In May 2026, the seven members of the Innovative Research Universities (IRU) were joined by two new member universities to form the 2050 Alliance. The IRU website has now been archived. Please find us at 2050alliance.edu.au

IRU recognises the legitimacy of Indigenous Knowledges and celebrates the significant contribution Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make to our member institutions and nation as a whole.

The members of the IRU have a long-standing commitment to be universities of choice for Indigenous students and staff.

IRU members educate 24% of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders students. 2.6% of all our students are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders against a national parity target of 2.3% and overall sector achievement of 1.9%. 1.7% of IRU completions are by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders against overall sector achievement of 1.3%.

IRU members employ 17% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders staff working in Australian universities.

Statement of Intent

The IRU Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Higher Education Statement of Intent was signed on 24 February 2014 and launched by The Hon Alan Tudge MP, the then Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister.

The IRU Statement of Intent sets out how the IRU members will implement a whole of university approach to improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and building understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and knowledge.

IRU Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Network

The IRU Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Network works to advance the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and students across the eight member universities. This includes supporting member universities to be culturally responsive within their institutions and with regard to their local communities.

For more details about the IRU Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Network please contact the IRU secretariat.