Deadly Coders Academy
Halfway Milestone Signals Real Impact for Students and Industry
At the halfway point of the inaugural Deadly Coders Academy, the results speak for themselves, and the future looks even brighter.
In partnership with ANZ Bank, Deadly Coders Academy set out to create a culturally safe, supportive and skills focused pathway into the tech sector for First Nations students. Now, with the pilot cohort reaching the midpoint of the 16 week software engineering bootcamp, early indicators show the program is exceeding expectations.
The majority of students are on track to complete the bootcamp successfully, and a number have already demonstrated the skills, mindset and professionalism that will make them strong candidates for internship opportunities and ultimately full time employment.
Student Growth and Confidence
One of the most promising outcomes has been the growth in student confidence. For many participants, this is their first experience in a professional tech learning environment. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with students noting the cultural safety of the space, the engaging nature of the curriculum, and the support provided by mentors and facilitators.
Deadly Coders is proud of the students' progress and the strong sense of community that has developed within the cohort. Peer to peer support and shared learning have been key to creating a learning environment where everyone feels they belong.
Stronger Together: A Genuine Partnership with ANZ Bank
The partnership between Deadly Coders and ANZ Bank has been a critical enabler of this program’s success. ANZ Bank has demonstrated a real commitment to walking alongside First Nations talent and building a workforce that reflects the diversity of our communities.
The collaboration has gone beyond funding and logistics. There is a strong working relationship and a shared desire to keep learning, improving and scaling what works. Regular feedback sessions have led to several key program improvements already, with more planned for future cohorts. These learnings will ensure even greater outcomes for both students and ANZ Bank as the program evolves.
Recognition and Momentum
While the work is always focused on impact, it is also encouraging to see the program being recognised externally. The Deadly Coders Academy recently won a Reconciliation Queensland award and has been nominated for a 2025 Tech Diversity Award.
These acknowledgements affirm what we are seeing on the ground, that Deadly Coders Academy is not just a good idea, but a powerful model for real change.
Looking Ahead
With the bootcamp phase drawing closer to completion, attention is now turning to the internship and employment phase of the program. We are confident that many of the students will thrive in a professional setting, and we are excited about the opportunity to support them into roles where they can continue to grow and contribute.
The success of this first cohort lays a strong foundation for future expansion. Plans are already underway to double the cohort size and expand to Sydney and Adelaide in 2026. A new cybersecurity stream is also being explored to broaden the range of career opportunities.
Thank You
To our friends at ANZ Bank, thank you. This is what true partnership looks like. Together, we are building a pipeline of First Nations tech talent and creating a future where our mob are not just participating in the digital economy, but leading it.
We look forward to celebrating even more milestones together in the months ahead.
– The Deadly Coders Team
Deadly Coders is here to help!
Deadly Coders is a trusted partner to like-minded businesses, developing sustainable Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) implementation programs. If you’re an organisation looking to support First Nations talent in STEM and technology, reach out to Deadly Coders.
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Discuss your Reconciliation Action Plan program with our team today