Built on community, continuing the journey: CommBank rejoins Indigenous Nationals for 2026 as Official Banking Partner

For 30 years, Indigenous Nationals Presented by BP has brought Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander university students together from across Australia through sport, culture and community. 

In 2026, the event returns to Newcastle to celebrate its 30^th anniversary. It first began in 1996 as a student-led initiative with the Wollotuka Institute at the University of Newcastle. Over time, it has grown into one of the most significant events on the university sporting calendar. 

Each year, students from different universities come together for a week that is about more than competition. It is a chance to build friendships, reconnect with community and meet others navigating similar experiences through university life. 

It all happens in a space grounded in culture and belonging. For many, it is one of the few times each year where that kind of connection happens in one place. 

30 years of connection 

Indigenous Nationals has grown over time without losing what it was built on. 

Across three decades, generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students have shaped the event. They represent their universities with pride and contribute to an environment that feels welcoming and supportive for those who come next. 

That continuity is what keeps people coming back, students, universities and partners like CommBank, who continue to support the event and walk alongside it. 

The relationships built during the week often continue well beyond the event itself, with many staying connected as they move through university, into careers and into community. 

“It’s more than sport.”, said Trent Rose, Indigenous Careers Partner at Commonwealth Bank. “It’s connection through culture, pride and relationships that continue long after the week is over,”  

“Spaces like this remind students they are not doing it alone, and that they are part of something bigger.” 

From connection to pathways 

That sense of connection plays a big role in what comes next. 

“When culture and career sit side-by-side, it creates a sense of belonging first. From there, people back themselves a lot more,” Rose said. 

“That’s where opportunities can open up. Not just getting someone in the door, but helping to create an environment where people feel they belong and can succeed.” 

For many students, university is part of a wider journey that includes identity, leadership and future career pathways. Spaces like Indigenous Nationals give mob the chance to have those conversations in a way that feels natural. 

It is also where students begin to recognise the strengths they are already building. 

“We see a strong sense of purpose. Many are focused not just on their own careers, but on contributing to positive outcomes for their families and community,” Rose said. 

There’s also a real ability to balance different parts of life. Study, work and community all help build strong skills early, including communication, problem solving and leadership.

Supporting pathways during and beyond university 

Commonwealth Bank will again support Indigenous Nationals in 2026 as Official Banking Partner, continuing its involvement in an event that brings together community, culture and future pathways, as part of its broader commitment to supporting First Nations peoples and communities. 

Throughout the week, students can connect with the CommBank team on the ground to learn more about career pathways, build relationships, and access information and resources. 

Students can also explore current opportunities ahead of the event by visiting the CommBank Indigenous Careers page. 

The focus is not just on the week itself, but on what comes after, helping students feel confident in what they can step into next. 

As Indigenous Nationals returns to Newcastle from 29 June to 3 July, the sense of community that has shaped the event for 30 years is as important as ever and continuing a journey that generations of students have helped shape together.