A strong, supportive community of Indigenous students within the wider Ormond community.
We are committed to supporting the accommodation needs and residential experiences of Indigenous students studying at the University of Melbourne and the Victorian College of the Arts, ensuring all feel culturally and socially supported while achieving academically. We strongly encourage and welcome applications from Indigenous students planning to study any course, in any faculty.
ABSTUDY Residential Costs Option
Indigenous students living at Ormond College may be eligible for ABSTUDY Residential Costs Option (RCO), managed by Centrelink. ABSTUDY RCO will cover all accommodation and meal costs in full for eligible Indigenous students, as well as provide a reduced fortnightly payment – whether Undergraduate or Graduate. There are College related expenses that are not covered by ABSTUDY (for example, social events organised by the Ormond College Students Club) so Indigenous students will be responsible for these non-compulsory charges.
ABSTUDY RCO is an award under the ABSTUDY scheme which requires a separate application form than the one completed for ABSTUDY Living Allowance. To apply for ABSTUDY RCO you will need a Tax File Number, Centrelink Number and Proof of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, amongst other documents. We recommend compiling these documents and beginning your ABSTUDY RCO claim well before 30 November 2020 (see next subheading for more information on this deadline). Contact Centrelink at 1800 132 317 to start this process.
University of Melbourne’s Indigenous Accommodation Grant
The University of Melbourne can assist Indigenous students who are not eligible for ABSTUDY RCO to pay for their College fees. Indigenous students are welcome to submit an Indigenous Accommodation Grant application by 30 November 2020 – there are 20 grants available for 2021. This scholarship provides a contribution of $10,000 if you live at Ormond College for a full year. The scholarship will be paid directly to Ormond College, but other accommodation providers and colleges are also part of this arrangement.
In order to apply for the Indigenous Accommodation Grant, you will need proof that you have recently applied for ABSTUDY RCO and that your application was deemed unsuccessful by Centrelink. This is why we encourage you to apply for ABSTUDY RCO well before 30 November 2020. You will be able to submit proof after 30 November 2020 in case there are delays with Centrelink, but you must ensure you submit your application form by that date as no extensions will be granted by the University.
Ormond College Financial Assistance
Furthermore, Indigenous students who are not eligible for ABSTUDY RCO may be eligible to receive Financial Assistance support from Ormond College by taking into account the student’s possible contribution towards accommodation fees. Applicants will be assessed on financial need by filling out the relevant Financial Assistance Application Form on the links below:
If you are unsure of your funding options, please contact us for a confidential discussion.
Indigenous students are an integral part of our College community. In 2013, we launched our first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) to the community.
The current Reconciliation Action Plan (Innovate 2018-2020) includes strategies to ensure that the Ormond College Indigenous Program (OCIP) is sustainable and consistent with the values and educational goals of Ormond College. The RAP is available to download below.
Students create opportunities each year to share their culture with the wider community. For example, a musical festival and debate have been held at Ormond around NAIDOC week, we invite speakers and community leaders to visit and actively promote reconciliation.
Visit our Undergraduate or Graduate pages for more information on living and learning at Ormond.
Successful undergraduate candidates will be required to move in to College on Sunday 14 February 2021 to attend the University of Melbourne’s Dhumbali Camp organised by Murrup Barak, as well as Ormond’s own Orientation Week (O Week). Both events take place prior to the official start of the academic year and are not optional. They are a vital part of your introduction to College and university life and an opportunity to become familiar with Ormond and Melbourne.
Students who have not attended O Week are unable to join the Ormond community. O Week is generally around the third week of February for Semester 1 intake or 3rd week of July for Semester 2 intake, and Dhumbali Camp is usually a week prior to these dates.
Garma Festival
A group of Ormondians had the honour of travelling to Arnhem Land in Northern Australia for Garma Festival, a leading Indigenous forum.
Garma presentation
Students sharing their moving Garma Festival reflections with the College community, such as the importance of supporting the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
National Close the Gap Day
Ngaree Blow, Noonuccal, Yorta-Yorta woman and Doctor, presented to students and staff on the challenges and hopes for closing the health gap.
Marking 10 years
Student Patrick Mercer and alumna Kinjia Munkara-Murray share their experiences for a special dinner marking the decadal celebration of the Ormond College Indigenous Program.
For further information, contact our Admissions Team on admissions@ormond.unimelb.edu.au or 61 3 9344 1107.
