Culturally tailored training building stronger and more skilled First Nations communities
Hundreds of First Nations people are accessing free, tailored foundation skills training through the Albanese Government’s Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) program, supported by $38.5 million in community‑led funding.
Around 40 per cent of First Nations adults have minimal English literacy – this number can be as high as 70 per cent in remote communities.
Over the past year, $37.7 million have been invested in 11 SEE First Nations delivery grants, to provide tailored language, literacy, numeracy and digital (LLND) skills in regional and remote Australia.
For example, a $5.5 million grant is supporting foundation skills training across eight Arnhem Land communities, co‑designed with Traditional Owners, ranger groups and community members in locations including:
- Bulman
- Weemol
- Barrapunta (Emu Springs)
- Yathalamarra
- Manmoyi
- Kabulwarnamyo
- Mamadawerre
- Marlkawo
The SEE First Nations program has also provided 30 scoping grants - totalling $805,000 - for recipients to consult with and assess training needs in local communities.
One recipient, Cape York Employment, is using a scoping grant to examine the unique language needs of Far North Queensland communities and support stronger pathways into education and jobs.
First established over two decades ago, the SEE program gives Australians the literacy and numeracy skills they need to increase their employability and open pathways to further education or work.
More information about the SEE program is available on the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles:
“The Albanese Government believes all Australians should have the opportunity to access our skills and training system. Closing the Gap in vocational education and training is a priority that is enshrined in our landmark National Skills Agreement.
“Access to education can transform lives, and by working in partnership with First Nations people we will achieve better training outcomes.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy:
“These grants will ensure more First Nations people have access to community-led, community-designed and community-driven literacy, numeracy and digital skills training.
“Working in partnership with First Nations people is a priority reform under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, and these community-led projects deliver on that.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Lingiari, Marion Scrymgour:
“Organisations across remote communities are receiving funding through this latest round to deliver essential language, literacy, numeracy and digital skills in local communities.
“The Albanese Government recognises that organisations on the ground have the experience and understanding to best deliver programs that give locals the skills they need.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Leichhardt, Matt Smith:
“The fact that two Cape York organisations – Cape York Employment and Pormpur Paanthu Aboriginal Corporation – are among the recipients from these grants is a great demonstration of the work that’s being done in our local communities.
“This funding is focused on improving education and employment pathways for locals, with an emphasis on ensuring they have the skills and confidence to be connected to community.”
DELIVERY GRANTS (ROUNDS 1 AND 2)*
Round 1 successful applicants
| Organisation | Location | Amount |
| Regional Enterprise Development Institute Ltd | Dubbo, NSW | $1,750,000 |
| Tiwi Islands Training and Employment Board | Pirlangimpi, NT; Wurrumiyanga, NT; Milikapiti NT | $3,301,760 |
| Mimal Land Management Aboriginal Corporation | Weemol, NT; Kabulwarnamyo, NT | $5,501,554 |
| Saltbush Social Enterprises Ltd | Darwin, NT | $3,234,752 |
| Literacy for Life Foundation | Yarrabah, Qld; Mossman, Qld; Mapoon, Qld; Cairns, Qld | $12,000,000 |
Round 2 successful applicants
| Organisation | Location | Amount |
| Mudjar Aboriginal Corporation | Chadwick, WA | $399,900 |
| Winun Ngari Aboriginal Corporation | Derby, WA | $1,462,405 |
| Literacy for Life Foundation | Mount Druitt, NSW Kempsey, NSW | $7,000,000 |
| Boomerang Training Solutions | Wollongong, NSW | $369,000 |
| Worn Gundidj Aboriginal Co‑operative Ltd | Portland, Heywood, Hamilton and Warrnambool, Vic | $1,475,046 |
| Kornar Winmil Yunti Aboriginal Corporation | Adelaide, SA | $1,212,691 |
*Delivery grants are for eligible organisations to co-design and deliver English LLND skills training to First Nations people. Delivery grants are typically between $350,000 and $1 million per year over a two to three-ear period for a single site, or up to $3 million per year for delivery at multiple sites.
SEE FIRST NATIONS SCOPING GRANTS*
| Organisation | Location | Amount |
| Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation | Alice Springs and Darwin, NT | $30,000 |
| Urapuntja Health Service Aboriginal Corporation | Sandover, NT | $30,000 |
| Waalitj Foundation Limited | Leonora, WA | $30,000 |
| Her Futures Foundation Limited | Rooty Hill, NSW | $15,000 |
| Her Futures Foundation Limited | Kempsey, NSW | $15,000 |
| Bularri Muulay Nyanggan Aboriginal Corporation | Coffs Harbour, NSW | $25,000 |
| South East Australian Aboriginal Justice Services Limited | Vic | $15,000 |
| Her Futures Foundation Limited | Lismore, NSW | $15,000 |
| Mimal Land Management Aboriginal Corporation | Barunga, NT | $30,000 |
| Kornar Winmil Yunti Aboriginal Corporation | Port Augusta, SA | $30,000 |
| Indigenous Futures Foundation Ltd | Doomadgee, Qld | $30,000 |
| Laynhapuy Homelands Aboriginal Corporation | East Arnhem, NT | $30,000 |
| Pormpur Paanthu Aboriginal Corporation | Pormpuraaw, Qld | $30,000 |
| Seabrook Aboriginal Corporation | Brookton, WA | $15,000 |
| Saltbush Social Enterprises Ltd | Tennant Creek, NT | $30,000 |
| Cape York Employment (Aurukun) | Aurukun, Qld | $30,000 |
| Cape York Employment (Lockhart River) | Lockhart River, Qld | $30,000 |
| Cape York Employment (Cairns) | Cairns, Qld | $25,000 |
| Urapuntja Aboriginal Corporation | Arlparra, NT | $30,000 |
| Nharangga Aboriginal Progress Association | North Moonta, SA | $25,000 |
| Walhallow Local Aboriginal Land Council | Caroona, NSW | $30,000 |
| Red Chief Local Aboriginal Land Council | Gunnedah, NSW | $25,000 |
| Mungalla Aboriginal Corporation for Business | Forrest Beach, Qld | $30,000 |
| Winun Ngari Aboriginal Corporation | Derby, WA | $30,000 |
| Gur A Baradharaw Kod Torres Strait Sea and Land Council | Thursday Island, Qld | $30,000 |
| Gur A Baradharaw Kod Torres Strait Sea and Land Council | Saibai Island, Qld | $30,000 |
| Gur A Baradharaw Kod Torres Strait Sea and Land Council | Mer Island, Qld | $30,000 |
| Gur A Baradharaw Kod Torres Strait Sea and Land Council | Poruma Island, Qld | $30,000 |
| Gur A Baradharaw Kod Torres Strait Sea and Land Council | Badu Island, Qld | $30,000 |
| Worn Gundidj Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd | Warrnambool, Vic | $30,000 |
*Scoping grants provide funding for community engagement, and relationship and capacity building to determine if there is a need for LLND training in a community and to prepare an application for a delivery grant. The maximum funding available for a scoping grant is $30,000 and projects can be for up to six months.
ENDS