Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students

We have a team of dedicated Aboriginal Support Officers to assist with: 

• cultural support 

• course enquiries, application, and enrolment assistance

• pastoral care and advocacy

• staff and student liaison

• referrals to internal and external support services

Study and Tutorial Assistance (STA) is a free service aimed at helping you to develop skills and prepare for assessments. You will be matched with a Support Assistant who can help with goal setting, effective study skills, assistance with interpretation of course content, time management and assessment planning. You are able to access three hours per week STA either in-class, one-on-one outside of class times on Campus, or online via Teams or Zoom.

To complement your learning drop-in STA sessions are also held at our four main campuses. You can request a semester calendar from your ASO.

For many students, entering a large training provider like SM TAFE can be daunting. We've aimed to create a welcoming space to provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with a supportive environment that celebrates Aboriginal culture and maximises learning potential. Our two established Aboriginal Learning Centres are socially safe environments where students can feel physically, spiritually, and emotionally safe.

Koora Marr is located at our Thornlie Campus situated alongside the Djarlgarra Beeliar (Canning River).  Being home to both mammal and marine life, the Kwooyar (frog) can be seen on the banks of the waterway is the Centre’s adopted logo.

Kadadjiny Mia translates as ‘Knowledge House’ and is located at our Rockingham Campus. The building is wrapped in a mural painted by Jade Dolman Penangke and has many artefacts and pieces such as boomerangs, clapsticks and woomeras displayed in the building.

Students are welcome to use these facilities before, during and after classes. Both centres feature training and meeting spaces, access to computers, wi-fi and kitchen facilities. 

Centre opening hours are from 7.30am to 4.00pm. 

SM TAFE has an active Aboriginal Education, Employment and Training Committee (AEETC) that provides advice to the College on Aboriginal community, education and training needs. The current Chair of the Committee is Robert Taylor, CEO of WAITOC (Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council). 

National Reconciliation Week 2024

During this week SM TAFE staff shared, reflected and acted on the theme "Now More Than Ever" via a published video wherein SM TAFE asked members of our staff team what National Reconciliation Week  (NRW) means to them. A number of events were held across all campuses including an NRW Breakfast hosted at our Bentley Pines restaurant with Emma Garlett providing an impactful keynote, Student and Staff Yarn & Cuppa morning teas, Acknowledge This! professional development sessions and culminated with many staff attending the annual Walk for Reconciliation in Langley Park Perth.

 SM TAFE’s RAP Working Group are in the process of organising events to support NRW 2025: "Bridging Now to Next".

NAIDOC 2024

 The year’s theme was "Blak Loud and Proud" and we held our event on Thursday 24 October. The celebration was held at our new Armadale campus and included a smoking ceremony and a Welcome to Country by Noongar elder Robyn Collard who was accompanied by two of her very talented grandsons, Tryse and Sheldon. The guest speaker was Brenton Turner from Good Binji Wellness and the event featured immersive activities, music and a BBQ with All Good Grub offering a selection of kangaroo, emu, vegetarian, and beef sausages.  

Staff, students and guests attending were invited to participate in creating a mural with Noongar artist Melissa Riley from Djinda Djiti followed by a cultural performance by Binar Futures and didgeridoo accompaniment by Isaiah Walley Stack.

 SM TAFE looks forward to celebrating NAIDOC 2025, "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy".