A national organisation of students which sought to increase Aboriginal participation in tertiary education. To this end its members engaged in fund-raising activities. 'Abschol' also came to pursue wider political objectives of effecting reform in Aboriginal social and legal conditions and land rights. 'Abschol' was established in 1951 at the University of Melbourne. The main figure in the early years was Philip Boas, from the Social Studies Department at the University of Melbourne.

Diane Elizabeth Barwick's PhD research in Melbourne in 1960-63 brought her into contact with Phillip Boas, and other members of Abschol.