Through the RISE education program, Indigenous students are thriving — excelling academically, growing in confidence, and deepening their cultural connections. Delivered by the Aurora Education Foundation, RISE is setting a new benchmark for Indigenous-led education support across Australia.
The program has developed an outcomes framework aligning Indigenous definitions of success with government measures Success is not only finishing school or achieving academic confidence. It is also about strong connections to culture and community, feeling valued at school, and pursuing a career that enables students to give back.
Emiliah is one of many students whose achievements reflect the strength of the RISE approach. Once planning to leave school after Year 10, she is now set on finishing Year 12, excelling in her classes, and speaking up with confidence.
Her mum, Carmen, has seen the change.
“RISE has changed Emiliah’s life for the better. Her grades have gone up, her attendance has improved, and she’s a lot more confident with public speaking,” Carmen said proudly.
RISE provides tailored support that combines academic tutoring with mentoring from Elders and on-Country learning. The program has delivered significant outcomes — including improved academic performance, increased student confidence, and stronger family-school relationships.
Now in its third year, RISE supports Indigenous high school students to achieve success as defined by their communities. RISE supports up to 800 Indigenous high school students through funded academic support plans, tutoring, and time on Country with Indigenous Elders and mentors. Importantly, these supports are aligned with the outcomes framework and governed by Indigenous leadership within Aurora and through an independent Indigenous Data Governance Committee.
The Aurora Education Foundation is an Indigenous-led organisation which leads RISE with a commitment to Indigenous-led design, delivery, and evaluation.
The CEO of Aurora, Leila Smith explained the importance of relationships and partnerships to support Indigenous students.
“The impact of RISE is that now we have the evidence to back what communities have long known, which is that strong relationships, high expectations and systems designed with us can deliver real change. Every student's story in this data is shaped not just by what happens in classrooms but also by family, culture, and the drive to create something better,"
The RISE program has delivered measurable and meaningful impact across several key areas. Students are excelling academically and families are more engaged, with many parents reporting increased confidence in communicating with schools and supporting their children’s education.
Student wellbeing has improved significantly, with RISE participants showing greater confidence in classroom participation and public speaking and expressing a stronger sense of belonging within their school communities. Cultural identity has been deepened through on-Country learning experiences, which connect students with Elders and mentors and reinforce the importance of community and cultural knowledge.
Evaluation of the program is governed by Indigenous leadership, ensuring that outcomes are tracked in ways that reflect community values and aspirations. The program’s culturally grounded framework integrates Indigenous definitions of success with government indicators, offering a model that is both accountable and authentic.
By amplifying community voices in education and demonstrating what works, RISE is making a difference in educational outcomes for Indigenous students, success is defined by communities and aligned with cultural values.
The RISE program is funded through the Australian Government’s Department of Education.
The RISE program contributes to Closing the Gap target 5, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students achieve their full learning potential and 6, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students reach their full potential through further education pathways, while reflecting the approach outlined in all four Priority Reforms of the Closing the Gap Agreement.
Read more about the Aurora Foundation and the RISE program here Aurora Foundation
Aurora participants - Photos credit: Jose Fernandez (Speck of Dust) for Aurora Education Foundation