$100m to back First Nations vocational education in NSW

First Nations students across New South Wales will soon benefit from expanded access to Vocational Education and Training (VET) support under a $100 million joint investment by the Federal and the State governments in partnership with Aboriginal training and community organisations.

This investment, announced in Sydney, will help students stay engaged in training and improve pathways into jobs and further study.

It will also deliver mentoring, wellbeing services, and outreach support for students to ensure they are supported across New South Wales, whether this be in the cities, the regions or remote parts of the State.

Five-year agreement

The funding will strengthen the work of Aboriginal Community Controlled and First Nations-owned training organisations, grow the First Nations VET workforce to teach more students, and improve knowledge across the system.

The investment delivers the second and final stage of the NSW Closing the Gap Bilateral Implementation Plan under the $30 billion National Skills Agreement, a landmark five-year agreement between the Albanese Government and state and territory governments.

The Federal and State governments will each contribute $50 million to activities under the plan:

• $83.4 million to strengthen Aboriginal Community Controlled and First Nations-owned training organisations, including:
• $42 million to improve training quality, student supports, governance, compliance and outreach roles
• $36.4 million for an innovation fund to support outreach training delivered in local communities
• $5 million for Aboriginal‑led research and evaluation, embedding Aboriginal led methodologies, to strengthen self-determination, accountability and continuous improvement.
• $9 million to support and expand collaboration between Aboriginal Community Controlled Registered Training Organisations and the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group through dedicated on the ground resources to strengthen the partnership capacity of the Aboriginal Community Controlled training sector in NSW.
• $7.6 million to grow the First Nations VET teaching workforce and improve knowledge across mainstream training providers, ensuring VET trainers have the capacity and expertise to support the community.

“We’re making sure VET works better for students, families and communities across New South Wales by strengthening training and student support,” Federal Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles said.

“By backing First Nations led training organisations and growing the First Nations VET workforce, we’re building a more inclusive skills system that sets New South Wales up for the future.

Strong foundation

The chief executive of the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW, Nicole Turner said the AH&MRC and their Member Services welcome this investment as a significant step forward in strengthening the Aboriginal health workforce across New South Wales.

“Building on an already strong foundation, this investment will support Aboriginal Community Controlled Registered Training Organisations (ACCRTOs) to enhance workforce capability and deliver culturally safe, community-led training.

“It also reinforces the critical role of ACCRTOs in leading workforce solutions designed by and for Aboriginal communities.”