“The number of Indigenous students undertaking [higher degrees by research] remains low and as one Indigenous HDR graduate emphasised, ‘we need more mob doing research. We need to make research part of our language’,” Dr Barney wrote.

But another key aspect was individual support from established academics who identified promising Indigenous students and actively encouraged them to continue beyond graduation.

Without the mentorship Mr Akhurst received, he said he had no idea of continuing into higher research, but was expecting to find a job in the public sector.

“That was my mindset and experience as an Indigenous person growing up, people just didn’t go into that sort of field,” he said.

“I had to work really hard to pull my GPA up high enough to get into honours.

“My GPA went up and I got a first-class honours, now I’m doing masters by research.”

Clearer enrolment processes, larger scholarships and providing a welcoming and encouraging place for Indigenous students were other options Dr Barney found could improve retention and enrolment rates.

Mr Akhurst said another aspect to Indigenous academic success that needed more consideration was the fact that for some students, they were the first in their family to graduate.

Rather than continuing into research, those students could feel more pressure to apply for well-paid private sector jobs that specifically sought Indigenous representation.

“We’re at a point where there’s a lot of identified positions and in the private sector there’s companies that have a mandate that looks to hire Indigenous people, so there is opportunity for any Indigenous person that has an undergraduate degree,” Mr Akhurst said.

“The money is lucrative after being poor for so long, some people are first-time in their family being a university graduate, so there’s that push, that drive to give back to the families immediately.

“It’s something that still needs to be addressed as far as looking toward pathways to research for higher degrees.

“It’s difficult because those outcomes aren’t immediate, you’ve got to do more work, but I think in the long term, they can be quite fruitful – but it’s also not for everyone.”

Dr Barney’s report found that greater emphasis on Indigenous staff at universities was also an important aspect of developing visibility and leadership.

“Indigenous people are under-represented as employees in Australian universities at all levels and increasing the numbers of Indigenous academic staff and particularly senior Indigenous leadership in universities across Australia is also a priority,” she wrote.

Mr Akhurst agreed.

“My story is an example of what should happen,” he said.

“There should be more and more mentorship, and a flagging of young Indigenous talent that comes through undergraduate degrees.

“Maybe workshops that says ‘this is a possibility’ for anyone interested so that they’re aware than a [higher degree] is a possibility.

“But also that the job outcomes that can come from it as well, it’s not just geared towards a career in academics – those research skills are very highly sought after in private sector jobs as well.”