SENATOR MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY
MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS
SENATOR FOR THE NORTHERN TERRITORY

ANDREW GILES MP
MINISTER FOR SKILLS AND TRAINING

MARION SCRYMGOUR MP
MEMBER FOR LINGIARI


TURBOCHARGED $25 MILLION TAFE CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE TO BOOST ESSENTIAL CARE ACROSS THE NORTHERN TERRITORY

 
The Albanese Labor Government is partnering with the Northern Territory Government to deliver a turbocharged TAFE Centre of Excellence, specialising in essential care and services, that will deliver skills across the Northern Territory.

The governments are investing a combined $20.1 million to deliver the Regional and Remote Essential Care Services (RRECS) Centre of Excellence, through Charles Darwin University and Batchelor Institute.

The Albanese Government is providing an additional $5.3 million to turbocharge the establishment of the RRECS Centre of Excellence – bringing the total investment to $25.4 million.

The RRECS Centre of Excellence will be established through two central training hubs in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek and make mobile services available in remote areas.

The key aim is to increase training capability in essential health care services, with particular focus on aged care, birthing, children’s healthcare and mental health care.

The RRECS Centre of Excellence will help boost participation in training and upskilling for First Nations Australians and people in remote communities and will develop a Higher Apprenticeship Pathway to address qualification gaps and grow the essential care workforce.

The Albanese Government’s turbocharging measure will enable a series of mobile training units to be fast-tracked, so locals can access critical skills training sooner. 

Each Centre focuses on areas of high skills need to help deliver a skilled workforce for strategically important industries.

The Albanese Government is investing $325 million under the five-year National Skills Agreement to establish a national network of up to 20 TAFE Centres of Excellence.

Funding for TAFE Centres of Excellence is part of the landmark investment by the Albanese Government in the five-year National Skills Agreement, which was endorsed and funded in October 2023. Funding arrangements for the RRECS Centre of Excellence were finalised prior to the caretaker period.

Quotes attributable to the 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 the 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.”

Quotes attributable to the Northern Territory Minister for Education and Training, Jo Hersey:

“The CLP Finocchiaro Government know that education and training are fundamental to rebuilding our economy and the NT RRECS will create real opportunities for locals, growing our essential workforce, and delivering stronger outcomes for the Territory now and into the future.

“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 areas.

“By bringing training closer to home, we’re supporting Territorians to build skills and careers within their own communities.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Lingiari, Marion Scrymgour:

“Increasing training for workers in regional and remote areas of the Territory is crucial to the delivery of essential healthcare services.

“This funding agreement will provide more local health care workers, more local jobs and better access to healthcare for Territorians.”
 
TUESDAY, 15 APRIL 2025