TRACKS Indigenous Foundation Program

If you are an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student and want to develop the knowledge and skills to prepare you for undergraduate studies, our fee-free TRACKS Indigenous Foundation Program (previously known as the TRACKS Tertiary Preparation Program) is here to help.

In partnership with UNE's Oorala Aboriginal Centre, TRACKS helps you to develop study skills and transition to a Diploma or Bachelor degree. Completion of TRACKS can also help you to meet the eligibility requirements for the Miroma Bunbilla Program, our pre-entry pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants to the Joint Medical Program (JMP).

Be part of a strong community where your unique strengths are recognised, drawing upon your own experiences and values to meet your education goals.

Why study the TRACKS Indigenous Foundation Program with UNE?
The TRACKS program is dedicated to preparing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students for undergraduate study. We provide a supportive community, flexible learning and strong partnerships. And we understand that establishing your pathway to university and preparing for study can often feel daunting. That's why we become your partner right from the start—giving you the guidance and access to explore tertiary education and make informed choices about your future. This course helps you build essential academic skills and the confidence to pursue a degree, all without accumulating HECS debt.

UNE is a leader in the provision of online learning. Year after year, students award us the maximum 5-star ratings in The Good Universities Guide for Overall Experience and Student Support.

What makes our course different?
At the heart of the TRACKS program is the Oorala Aboriginal Centre—the central hub of your student experience. The Centre is made up of a tight-knit community of specialist lecturers, tutors and engagement staff, working together in a culturally safe space who provide support at every stage of your learning journey. The program offers opportunities to:

• Attend the pre-orientation program to get help with entry options, study preparation and career paths, and speak with a TRACKS lecturer and course coordinator about what you can expect from being a student at UNE.
• Experience what university study is about, without the fees. You'll have two trimesters to prepare, get supported, and learn in a collaborative environment.
• Develop confidence and academic skills in core units, with the flexibility to explore a range of areas that match your natural strengths.
• Choose an undergraduate unit to study, in your area of interest, that may count toward your UNE undergraduate degree.
• Get assistance from a highly-experienced tutor, matched to you, for up to two hours per week of 1:1 support per unit, during our teaching periods.
• Collaborate with our Oorala scholars, high-achieving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peers working alongside you in the TRACKS program, to discuss the issues that matter most to you.
• Gain support and guidance when you step into the workplace, with everything from building your confidence with cross-cultural interactions to individual career planning in line with your goals.
• Study flexibly—Schedule A is fully online, allowing you to balance study with your family, work and other commitments, and collaborate with your tutor and peers, no matter where you live. We help you learn in a flexible timeframe alongside a dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander online community, with 1:1 support and advice.
• Study on campus in Armidale. We provide advice and assistance to apply for the available, generous scholarships that include accommodation packages, strong cultural and social support, and excellent study facilities.
• Start your pathway to medicine with Schedule B, which helps you to meet the eligibility requirements for the Miroma Bunbilla Program,a pre-entry pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants to the Joint Medical Program (JMP).

UNE has a 30-year history of offering facilities and nationally recognised programs and services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. The Oorala Aboriginal Centre has been partnering with students throughout this time, dedicated to giving the assistance you need for a bright and rewarding future.

Study online
Most of our students choose to study online across three study periods with 24/7 tutor support* and fit study around work and family commitments. Uniquely, our online students are mostly over 30 and bring valuable experience with them. They form a community of adults juggling the same challenges and priorities and who bring their life and work experience together at UNE in order to become future-fit and better respond to a rapidly changing world.

Study on campus
Many of our students choose to take advantage of the on-campus lifestyle in Armidale, in the beautiful New England region, with access to unparalleled support, accommodation and sporting facilities. These students are often starting their first degree and have left school recently. Through access to academic and career support they get a fantastic start to their careers.

* 24/7 tutor support includes: essay feedback (within 24 hours); live chat 24/7 for generic feedback on academic writing; and subject-specific help at a foundation or first-year level for subjects including mathematics, chemistry, biology, physics, business, accounting, microeconomics, macroeconomics and statistics. There are also a wide range of workshops, resources and courses available in academic skills support to assist you and help you to succeed.