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About Tranby Aboriginal College

Tranby Aboriginal College is Australia’s oldest, independent Indigenous education provider, and is a function of the Co-operative for Aborigines Limited. The College is a not-for-profit organisation established in 1958, whose main function is to deliver VET accredited courses to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from across Australia, offering specialised courses in an environment that supports Aboriginal ways of learning. The College has been a pioneer in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adult education, training and social action for over 50 years.

Tranby provides fee for service courses for a range of organisations such as Aboriginal Land Councils and the Aboriginal Legal Service, and offers venue hire services for organisations to undertake seminars and planning days. The College also partners with other organisations to deliver programs to benefit Indigenous people, such as the Indigenous Youth Leadership Program in partnership with Gilbert & Tobin, and the Indigenous Women’s Leadership Program in partnership with NCOSS.

An essential part of Tranby’s philosophy and success is that of Indigenous ownership and control. Tranby has an 8 member Board, all of whom are Indigenous, while over 50% of Tranby’s staff is of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent.

Currently, approximately 120 Indigenous course participants attend from metropolitan, regional and remote areas from across Australia and the Torres Strait Islands, many of whom have limited formal secondary education, others who are looking to matriculate to University, others undertaking post secondary studies for the first time and/or re-entering the education system after a long absence.

The College offers four VETAB nationally accredited Diploma courses-

Diploma of National Indigenous Legal Advocacy

Diploma of Business (Governance)

Advanced Diploma of Applied Aboriginal Studies

Diploma of Community Development

These are undertaken in one-week blocks six times per year for the duration of the two-year Diploma courses (National Indigenous Legal Advocacy; Diploma in Community Development; Advanced Diploma in Aboriginal Studies) and one-year Diploma in Governance (Indigenous Communities). Course work also includes community based projects and research between blocks.

These courses have been developed in consultation with Indigenous Elders and community members in response to community needs and aspirations. The focus of the courses available at Tranby is to consolidate skills, knowledge and expertise, which enhances the abilities of community organisations and individuals to determine their own directions.

Tranby prides itself on its informal and friendly atmosphere while aiming to achieve the highest standard of educational outcomes for students. Featuring unique, culturally appropriate architecture and surroundings, and tailored teaching, communication and assessment methods, Tranby’s learning environment nurtures the needs of the individual and the community.

As we begin our next 50 years of operation, we remain committed to the principles that have forged Tranby into the iconic institution it is today – to provide high quality education to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from across the country and to provide a strong social and political voice in issues that affect Indigenous people.

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