In the late 1980s, Wollotuka began to design and deliver courses in order to enhance Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander equity and participation within the University.
The Indigenous Education Centre on the Ourimbah Campus (Gibalee) was merged with the Wollotuka School of Aboriginal Studies in late 2002.
Collaborative efforts of Indigenous Student Support, Wollotuka's academic area, Umulliko, Yapug and the Discipline of Aboriginal Health greatly increased during this time.
It is aimed at helping students to develop the necessary academic skills for undergraduate study as well as to become familiar with the University environment.
This is attributed to a variety of initiatives specifically focussed on attracting quality Indigenous applicants, including: As well as helping to deliver these employment programs to the university at large, Wollotuka also provides cultural competency training to existing staff which cultivates knowledge of traditional and contemporary Indigenous practices and perspectives.
The centre was named Umulliko, meaning 'to create, to make, to do', and commenced operations as an entity independent of Wollotuka in 1997.
[17] The University's long-term plan to provide more fitting facilities for the programs was strengthened after an external review recommended merging Wollotuka and Umulliko in 1999.
This move was a part of the push to create a School of Aboriginal Studies with the newly formed Faculty of Education and Arts.
They contribute to wellbeing and support of both students and staff, advise on matters of importance to the community, and help to develop curricula among other functions.
These tasks are intended to enhance Indigenous student and staff retention and success as well as to increase connections between the university and the community.
Birabahn began being used in April 2002 and the official opening took place during the Indigenous Australian Cultural Festival in October of that year.
[20] CDEP workers from Yarnteen Aboriginal Corporation built native plant landscaped gardens and ponds around the building.