Indigenous Centre of Vocational Excellence

What is the ICOVE?

The ICOVE will operate as an alternative model to a First Nations skills peak and perform the role of a national, evidence-informed best practice vocational education and training (VET) hub to create and promote high quality, culturally responsive training opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students that have strong pathways to employment outcomes.

As the skills peak alternative, the ICOVE will partner with governments in the formation of the VET Policy Partnership and support its operations.

The Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Service Limited in a consortia with Tranby Aboriginal Cooperative Ltd (Tranby) will host the ICOVE built around 4 key pillars of innovation, capacity building, policy and advocacy and research and data.

The ICOVE is a key commitment under Clause A99 of the National Skills Agreement (NSA) and contributes to the implementation of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, particularly Priority Reforms relating to shared decision making, strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled sectors, and improved service outcomes.

A key objective of the ICOVE is to strengthen partnerships with industry (including sectors such as health, construction, net zero, and childcare) and across broader policy areas (including housing, justice, mental health, and economic development) to support skills development that aligns with workforce needs and improves employment outcomes for First Nations peoples.

Ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices are heard

A strong focus of the ICOVE is ensuring that both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices are incorporated through its governance and ways of working. The ICOVE reflects the diversity of First Nations perspectives across urban, regional, and remote contexts and will ensure these voices inform national VET policy and reform.

The ICOVE will include cultural governance structures and the capacity to represent the diversity of First Nations communities nationally.

The ICOVE will engage with, and be accountable to, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, including embedding culturally safe and inclusive approaches across all ICOVE activities.

The ICOVE will operate through shared decision making structures, including co-chairing and joint-secretariat arrangements for the VET Policy Partnership with governments, ensuring First Nations perspectives continue to shape national VET policy and reform implementation. This approach reflects a deliberate shift away from consultative, one-off engagement toward ongoing partnership and representation, ensuring First Nations voices are not only heard during policy design but are embedded in governance, delivery, and evaluation over the life of the ICOVE.

The ICOVE grant process outcome

The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations has finalised the selection phase of the competitive (restricted) grant opportunity to select a First Nations Registered Training Organisation (RTO) as the ICOVE host.

Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Limited (KAMS) in a consortia with Tranby Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd (Tranby) has been selected as the successful host of the Indigenous Centre of Vocational Excellence (ICOVE) and recipient of the ICOVE Grant.

KAMS is a member-based, regional Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service and an Aboriginal Community Controlled Registered Training Organisation (ACCRTO).

Established in 1957, Tranby is Australia’s oldest independent First Nations education and training provider and an Aboriginal Community Controlled Registered Training Organisation with national reach.

The ICOVE will be operational from 1 July 2026.

The grant will be allocated across 4 financial years, commencing in 2025–26 and concluding in 2028–29.

ICOVE information sessions

In November 2025, the department and Coolamon Advisors held 3 public information sessions regarding the ICOVE grant opportunity. All sessions were consistent and covered the same material.

Please see the presentation slides

The information presented was accurate at the time and is subject to change prior to the formal release of the Grant Opportunity Guidelines via GrantConnect.

Probity and fairness

To comply with Commonwealth probity guidelines:

• All information sessions contained the same information and were not open to questions.
• The Australian Government will ensure the grant process is fair, follows the published guidelines, and incorporates safeguards against fraud and unlawful activities.
• The process is consistent with the Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles.

Questions?

If you have questions about the ICOVE, please contact us at firstnationspartnerships@dewr.gov.au.