Indigenous Blak Hack Program

This program is for Indigenous students across Australia who are in year 12.

"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.

Full meals will be provided 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.

A hackathon is an event where people come together to solve problems or create new ideas, usually within a set period, like 24 or 48 hours. It’s called a "hackathon" because it’s about quickly building (or "hacking together") a solution, whether it’s a new app, a plan, or a prototype. In a hackathon, participants work in teams, share their skills, and learn from each other.

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 Perouse Lodge and provided full meals for every day of their stay (we cater for all dietary requirements).

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.

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.

This program is only open to students currently enrolled in year 12.

If they will be in year 10 or 11 in 2026, we reccommend signing them up to our Indigenous Youth Leaders program, opens in a new window.