Reaching the stars: Amos' inspiring Aboriginal sky lawyer journey

"It wasn't until 21 years [later] that I came back and completed my old degree, so that was my redemption arc to some extent."

Published on the 02 October 2026

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From screenwriting to becoming a 'sky lawyer'

There's something about the escapist feeling that movies impart upon us. It can help us forget what's going on in our lives for a couple of hours through entertainment and pure enjoyment.

Or Amos Taylor's case, it can be the starting point for what you want to do in your life.

"It was specifically on the 6 March in 2023, I was discussing a sci-fi script [with my film studies tutor, Carmel Finegan] because I was doing screenwriting," recalls the sixth-year UNSW Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (Indigenous Studies and Film Studies) student.

"[She] just mentioned that she met a space lawyer once and that was pretty much it!"

This conversation took place in the middle of Amos' UNSW journey, and from the moment the words 'space lawyer' were uttered, he came to understand his Ancestral calling.

A proud Kija and Jaru man from the East Kimberley who is known by his ancestral name, Djuralardi Daylight, Amos envisions how the future of air and space law can be reshaped using Indigenous knowledge.

While his journey has been laid out in front of him, he remains guided by his Ancestors, as well as his deep connection with Country.

"I've always loved the winds [and] I've always liked it when [it's] raining," explains Amos. "[When] birds are speaking or looking at me, kookaburras specifically, it's like my ancestors [communicating with me]."

"I was like, 'oh, that sounds pretty interesting!' It's pretty niche, there aren't actually many working space lawyers in Australia.

"But over time, my interests have expanded into air law and space law, which is all of sky Country for Indigenous people. So basically anything just above the tree tops."

"For Indigenous people, it's about recognising signs from Country and interpreting them in a way that helps you push your journey further. I don't question the signs, I just accept that if I hear kookaburras laughing, I'm on the right journey."

A major aspect in this journey is Amos' research into sky Country. As described by Amos, sky Country stretches from just about the treetops to the stars and into the celestial realm. This is an expanse that Western law separates into air and space law, and his focus is on the gaps in legal recognition within airspace and the legacy of doctrines like aer nullius - i.e. the assumption that the sky belongs to no one.

Winning the AAL First Nations Scholarship and the new 'space race'

Amos' research on sky Country is admittedly a "pretty niche" area of law, but his work has been positively recognised, ultimately culminating in him being awarded the Australian Academy of Law’s (AAL) First Nations Scholarship in 2026. This scholarship is designed to support an Indigenous student through the final year of a Law degree and provides the recipient with an AAL Fellow as a mentor.

Recalling the moment he received the scholarship, Amos says he was "pretty happy" in his work being recognised before acknowledging the journey he's been on to arrive at this place.

Amos presenting his research, 'Protecting Sky country: Air and Space Law', at the Welcome to the Frontier exhibtiion.

"There's some irony in [receiving the scholarship]. A lot of the time you don't really know what you want to do, especially when I was at uni when I was younger," he reflects. "But when you do, there's strength in having conviction [especially] in a pathway that's pretty niche. So I think part of the success that there's nobody in Australia that's looking at Indigenous perspectives of sky Country, specifically the legal aspects.

"Fortunately, I've won some [awards like] the Dean's List for writing essays on sky Country. So it begins to snowball when people start hearing about you and that you find some success academically. So, it was a nice acknowledgement!"

Amos' research and sky Country work come at an important time as a new 'space race' has kicked off between global superpowers, particularly China and America.

Due to Australia's longstanding relationships with these countries, we, as a nation, will have a role to play in this race in the years to come. As space and sky law evolves, Amos notes the importance of acknowledging Indigenous rights and interests.

"In Australia, they're dealing with Indigenous land. Even though we're mostly [only at] a launch state, if we're launching stuff [like rockets] from Australian lands, that's Indigenous country," explains Amos.

"Whatever Australia does in the new space race, which [will be mostly] launching and returning stuff, because we have such massive lands that they could land [on] because there's not much noise or light pollution.

"We [can] help lead in those [space race] fields, but Australia forgets that all of the lands, waters and skies are Indigenous lands, waters and skies. We are the First Law, we're the First Astronomers. So to not be legislating for this with Indigenous rights and interests in minds only [hinders us]."

Reflections and what's next

Having been awarded the AAL First Nation Scholarship and having his work recognised over the last few years, there's one final milestone for Amos to reach: Finally completing his Law degree.

"I started at the University of Western Australia in 2005, didn't complete my degree in 2006 [and] didn't complete it when I returned in 2008," he recalls. "It wasn't until 21 years [later] that I came back and completed my old degree, so that was my redemption arc to some extent."

All in all, Amos' university journey spanned 21 years. Needless to say, he's pretty darn pleased to be seeing the finish line and getting some much overdue closure.

"Yeah, it felt good! I got to physically throw out all my law baggage too because I had some [old] law files and stuff," he admits. "I literally got to throw away all [actual] baggage as well as my emotional baggage. It was worth it."

With Amos' degrees nearly completed, naturally the conversation turned to what's next. Surprisingly, he's staying open-minded for what's next and is simply taking it day by day.

"I'm still deciding whether or not to do Honours for my Indigenous Studies, otherwise, who knows?" he laughs. "I don't really like to make plans. I like to just see what's out there at the time. We'll see what happens."

"If I had someone [giving me advice], it would be not to give up. The idea is just to hang in there, continue your studies, even if you're not motivated or it is too hard.

"Because if you're interested enough to go to uni, maybe you will be upset that you didn't complete it. So there was emotional baggage for 21 years that I got rid of coming back to complete the degree."