Aboriginal Studies - HSC

Research Guide for the HSC subject Aboriginal Studies.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visitors are kindly advised that this website includes images, sounds and names of people who have passed.

All users should be aware that some topics or historical content may be culturally sensitive, offensive or distressing, and that some images may contain nudity or are of people not yet identified. Certain words, terms or descriptions may reflect the author's/creator's attitude or that of the period in which they were written, but are now considered inappropriate in today's context.

Key to library resources

Access anywhere with a library card In the Library (or anywhere with a Library card for NSW residents)
Available to access in the library Only in the Library
Publicly available online Publicly available

Finding Information

Where to start?

Look through the pages for different resource types in this guide, each lists many useful links and information to help you.

If you get stuck you can get advice through our Ask a Librarian service. 

Use the new library catalogue to find Library resources such as:

  • Published works like books and reports
  • Unpublished material like photographs and maps
  • Eresources like ebooks and journal articles


Get a Library card to request and use material from the Library’s collections.

We’re a reference library, not a lending library:

  • Books and other materials must be used onsite at the Library
  • Books you have requested will be reserved for 7 days on Lower Ground 2 (LG2) in the Governor Marie Bashir Reading Room
  • You can usually renew your books several times
  • Access many Eresources including ebooks from home with your library card
  • You can borrow some books on interlibrary loan through your public library 
  • These include books published overseas but not all Australian books
  • Speak to your public library about requesting an interlibrary loan

All eresources

Need a quick list of eresources relevant to Aboriginal Studies? Here are 18 key resources in the one location, easy to bookmark for future reference.

Poster saying "rights wrongs write yes for Aborigines on May 27"Aboriginal-Australian Fellowship, 1956-1978 [Right wrongs, write Yes for Aborigines!]

Eresources at the State Library

Here are some simple tips to help you get the most out of searching the Library catalogue. 

  1. Where to start
  2. Search terms
  3. How to refine your search results
  4. Using catalogue records
  5. Browsing Digital Collections only