Participation of Aboriginal children in at least 600 hours of preschool before school has grown by 8%, according to a department report.

The Aboriginal Education Strategy Impact Report noted that grants for bus services, for six Aboriginal preschools in both metropolitan and regional areas, continues to support improved attendance and participation – a recommendation by the Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care.

In further support of improving the attendance rates of Aboriginal children at preschool, an early years engagement officer has worked on the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands since 2022, delivering arts and literacy activities that are highly engaging for families and carers, resulting in increased attendance at preschool.

The Impact Report noted that in 2023, nine APY Lands preschools have collectively achieved the highest term 4 average preschool attendance rate in five years.

The department’s Aboriginal Education Strategy is focused on ensuring Aboriginal children develop foundations for success in the early years of their education, stay engaged at school and have pathways to future education, training or career opportunities.

Additional outcomes noted include:

• A 10% increase in Aboriginal students completing their SACE in 2024 compared to the year before.
• During 2024, the Standard Australian English oral language and writing proficiency of 57 Aṉangu students from five Aṉangu schools increased by three levels – the equivalent of 3 years’ growth.
• Since June 2024, the number of active collaborations with Aboriginal language organisations and owners has grown from 6 to 10.
• More than $900,000 was distributed to schools to support primary school-aged Aboriginal students to learn their (or another) Aboriginal language in 2025.
• Since 2019, the number of schools with an Aboriginal languages program has grown from 46 to 63 in 2025.
• Since 2019, the number of Aboriginal languages programs in schools has grown from 48 to 73 in 2025.
• With funding support from the department, the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara Education Committee has established an Aṉangu Resource Development Unit which has produced 17 teaching and learning resources in first languages for Aṉangu.
• In 2024, 1264 students participated in South Australian Aboriginal Secondary Training Academy (SAASTA) Programs and 632 in Workabout. SAASTA expanded from 22 Academies in 2023, to 26 Academies in 2024.

The work undertaken through the department’s strategy is supported by a scholarship program to strengthen the pipeline of Aboriginal teachers in public education, a workforce network to support employees and a learning module for all staff about the Culturally Responsive Framework.