You can apply for the Tirkandi Inaburra Program online, or download the application form and submit via email or post. You can ask your school to complete and submit the form direct to us.

Or, you can get in touch with our friendly team and we’ll support you through the application process as much as possible. Find out more about making an application.

Anyone can refer a young Aboriginal male (aged 12 to 15 years) to the Tirkandi Inaburra Program, including:

• Family members and carers
• Community members
• Government or non-government organisations (such as the Department of Education, community services or local lands council)
• Any other organization

We welcome applications from Aboriginal males aged 12 to 15 years who reside in our catchment area, are non-serious offenders, do not present with serious mental health or behavioural concerns, and meet one or more of the following selection criteria:

• Are exhibiting signs of disengagement from family and community life
• Have low levels of literacy and numeracy and want to improve
• Want to make the ‘shift’ and improve their life prospects
• Are coming to the notice of police
• Are at risk of involvement with the criminal justice system
• Are making their first appearance in court
• Are not attending school regularly, or have a history of absenteeism and truancy
• Have dropped out of or been suspended from school
• Are exhibiting signs of being influenced by negative role models

All Aboriginal boys referred to the program must agree to voluntarily enter the centre and commit to the full program. Find out more about making an application.

We may give priority to applicants who:

• Have support from either their family, community, or sponsoring agency
• Have a need for intensive work to improve literacy and numeracy
• Are already disengaged from school and community
• Are subject to housing instability, poverty and/or neglect
• Have exposure to, or are starting to undertake, risky behaviours
• Do not have outstanding police or court matters
• Have the ability to manage current medical illness or complex medical needs
• Are assessed as having the potential to benefit from the program
• Demonstrate commitment to undertaking the program (as assessed at interview)

Find out more about making an application.

Under the current Tirkandi Inaburra program criteria, applications from any of the following will not be accepted:

• Non-Aboriginal boys
• Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal girls
• Boys under 12 years or over 15 years at the time of program commencement
• Sex offenders
• Serious violent offenders
• Boys with current drug and/or alcohol dependence
• Boys diagnosed with complex mental illness or complex medical needs which Tirkandi determine are not manageable at the centre
• Boys who are a safety risk to themselves, other participants and/or staff (as assessed by Tirkandi on the basis of information provided)

Find out more about making an application.

No, there is no cost involved whatsoever. No application fees. No program fees. The program is fully funded and everything is paid for, including food, accommodation and all activities. The boys do not need any pocket money while they are on the program, and we kindly ask parents and carers not to give or send the boys any money while they are here. Find out more about making an application.

There are times when we receive more than 14 applications for a single term and need to create a waiting list. Tirkandi and the Department of Education carefully consider all current applications and compile a cohort for each term based on a range of criteria including age, diversity, geography, need, presenting issues and academic ability etc. While places are not awarded on a first-in-best-dressed basis, we recommend submitting your application as early as possible so we can get the ball rolling. Find out more about making an application.

Applications will not be processed until all forms are completed in full. Completed applications are then reviewed by the Yalbalinya Decision-making Panel at mid-term (week 5) and all applicants will be notified in the final week of term, prior to commencement the 10-week program. Find out more about making an application.