Held annually in Far North Queensland since 2021, the Datathon brings together Indigenous communities, technologists, data professionals, and students to work in teams and co-design digital and data-driven solutions for real-world challenges. It blends traditional knowledge with enabling technologies such as AI, machine learning, drones, and XR.
The 2025 Indigenous Australian Datathon will be held 31 October – 2 November at JCU Ideas Lab in Cairns. It’s free to attend and there are bursaries for travel and accommodation for eligible First Nations participants.
Indigenous Australian Datathon
Date: 31 October – 2 November 2025
Location: JCU Ideas Lab, Cairns
Cost: Free
Find more information and register your interest on the Datathon website.
Purpose and participation
The Indigenous Australian Datathon:
- Combines cultural knowledge with modern tools to address community issues.
- Engages students in digital innovation, creativity and community-focused tech.
- Provides training for technologists in ethical data management and tool development.
- Facilitates collaboration between Indigenous communities and industry who work together in teams to ideate and problem solve solutions.
2024 recap
Over 180 participants joined the event from in Cairns working on unique challenges. More than half the participants identified as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, representing 28 communities and businesses.
On-Country experience – building community beforehand
Ahead of the start of the Datathon participants were welcomed to an On-Country experience hosted by the Goondoi Rangers in Innisfail. Goondoi, named after the Cassowary bird, reflects the values of the Goondoi Arts Aboriginal Corporation, led by Traditional Custodians who champion holistic community development and environmental stewardship. This was a new experience in 2024 led by John Fejo one of the Goondoi Community Leaders.
Attendees learned about conservation, habitat restoration, and wildlife monitoring, and engaged in:
- ancestral storytelling and dance
- a guided rainforest tour
- drone training
- a traditional lunch prepared by Goondoi community women.
The On-Country experience is being repeated in 2025 because of its success in grounding the Datathon in a cultural context and highlighting the power of combining traditional knowledge with technology.
Challenges to solve
Teams tackled seven key challenge areas:
- Food & Agriculture.
- Feral Animals & Invasive Species.
- Country Rehabilitation and Fire Management.
- Protected Area Monitoring.
- Community Services (Housing, Health, Education).
- Disaster Response & Safety.
- Art, Culture & Language.
Standout Solutions
Two winning solutions were developed
Community Emergency App
Designed to improve disaster preparedness in remote communities, this app allows residents to register resources, locate support, and share updates—even offline. Features include cloud sync, local language options, and a generative AI interface. Built by communities for communities, it enhances safety while respecting cultural values.
Feral Animal Management Platform
This AI-powered system helps Indigenous rangers track and manage invasive species like pigs, cattle, and horses. Using object detection, digital surveys, and community reporting, it supports land stewardship and biodiversity protection while engaging youth and exploring future revenue opportunities.
Legacy solutions for stronger futures
Other innovations from 2024 and previous years have included:
- Sustainable agriculture platforms for food security and cultural knowledge sharing.
- Interactive learning tools to reconnect youth with identity.
- Land and visitor management systems to protect sacred sites including utilisation of drone technology to observe turtle tracks.
- AI and drone-based fire and biodiversity monitoring tools and bushfire management.
- Detection and classification of Aboriginal rock art listed as world heritage.
- Development of health technology solutions including an AI-enabled otoscope for early identification of middle ear disease and digital twins and algorithms for diabetes management.
- Application of tracking technology to boating safety in the Torres Straits.
Building Partnerships
Kelvin Ross, Chair of the Queensland AI Hub and sponsor through KJR, emphasised the Datathon’s role in fostering collaboration by connecting industry with community to improve community outcomes. He described it as an important starting point for building relationships, understanding technology, and exploring opportunities for remote and regional communities as well as Indigenous businesses and individuals.
The Datathon is delivered under the Deadly Innovation Strategy, supporting employment and economic development for First Nations Queenslanders.
Last updated: 01 Sep 2025