing the Aboriginal Education Strategy 2019–2029 to deliver its intended education outcomes for Aboriginal children and young people. Our audit focused on stage 2 of the Strategy (2022–2026).
The Aboriginal Education Strategy states that more needs to be done to ensure every Aboriginal South Australian can enjoy the life-long benefits of education. Education is a key factor contributing to cultural identity, health and employment for Aboriginal people. Education levels among Aboriginal people have steadily risen over the past decade, but there is still inequity in education outcomes between Aboriginal and other students.
What we concluded
The Department for Education needs to address gaps in key areas to demonstrate effective management of the Aboriginal Education Strategy. These gaps are:
- reporting to those overseeing the strategy does not include information on progress against about half of the strategy performance indicators
- information reported to the public does not provide transparency on strategy outcomes
- most strategy initiatives are not planned in a way that clearly explains how they are expected to achieve intended outcomes
- the risk and change management approaches for the strategy are not clearly defined
- performance indicators for several strategy initiatives are not designed effectively
- the data collected against strategy and initiative performance indicators is not complete.
Given these gaps, the Department for Education is not able to effectively demonstrate the impact of the Aboriginal Education Strategy and how it is progressing towards achieving its goals and objectives. The Department recognises the challenges that it faces and has started a broad reset of its strategic direction for Aboriginal education during 2025, in partnership with Aboriginal people.
Key facts
