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Indigenous Blak Hack Program (Blak Hack)

Teaching year 12 students how to hack complex problems

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Australian Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila audax) flying from a tree

What is Blak Hack?

The Indigenous Blak Hack Program is a week-long program held at UNSW's Kensington campus for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students in year 12.

With the guidance of community leaders and UNSW faculty staff, they'll "hack" a solution to some of the most pressing issues facing Indigenous peoples.

Spaces are limited, so apply today.

  • This program is for Indigenous students across Australia who’ll be in year 12 in 2025.

    If they’re looking for an interactive experience that will challenge and improve their problem-solving abilities, and want to better understand which career path they're excited by, this is the program for them!

  • "Hacking" complex problems

    Over the course of a week, students will participate in a hackathon (hacking marathon) where they will rapidly prototype innovative and novel solutions to a complex issue affecting Indigenous peoples.

    In collaboration with UNSW faculty staff, they'll learn strategies to break down large problems; seeing how different vocations (such as Law, Medicine and Engineering) approach and tackle challenges.

    Community members will help students view the issue through social and cultural lenses, helping them sense-check if their solutions are appropriate and viable.

    By the end of the week, students will have a framework to apply to the issues they'll face throughout their lives (both big and small) and a better understanding of which career path they'd like to follow.

    Where will students be housed?

    Students will stay on campus at UNSW Kensington for the entirety of this week-long program.

    They will be housed in co-ed accommodation at , and be provided full meals for every day of their stay (we cater for all dietary requirements).

    Will students be supervised?

    Nura Gili and UNSW staff and student ambassadors will be supervising students during the program.

    Expected behaviour

    Students participating in this program are expected to treat their peers and Nura Gili/UNSW staff with respect, and participate in the program with curiosity.

    Should a student not follow the rules of the program, act in a disrespectful, rude or violent manner, not participate in the program, or fail to listen to instructions or warnings, they will be removed from the program and sent home.

  • How to tackle problems, big and small

    Students will discover a framework to apply to the issues they'll face throughout their lives (both big and small).

    Which career pathway is for them

    Students will better understand which career path they'd like to follow.

  • The program runs for one week and is held at .

    Travel to Sydney to attend the program, and travel home after the program are not considered as being part of the program's duration.

  • There are no costs associated with applying for or participating in this program.

    Nura Gili and UNSW cover all costs for travel, accommodation and meals during the program.

UNSW signage at Kensington campus

Apply for Blak Hack

Spaces for Blak Hack are limited, and applications are considered on a first-come-first-served basis—

Please read the following information carefully, and follow all the instructions to ensure your application is valid.

  • Complete a Blak Hack application with the student, and attach all supporting documentation before applications close on Mon 2 Dec 2024.

  • We will review your application and get in touch if any further information is needed.

  • If we accept your application, the student will be offered a place in our upcoming Youth Leaders program!

    Accept the offer, and we'll yarn about getting the details sorted (e.g. travel arrangements, dietary requirements, etc.)


Got a question?

If you have any questions or concerns about this program, please get in touch.

Our friendly staff are here to help!

Frequently asked questions

  • Any Indigenous students across Australia who’ll be in year 12 in 2025 can apply.

  • There are no costs associated with applying for or participating in this program.

    Nura Gili and UNSW cover all costs for travel, accommodation and meals during the program.

  • Due to the limited number of spaces, entry into this program cannot be guaranteed.

    If your application is unsuccessful, we'll do our best to place the student into the next session or another similar program.

  • If the student won't be in year 12 in 2025 they won't be able to attend this program. Please in the program, we'll yarn about what your options are.

    If they will be in year 10 or 11 in 2025, we reccommend signing them up to our Indigenous Youth Leaders program.

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Get in touch with us your preferred way

If you have any questions or would like more information about the program, please contact us or subscribe to Nura Gili to stay up to date with the latest news, updates, engagements and events.

Acknowledgement of Country

UNSW is located on the unceded territory of the Bidjigal/Bedegal (Kensington campus), Gadigal (City and Paddington campuses) and Ngunnawal peoples (Canberra) who are the Traditional Custodians of the lands where each campus of UNSW is situated.