Facts and figures
The achievements of Indigenous peoples are not just remarkable for their number, but also for their diversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are represented in all of the major service professions, including: education, law, health, veterinary sciences, forestry, local government, clerical services, accounting and construction.
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The former Department for Education Science and Training reported that in 2005 a total of 1,195 Indigenous people had completed their higher education degree, with 132 postgraduates.
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The ABS census reports that in 2006 there were
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17,422 Indigenous people enrolled in tertiary or university study
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6,840 Indigenous people holding management positions, 13,850 in professional positions and 14,727 employed as technicians or as trades workers.
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54,800 Indigenous people employed in major cities, 63,200 in regional areas and 42,200 in remote areas.
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10,162 Indigenous people recorded as working in the education and training sector.
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In 2007 the NSW Department of Education and Training stated that there were 214 teachers who have identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander permanently appointed as teachers in NSW public schools; with 61 scholarships offered for those Indigenous students studying teaching.
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In the health sector there are approximately 120 doctors, and 120 medical students. To complement these doctors, of all nurses in Australia, Indigenous people account for 0.4% of these; with 16 Indigenous nursing students offered federal government scholarships each year.
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The Australian Government is providing $13.9 million over four years to establish two new undergraduate courses in veterinary science and tropical agriculture at James Cook University. The University will receive 50 new undergraduate places for the veterinary science course and a further 50 new places for the tropical agriculture course. These 100 new places will be allocated in 2006 and increase to 274 places by 2009.
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While there are no national statistics to indicate the number of practicing lawyers in the country, Victoria alone has fourteen practicing Indigenous lawyers, with two being barristers, and another two expected to complete the Bar Reader's Course during 2008.
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