Indigenous Education and Research Centre News and Events Our Events 2026 National Indigenous Learning Support Conference

2026 National Indigenous Learning Support Conference

15–16 October 2026 | James Cook University, Bebegu Yumba campus, Townsville

2026 NILSC Group Photo

Attendees at the 2026 National Indigenous Learning Support Conference, Friday 16 October 2026

Bebegu Yumba (Townsville) campus

Sharing knowledge. Strengthening practice. Supporting Indigenous student success.

Commencing in 2023, the National Indigenous Learning Support Conference (NILSC) brings together Indigenous learning support leaders, practitioners and educators from across the higher education sector to share practice, explore emerging challenges and opportunities, and strengthen professional networks supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student success.

In October 2026, the conference returned to James Cook University, hosted by the Indigenous Education and Research Centre in Townsville. 2026 NILSC provided a national forum for conversations about the changing landscape of Indigenous learning support and the approaches being used across the sector to support students to participate, belong, progress and succeed in higher education.

Across presentations and workshops, delegates explored areas including learner recruitment and workforce development, tutoring and peer support, outreach and pathways, on-campus programs, learner identity and capability, and different approaches to learning support.

Three days of learning and connection

14 OCTOBER: Directors and Managers Half-Day Forum

Focused on Indigenous Learning Support Services in the Emerging Tertiary System, the forum provided an opportunity to look ahead at the changing tertiary education environment and consider what those changes mean for Indigenous learning support services, including service planning, staffing, coordination and supporting larger and increasingly diverse student cohorts.

15 OCTOBER - Conference Day 1

The first full day of 2026 NILSC moved from the wider sector conversation into Indigenous learning support practice across universities. Through plenary presentations and concurrent workshops, presenters shared approaches and experiences across areas including student pathways and outreach, learner recruitment, tutoring and peer support, student engagement and different models of Indigenous learning support.

16 OCTOBER - Conference Day 2

The final day returned to plenary presentations and concurrent workshops, continuing the exchange of ideas and practice from across the sector. Sessions across the conference considered topics including workforce development, outreach and pipeline development, on-campus programs, racism in learning environments, learner identity and capability, and approaches to learning support.

2026 National Indigenous Learning Support Conference Highlights

So many photos were taken over the three days, capturing conversations, presentations, workshops and connections happening across 2026 NILSC. From the pre-conference forum and first sessions on campus to the conference dinner and final day of presentations, these images offer a glimpse into three days of sharing knowledge, learning from practice and connecting with colleagues from across the sector.

View the 2026 NILSC gallery

Explore the 2026 program

Explore the presentations, workshops and people who contributed to 2026 NILSC .

View the 2026 NILSC program

Thank you

Collaborating organisations, presenters, participants, and the many people involved made 2026 NILSC possible.

Thank you to everyone who contributed their time, knowledge and expertise across the three days.

Institutions who attended NILSC 2026