The VET Policy Partnership is a nationally networked partnership bringing together equal First Nations and government representatives. It drives system‑wide reform of VET to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners, providers and communities, and to accelerate progress on Targets 5, 6 and 7 under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
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First Nations VET Policy Partnership
The National Skills Agreement (Clause A99) commits the Commonwealth to work in partnership with the states and territories and the Coalition of Peaks, This is supported by Clauses 28-33 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap on Priority Reform 1 for establishing Formal Partnerships and Shared Decision-Making between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parties and governments.
On 28 and 29 July 2026, the VET Policy Partnership held its inaugural meeting on Turrbal and Yuggera Country, in Meanjin Brisbane. The department and the Indigenous Centre of Vocational Excellence (ICOVE) co-chair the VET Policy Partnership, which is comprised of equal government and First Nations members.
The Minister for Skills and Training, the Hon Andrew Giles MP, addressed members, reflecting on the significance of the VET Policy Partnership as a mechanism under the National Skills Agreement (NSA) to support implementation of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
Ms Donnella Mills, Lead Convenor of the Coalition of Peaks, also addressed members, highlighting the importance of advancing Priority Reform One through shared decision-making between governments and First Nations representatives to work towards improved outcomes for First Nations peoples.
The VET Policy Partnership is underpinned by the Agreement to Implement. The VET Policy Partnership Agreement to Implement sets out the agreed terms of working in partnership between all levels of government and the Coalition of Peaks and First Nations representatives.
The intended outcome of the VET Policy Partnership is to strengthen high-quality VET skills offerings for First Nations learners, leading to improved employment opportunities.
The VET Policy Partnership will report through to the Skills and Workforce Ministerial Council. The governance and operating model of the VET Policy Partnership reflects the partnership principles and priority reforms of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, while maintaining accountability through reporting to Skills Ministers. This approach has been endorsed by the Joint Council.
Role
The VET Policy Partnership aims to improve outcomes for First Nations VET learners, providers and communities. This focus is to:
- Work across governments, industry and other Closing the Gap Policy Partnerships to support joined‑up action, system‑wide reform to embed the Closing the Gap Priority Reforms and accelerate progress on Closing the Gap Targets 6 and 7
- Identify national VET reform priorities and make agreed recommendations to the Skills and Workforce Ministers Council to improve skills, training and employment outcomes.
Members
The VET Policy Partnership has 20 members with a quorum of at least 7 government and 7 First Nations members.
The partnership is co-chaired by a:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander co-chair who is:
- a senior representative of the ICOVE host organisation
- government co-chair who is:
- a deputy secretary from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.
The ICOVE operates as an alternative model to a First Nations skills peak and functions as a national, evidence informed best practice VET hub that promotes high quality, culturally responsive training opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, with strong pathways to employment outcomes.
The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations has lead policy responsibility for skills, employment and the VET system.
Membership includes:
- representatives from federal, state and territory governments, including eligible jurisdictions
- 5 representatives from the Coalition of Peaks, including the ICOVE co-chair
- 5 independent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives, including a representative nominated by the First Nations RTO Community of Practice
See the Agreement to Implement for a full list of partnership members.
Governance
The VET Policy Partnership reports to the Skills and Workforce Ministers Council with linkages to the Closing the Gap governance architecture. The Joint Council on Closing the Gap supports joint priority setting and provides oversight to ensure the work of the VET Policy Partnership aligns with the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and its Priority Reforms. These connections ensure skills and workforce reform is coordinated, transparent and accountable.
Objectives
The objectives of the partnership are to:
- Establish a nationally networked partnership between governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives to strengthen shared decision‑making in VET.
- Improve access to, and outcomes from, high‑quality and culturally safe VET for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners across metropolitan, regional and remote Australia.
- Drive system‑wide VET reform that supports self‑determination and delivers better skills, training and employment outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
- Support the sustainability, capacity and growth of Aboriginal Community‑Controlled and First Nations‑owned training providers.
- Accelerate progress on the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, particularly Targets 6 and 7, through coordinated national action.
Meetings and Communiques
The VET Policy Partnership aims to meet at least 4 times a year.
- Induction Meeting held virtually – 22 July 2025
- VET Policy Partnership Meeting 1 in Meanjin/Brisbane – 28-29 July 2026
Interim Partnership Committee
Established in October 2024, the department and the Coalition of Peaks co-chaired the First Nations VET Interim Partnership Committee (IPC). This group made up of equal representatives from the Peaks and government met six times to co-design the final design of the VET Policy Partnership, including governance and membership.
On 5 December 2025, Skills Ministers met to consider the First Nations VET Policy Partnership – including the proposed approach to implementation.
Please see Skills and Workforce Ministerial Council communiques for more information.
Leadership roundtables
Commencing in 2024, First Nations partner organisations, the Australian Government, and state and territory governments are coming together for a series of leadership roundtables. These roundtables are an opportunity to share stories and experiences and to collaborate on ways we can improve skills and training outcomes for First Nations peoples.
Roundtable 2 Meeting Communique – 7 June 2024
Roundtable Meeting Communique – 18 March 2024
Related committees or groups
- Closing the Gap Joint Council
- Skills and Workforce Ministerial Council
- Justice Policy Partnership
- Early Childhood Care and Development Policy Partnership
- Housing Policy Partnership
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages Policy Partnership.
- Social and Emotional Wellbeing Policy Partnership
- First Nations Economic Partnership
Contact
For further information, please contact firstnationspartnerships@dewr.gov.au