First Nations justice
Advancing Indigenous justice through leadership, knowledges and opportunity.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples hold rich and enduring legal traditions that long predate the Australian legal system. At UNSW Law & Justice, we recognise that meaningful progress in Indigenous justice begins with listening to communities and learning from these traditions.
UNSW Law & Justice has a long, proud history of supporting Indigenous leaders of tomorrow. Over 150 Indigenous law graduates have gone on to lead inspiring lives in areas ranging from legal practice to international diplomacy and community service.
Our Law & Justice 2030 strategy recognises First Nations justice as a key priority. In the wake of the 2023 constitutional referendum, there is both renewed urgency and energy across law and criminology to walk alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in pursuit of justice, self-determination and meaningful change.
This work begins with listening to communities and deepening our understanding of Indigenous law and justice, as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' lived experiences of law, legal institutions and the justice system from colonisation through to today. It also calls for broader community education about the role law has played throughout this history, helping future generations understand law's capacity both to entrench injustice and to support truth-telling, accountability and reform.
Our faculty has long integrated Indigenous perspectives and experiences throughout our curricula, fostering critical dialogue and reflection on law’s relationship with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
As Australia continues its journey toward reconciliation, UNSW Law & Justice remains committed to partnering with Indigenous communities to advance justice through law reform, education, and other pathways shaped by the communities they are meant to serve.
Our leadership
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Home to the Indigenous Law Centre (ILC) – Australia’s only dedicated Indigenous law research centre – UNSW Law & Justice plays a pivotal role in shaping national conversations on land rights, Native Title, criminal justice reform and constitutional recognition.
Established in 1981, the ILC has been instrumental in shaping landmark legal reforms, including its ongoing work supporting the Uluru Statement from the Heart, under the leadership of Balnaves Professor of Constitutional Law and PVC Society Professor Megan Davis AC, and promoting constitutional recognition, truth-telling and treaty-making.
In partnership with the Justice and Equity Centre, the ILC leads the Towards Truth project, which researches the vast body of laws and policies that have affected Aboriginal peoples since 1788 across the themes of Country, Kinship, Law and Culture, and People.
Towards Truth is the first attempt to map in detail how decisions of our Parliaments and Governments have dispossessed and disempowered First Nations people, and where they have sought to protect and provide for reparation.
The ILC’s decades of scholarship and advocacy continue to influence landmark reforms and amplify First Nations voices in legal and political arenas.
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Through our long-standing collaboration with the Nura Gili Centre for Indigenous Programs, we offer culturally grounded pathways and support systems that empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to thrive.
Our Pre-Law Program and Indigenous Alternative Entry Scheme provide access to our law and criminology undergraduate programs, with a separate Postgraduate Indigenous Entry Scheme available for admission to the Juris Doctor.
Students are supported by dedicated staff including the Director of Indigenous Legal Education and the Indigenous Student Engagement Lead, who work closely with students to foster academic success, professional development and a strong sense of community and belonging.
Through the Indigenous Tuition Program (ITP), students can access individual academic support, tutoring and mentoring tailored to their needs. Students also benefit from initiatives such as the Paul Rodwell Book Scheme, which helps reduce financial barriers by providing access to essential study resources.
A range of scholarships further support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students throughout their studies, helping them focus on achieving their academic and professional goals.
What makes the UNSW experience unique is the breadth of professional opportunities available through our strong partnerships with organisations including leading law firms, the NSW Bar Association, the Aboriginal Legal Service and other key legal and community organisations. These partnerships provide students with valuable mentoring, networking, internship and career development opportunities that help prepare them for successful futures in the legal profession.
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Kingsford Legal Centre (KLC) is committed to providing culturally safe and accessible legal services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Through its Aboriginal Access Strategy, KLC offers responsive, flexible and holistic support tailored to community needs.
KLC participates in outreach at the La Perouse Aboriginal Community Health Centre, an important space for connecting with local community members and service providers. This outreach strengthens pathways to legal support and fosters trust through the presence of KLC’s Aboriginal Community Access Worker.
Students can also visit Yarra Bay with the Aboriginal Community Access Worker, deepening their understanding of community engagement and culturally responsive legal practice.
KLC continues to build strong relationships with other agencies working with First Nations communities, ensuring collaborative and informed support.
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The Centre for Criminology, Law and Justice (CCLJ) builds on UNSW’s strong tradition of criminal justice research to address the intersection of human rights, social justice and criminal law.
CCLJ’s work focuses on the impact of race, gender, disability and socio-economic disadvantage on victimisation, criminalisation and punishment. Through partnerships with community organisations and advocacy for law reform, the Centre promotes justice for those disproportionately affected by the criminal justice system, including Indigenous communities, young people and victims of domestic and sexual violence.
Our impact
