Remote Training Hubs support First Nations peoples in Central Australia to access On-Country Vocational Education and Training (VET). The Hubs will help to ensure training meets community needs matched to local jobs. It is intended that eligible organisations will be able to apply for Round 4 grant funding in early 2027 to establish and deliver Remote Training Hubs.
Upcoming grant opportunity
Eligible organisations in the Anmatjere, Southern Tanami and Ljirapinta community clusters are expected to be able to apply for the Round 4 Grant in early 2027.
Hubs are intended to be established in one of the locations within each community cluster:
- Anmatjere: Ti Tree, Laramba, Yuelamu and surrounding outstations including Pmara Jutunta, Nturiya, Alyuen, Wilora.
- Southern Tanami: Yuendumu, Nyrippi, Willowra
- Ljirapinta: Ntaria, Utju (Areyonga), Wallace Rockhole
Grant funding supports capital assets and improvements, Hub coordination and mentoring, and transport for participants travelling between surrounding communities and the Hub location.
The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations will be undertaking community engagement in November 2026, before the grant opens.
Applicants would be expected to demonstrate experience delivering services in the community cluster they are applying for, be connected with local communities, and have strong relationships with relevant Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and other stakeholders.
The Grant Opportunity will be published on GrantConnect. Interested organisations should register via GrantConnect to receive information on this or other Australian Government grant opportunities.
On-Country training
The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, the National Indigenous Australians Agency and the Northern Territory Government are working in partnership with First Nations peoples to establish up to 7 Hubs across Central Australia by 30 June 2028.
The Hubs will:
- connect people with training On-Country to develop skills and create pathways to employment
- assist with transport between communities and the Hub
- engage mentors and wrap-around supports to help people connect training qualifications with local job opportunities.
The Hubs have been informed by community consultation undertaken since 2023 and is guided by ongoing advice from the Central Australian Plan Aboriginal Leadership Group.
There have been 3 grant rounds so far and training has commenced in the first Hub in Ltyentye Apurte (Santa Teresa). This hub supports surrounding communities including:
• Ltyentye Apurte (Santa Teresa)
• Titjikala
• Finke (Aputula)
• Amoonguna
Additional Hub grant recipients will be announced in the coming months.
Mobile Training Units
Mobile Training Units (MTUs) are a key component of the Remote Training Hubs Network measure. Desert Peoples Centre Inc (DPC) is the successful recipient of a $3 million Grant to support the delivery of training in remote First Nations communities in Central Australia. DPC will deliver 4 custom-built and industry standard MTUs linked to the following in-demand industries:
- Carpentry
- Conservation and Ecosystem Management
- Hospitality (Cookery)
- Resource and Infrastructure
DPC will lead a joint consortium to enhance the capability of Registered Training Organisations in remote Central Australia to:
- lift the availability of accredited VET
- enhance the ability to viably and affordably provide compliant, simulated work environments
- ensure that appropriate training can be delivered to communities.
The consortium in Central Australia is comprised of Centre for Appropriate Technology, Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education, Charles Darwin University and the Northern Territory Department of Education and Training.
The MTUs commenced delivering training in June 2026.
A Better, Safer Future for Central Australia
The Remote Training Hubs were announced by the Prime Minister on 13 February 2024, as part of the A Better, Safer Future for Central Australia. The Australian Government is investing $30.2 million over 5 years to create opportunities for people living in remote Central Australia, support job creation and improve On-Country learning.