Charles Darwin University (CDU) TAFE and Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education (BIITE) have received a total of $25.4 million to establish a TAFE Centre of Excellence for Regional and Remote Essential Care Services (RRECS).
The RRECS is a collaboration between CDU TAFE, BIITE, the Northern Territory Government and Australian Government with hubs located in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek that deliver skills across the Northern Territory.
The RRECS will address critical workforce shortages and healthcare delivery challenges in remote and regional areas particularly for First Nations communities in the Northern Territory.
Both the Federal Government and the Northern Territory Government have committed to invest a combined $20.1 million to deliver the RRECS, the Federal Government has committed an additional $5.3 million to enable a series of mobile training units to bring state-of-the-art training to remote areas.
CDU Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive TAFE Michael Hamilton said this unified initiative reflects a comprehensive strategy to transform remote healthcare delivery through culturally informed education, strong partnerships, and innovative training solutions.
"We are committed to supporting essential health services for everyone in the Territory and this initiative will help make this a reality by removing barriers for remote communities," Mr Hamilton said.
"By working in partnership with Batchelor Institute and other local organisations we will be able to address place-based workforce needs by offering tailored training and education with a focus on developing and delivering culturally appropriate and safe training pathways for First Nations students.
"By leveraging CDU and BIITE's expertise, the Centre of Excellence positions the Northern Territory as a model for addressing workforce challenges in regional and remote settings across Australia."
The initiative draws on a strong network of collaborators including existing health services to ensure training is research-informed, culturally appropriate and training aligns with workforce needs and community priorities.
CDU Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Scott Bowman said this is a fantastic new alliance between CDU and BIITE to improve health outcomes for regional and remote people of the NT.
"We are grateful for the support CDU TAFE is getting from the Federal Government and Northern Territory Government for this important project. This is another example of how the new CDU TAFE is benefitting our people," Professor Bowman said.
Batchelor Institute CEO Joe Martin-Jard said Batchelor Institute is thrilled to collaborate on the Regional and Remote Essential Care Services Centre of Excellence delivering critical training in aged care, birthing, children's healthcare, and mental health across the Northern Territory.
"This investment will strengthen our ability to provide culturally responsive education, empowering Indigenous Australians to build a skilled care workforce," Mr Martin-Jard said.
"This Centre of Excellence reflects our commitment to closing the gap through education. By training the next generation of care workers in regional and remote areas, Batchelor Institute is helping to create sustainable opportunities that honour Indigenous Australian values and knowledge."
Minister for Education and Training Jo Hersey said the investment showed real action in creating certainty in our Territory workforce.
"With training hubs based in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek, and mobile services reaching remote areas, this centre will deliver high-quality training in critical care sectors right where it's needed most," said Mrs Hersey.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy:
"The Albanese Labor Government is training the next generation of regional and remote health workers for the Northern Territory.
"This Centre of Excellence will deliver essential care training in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek.
"Labor's investment will also fast-track a series of mobile training units, making access to skills training even easier.
"Alongside our commitment to train 500 First Nations health workers, this investment will ensure greater access to training in regional and remote areas of the NT for our future health workforce."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles:
"The Albanese Government believes in supporting people to reach their full potential.
"An investment in skills is an investment in a better future, especially in the critical area of care and services, so we are committed to ensuring no Australian is left behind or held back.
"We are working to close the gap, by removing barriers to accessing life-changing education and training for First Nations Australians."
"The NT RRECS will build and share their expertise in regional and remote training with TAFEs across Australia."
