AIEF Drives Education Equality to Make an Indigenous Prime Minister Possible
The Australian Indigenous Education Foundation (AIEF) has launched a powerful new national campaign highlighting the urgent need for education equality for young Indigenous Australians.
The campaign, supported by The Australian, comes as Newspoll data reveals that just 23% of Australians believe they will see an Indigenous Prime Minister in their lifetime – a perception that AIEF says reflects inequality of opportunity, not capability.
For nearly two decades, AIEF has delivered one of Australia’s most effective, scalable models for closing the education gap. A vital part of the nation’s overall Indigenous education framework, AIEF Scholarships support young Indigenous people to build a brighter future for themselves, communities and our nation.
An independent KPMG Evaluation Report shows AIEF students are 2.3 times more likely to complete Year 12, and AIEF Year 12 Graduates are four times more likely to attend university than the overall Indigenous population. These are not symbolic achievements; they’re measurable, nation-shaping outcomes.
“AIEF is opening doors to opportunity that have been closed to Indigenous students for far too long. Through scholarships and career support, students are able to achieve real, measurable impact. Creating pathways to parliament, boardrooms and influence isn’t just life changing, it’s nation changing,” says AIEF Executive Director Andrew Penfold.
“We know that Indigenous Australians continue to face significant disadvantage, but education is the game changer. With genuine collaboration between government and the private sector, AIEF students and alumni are becoming leaders whose impact strengthens families, communities and the nation.”
“Not every Indigenous student wants to be Prime Minister, but every one deserves the opportunity to succeed. With continued support for AIEF’s proven, scalable and cost effective model, we believe an Indigenous Prime Minister can be a reality in our lifetime.
As part of the campaign, Archibald finalist Mathew Lynn created an imagined, future focused portrait of Australia’s first Indigenous female Prime Minster.
“Mathew painted this work in support of the campaign, and when it concludes we hope it will take a prominent place in Parliament House, ready to greet the nation’s first Indigenous Prime Minister.”
