Integrated support for Aboriginal tertiary students in health-related courses: the Pika Wiya Learning Centre.

Abstract

The barriers to Indigenous people entering tertiary education, succeeding, and gaining employment in the health professions are broad and systemic. While efforts have been made to address these barriers, the number of Indigenous health professionals remains extremely low across Australia. The Pika Wiya Learning Centre in South Australia provides a range of practical, social, cultural, and emotional supports for tertiary students to increase the number of Indigenous health professionals, especially registered nurses, in the region. This paper reports on the Centre's strengths that may represent best practice in student support, and the obstacles to further development.