The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (the Department) has commenced the process to establish the Indigenous Centre for Vocational Excellence (ICOVE) via a grants process.
On this page:
What is the ICOVE?
The ICOVE is expected to operate as an alternative model to a First Nations skills peak and perform the role of a national, evidence-informed best practice 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.
A First Nations RTO will host the ICOVE built around four key pillars of: innovation; capacity building; policy and advocacy; and research and data.
What is the ICOVE grants process?
The anticipated ICOVE grant opportunity will select an eligible Aboriginal Community Controlled or First Nations Led/Owned Registered Training Organisations (RTO) to commence the design and operations of ICOVE. Coolamon Advisors are supporting the Department with the process.
The ICOVE grant guidelines are in the final stages of design and when finalised, are expected to be published on GrantConnect in early December 2025.
What are the ICOVE Sector Information Sessions?
The purpose of the ICOVE information sessions is to brief the First Nations RTO sector about the ICOVE and the anticipated grant process. The information session will provide a high-level overview of the eligibility requirements and selection criteria for this grant, including the financial and organisational assessments that the Department anticipates conducting, should you apply. This information will be accurate at the time, and is subject to change prior to the formal release of the Grant Opportunity Guidelines via GrantConnect. Prior to submitting an application, Applicants should download, read and respond to the formal Grant Opportunity Guidelines.
All sessions will be the same and cover the same material – you are encouraged to attend one session that suits your availability.
ICOVE Sector Information Sessions
| Session # | Session date and time |
|---|---|
| Session 1 | Wednesday 12 November 2025 12 pm – 1 pm AEDT (9 am – 10 am AWST) |
| Session 2 | Thursday 13 November 2025 12 pm – 1 pm AEDT (9 am – 10 am AWST) |
| Session 3 | Thursday 13 November 2025 3 pm – 4 pm AEDT (12 pm – 1 pm AWST) |
Should you wish to join an ICOVE information session, please contact firstnationspartnerships@dewr.gov.au by 4 pm AEDT Tuesday 11 November 2025 for a calendar invitation.
Please note: To comply with Commonwealth probity guidelines, all information sessions will contain the same information and not be open to discussions during the sessions. The Australian Government will make sure that the grant opportunity process is fair, according to the published guidelines, incorporates appropriate safeguards against fraud, unlawful activities and other inappropriate conduct and is consistent with the Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles.
Questions?
You will not have the opportunity to ask questions in the ICOVE information sessions. Please send any questions to firstnationspartnerships@dewr.gov.au. Questions will be collected, responded to and shared with all organisations post the final ICOVE information session being held.