First Nations students across New South Wales will soon benefit from expanded access to Vocational Education and Training (VET) support under a $100 million joint investment by the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments in partnership with Aboriginal training and community organisations.
This investment, announced in Sydney today by Minister Giles and Minister Whan, will help students stay engaged in training and improve pathways into jobs and further study.
It will also deliver mentoring, wellbeing services, and outreach support for students to ensure they are supported across New South Wales, whether this be in the cities, the regions or remote parts of the state.
The funding will strengthen the work of Aboriginal Community Controlled and First Nations-owned training organisations, grow the First Nations VET workforce to teach more students, and improve knowledge across the system.
The investment delivers the second and final stage of the NSW Closing the Gap Bilateral Implementation Plan under the $30 billion National Skills Agreement, a landmark five-year agreement between the Albanese Government and state and territory governments.
The Albanese and Minns Labor Governments will each contribute $50 million to activities under the plan:
- $83.4 million to strengthen Aboriginal Community Controlled and First Nations-owned training organisations, including:
- $42 million to improve training quality, student supports, governance, compliance and outreach roles
- $36.4 million for an innovation fund to support outreach training delivered in local communities
- $5 million for Aboriginal‑led research and evaluation, embedding Aboriginal led methodologies, to strengthen self-determination, accountability and continuous improvement.
- $9 million to support and expand collaboration between Aboriginal Community Controlled Registered Training Organisations and the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group through dedicated on the ground resources to strengthen the partnership capacity of the Aboriginal Community Controlled training sector in NSW.
- $7.6 million to grow the First Nations VET teaching workforce and improve knowledge across mainstream training providers, ensuring VET trainers have the capacity and expertise to support the community.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles:
"We're making sure VET works better for students, families and communities across New South Wales by strengthening training and student support."
"By backing First Nations led training organisations and growing the First Nations VET workforce, we're building a more inclusive skills system that sets New South Wales up for the future.
"Labor is the party of skills and training. The Albanese and Minns Labor Governments are delivering the funding, infrastructure and support to ensure that First Nations students can get the skills they need, to play a part in the jobs of the future."
Quotes attributable to New South Wales Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan:
"This combined $100 million investment is about backing First Nations students across New South Wales through improved training quality and support."
"This plan has been co-designed with the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations. This partnership approach is central to delivering better outcomes."
"We're not just investing in students, we're investing in a strong First Nations VET workforce and improving the sector, so the system works better for everyone."
Quotes attributable to CEO of the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW, Nicole Turner:
"The AH&MRC and our Member Services welcome this investment as a significant step forward in strengthening the Aboriginal health workforce across New South Wales.
"Building on an already strong foundation, this investment will support Aboriginal Community Controlled Registered Training Organisations (ACCRTOs) to enhance workforce capability and deliver culturally safe, community-led training.
"It also reinforces the critical role of ACCRTOs in leading workforce solutions designed by and for Aboriginal communities."
