AbSec to help deliver $100m NSW First Nations investment

A $100 million joint Federal and NSW Government investment will expand First Nations vocational education and training across NSW, with AbSec’s Learning and Development Centre (LDC) confirmed as a delivery partner through to December 2028.

AbSec NSW Child, Family and Community Peak Aboriginal Corporation welcomed the $100 million package, jointly funded by the Federal and State Governments with $50 million each.

The announcement confirms AbSec LDC’s role in delivery as part of a multi‑year plan to strengthen culturally safe training and workforce capability for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in NSW.

Key Points

The funding includes two major allocations:

• $83.4 million to strengthen Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisation (ACCO) Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), covering training quality, student supports, governance, compliance, outreach roles, and an innovation fund for community-based training delivery
• $7.6 million to grow the First Nations VET teaching workforce

According to AbSec, these measures aim to build the capacity of ACCO RTOs and expand teaching capability to meet sector needs, with delivery continuing to December 2028.

Partnership and governance

The AbSec LDC is one of seven Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisation (ACCO) Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) that participated in designing the Stage 2 Implementation Plan. AbSec confirmed the LDC will continue as a partner in delivery alongside the NSW Department of Education and the peak Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG).

As the registered training arm of AbSec NSW Child, Family and Community Peak Aboriginal Corporation, the LDC’s programs are anchored in community need, shaped by lived experience of the care and protection system, and aligned with AbSec’s broader mission of community-led reform.

 Closing the Gap commitments

AbSec stated the National Skills Agreement Closing the Gap commitments recognise that ACCO RTOs are uniquely placed to deliver vocational training that is both culturally safe and professionally rigorous. Participation in Stage 2 is intended to strengthen the workforce supporting Aboriginal children and families across NSW.

Through the AbSec LDC, this work will focus on building skills, strengthening culturally informed practice and developing capability across the sector. The organisation emphasised the need for practitioners to better navigate systems, keep children connected to family, culture and community, and support the self-determination of Aboriginal families and communities.

What AbSec LDC will deliver

Under the Stage 2 agreement, the AbSec LDC will focus on a sustainable, innovative training model for the NSW child and family community services sector. Delivery includes accredited and short courses that address critical skill gaps, training that integrates Indigenous knowledge systems and builds culturally responsive practice, and flexible, truth-based learning that reflects and respects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander experiences.

The LDC will also provide holistic support pathways for Aboriginal students—particularly those with lived experience of the care and protection system—to engage or re-engage with learning. Alongside student supports, the LDC will lead broader capacity building across the NSW child and family community services sector to drive better outcomes for Aboriginal children, young people and families.

AbSec CEO, John Leha, said the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the child protection system remains one of the most urgent challenges facing communities. He added that building a skilled and culturally grounded workforce is essential to change, and emphasised that AbSec LDC is developing training that reflects Aboriginal knowledge, lived experience and community leadership.

“We are delighted to be part of this landmark agreement”

— John Leha

Mr Leha said the agreement will support meaningful change for children, families and communities, with investment directed to Aboriginal-led workforce development and community-centred training solutions.

Community-informed training approach

AbSec highlighted that, as the training arm of the NSW peak body for Aboriginal child and family services, the LDC’s strategy is directly informed by AbSec’s policy work, community relationships and advocacy. Program design draws on sector insights, community knowledge, and the wisdom of Elders and people working across ACCOs.

“As the training arm of the NSW peak body for Aboriginal child and family services, our strategy is directly informed by AbSec’s policy work, community relationships and advocacy’” Alira Tufui, Director of Sector Innovations, said.

“Our training is informed by the sector, shaped by community knowledge and guided by the wisdom of Elders and people working across ACCOs. Through our connection to the NSW peak body, we are constantly listening to, and capturing, the needs emerging across the sector, ensuring our training reflects the real challenges organisations face and the skills the workforce needs to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities.”

About AbSec

AbSec is the peak Aboriginal organisation in NSW dedicated to empowering Aboriginal communities by advocating for the rights, safety and wellbeing of Aboriginal children, young people and families. The organisation supports community-led solutions, shapes policy, and drives reforms that aim to ensure every Aboriginal child and young person grows up strong in culture and identity.