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Indigenous Tutorial Assistance Scheme

UTAS Home › Division of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students & Education) › Riawunna Centre › Support Services  › Indigenous Tutorial Assistance Scheme

ITAS - Tertiary Tuition

riawunna students

The ITAS program provides funding for supplementary tuition to support eligible Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander students studying university award level courses.

The goal of ITAS is intended to accelerate educational outcomes for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Australians beyond those which could reasonably be. ITAS aims to improve the educational outcomes of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander students in tertiary courses to the same levels as those for non‐Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Australians.

Tutoring is available for up to 2 hours per week per subject, and up to 5 additional hours in total during examination preparation breaks.

The students and Tutors are able to negotiate a place for tutoring between themselves; there are spaces set aside in each Centre.

When a student is in need

A student may be determined to be in need of tuition if they:

  • are failing the course/subject
  • was just passing the course and the student’s performance would be improved through additional tuition
  • was previously performing satisfactorily but is having difficulties with a new component of the course and is in danger of failing or falling behind
  • require tutorial assistance to achieve an academic level or ranking required to proceed to a subsequent stage or course of study.

Student eligibility

  • for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who are enrolled in a university award level course
  • for a student’s formal course of study

Student application forms.

Enabling Courses

ITAS funding is not usually available to assist students enrolled in enabling courses. Where a student is enrolled and undertaking a unit for which they will gain credit towards a formal award level course as part of an enabling course, ITAS assistance may be provided in respect of that unit provided the student meets the normal criteria for ITAS assistance. It is not usually available for basic literacy, numeracy, enabling and bridging courses.

Tertiary students eligible for ITAS may request another tertiary student as their tutor. The proposed tutor must be:

  • studying a major sequence of units in the subject area in which the student needs tutoring;
  • at least two academic years ahead of the student (i.e. 1st or 2nd year students cannot be approved as ITAS tutors for university students);
  • able to show evidence of sound academic progress; and
  • not themselves receiving ITAS tuition in that subject area.

Post-graduate

Postgraduate students should have developed appropriate skills in literacy, numeracy, academic writing and research prior to their admission into a postgraduate program. Therefore, applications for ITAS assistance from postgraduate students may be approved in exceptional circumstances only

Extra sessions

In exceptional circumstances only, a provider (Director, Riawunna Centre) can aggregate the maximum weekly approved assistance over a month to allow flexibility to meet the needs of certain students requiring more than the additional five hours to prepare for examinations.

Tutors

Riawunna Centre is responsible for the recruitment and payment of tutors and must ensure that:

  • The tutor is qualified or otherwise capable of delivering the required tuition
  • The person understands and is culturally sensitive to the needs of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander students
  • Where possible, appropriately trained Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander tutors are preferred.

Prospective ITAS tutors must:

  • Be qualified, either through formal education or relevant experience, to be eligible to deliver tutoring under ITAS.
  • If the prospective tutor is formally qualified, they must produce certified copies of their qualifications and copies of all documentation must be retained on the tutor’s file.
  • Wherever possible, suitably qualified Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people should be selected as
  • ITAS tutors. Tutors must be sensitive to, and able to relate to, the educational needs of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander students.
  • completing and submitting a work program no more than two weeks after tuition commences;
  • developing work programs in consultation with the student, and according to needs identified in the educational assessment.

Please note: The student must endorse the work program which must also be approved by the coordinator of the ITAS program at the funded institution.

Tutor Expression of Interest Form (PDF 788.9KB).

Conflict of interest

A conflict of interest arises when a person involved in determining ITAS services (an institution staff member, a tutor etc) is in a position to benefit directly or indirectly from the services. A conflict of interest can also arise when the person’s fidelity, objectivity or fairness in performing the services is at risk due to a personal interest or a third party arrangement.

Potential conflicts of interest may include situations where a staff member:

  • is a member of the same family as a student or tutor;
  • is not a close friend of a student;
  • does not have a business interest with a student
  • is a student applying for or receiving ITAS.

Other conflicts of interest may arise where a student and proposed tutor are members of the same family, or any other circumstance that compromises the professional integrity of staff, tutor or students.

  • There is no conflict of interest in using the person.
    • Except in remote locations where there is no other option, the ITAS tutor must not be a family member of the student. Staff of the funded institution (e.g. lecturers, tutors) and Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Education Workers cannot provide tuition during any period for which they are already receiving salary.