First Nations organisations to lead trailblazing new Indigenous Centre of Vocational Excellence

The Albanese Government is backing better jobs and skills outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with the announcement of the Indigenous Centre of Vocational Excellence (ICOVE).

Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles, and Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, have announced Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services (KAMS) Limited and Tranby Aboriginal Cooperative Ltd will operate the ICOVE as the host Aboriginal Community Controlled Registered Training consortium.

The Albanese Government is investing up to $24 million over four years to support the establishment of the ICOVE from 1 July 2026.

The ICOVE is a commitment under the National Skills Agreement to advance Closing the Gap efforts and will be a national hub for best-practice Vocational Education and Training (VET), focused on supporting First Nations learners. 

Providing high-quality training, it will focus on creating more pathways into jobs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The ICOVE will focus on shaping how training is designed and delivered in cities, regional areas and remote communities, so it better meets local skills and workforce needs. 

An independent panel of First Nations experts and government representatives chose the hosts through a competitive, limited grant process.

The Coalition of Peaks and its member organisations designed the ICOVE to be structured around innovation, capacity building, policy and advocacy, and research and data. 

The ICOVE will connect First Nations training and community-led organisations with industry and employers to strengthen skills and workforce solutions for First Nations people. 

For more information go to Indigenous Centre of Vocational Excellence - Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles:

“The Indigenous Centre of Vocational Excellence will help build partnerships across the sectors of health, construction trades and early childhood education to accelerate our efforts to Close the Gap, match the needs of employers and deliver better employment outcomes for First Nations Australians.

“We know there’s a lot of work to do to improve education, training and jobs outcomes for First Nations people. We need to keep driving improvements – and the focused work from this new Indigenous Centre of Vocational Excellence will help us to ensure we’re being effective and locally relevant in how we approach this.

“Our Government is backing Australians to get the skills they want, to help do the jobs local communities need – Free TAFE, to the Key Apprenticeship Program, foundation skills and more.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy:

“The Indigenous Centre of Vocational Excellence is an important step towards Closing the Gap in skills and employment outcomes.

“By embedding First Nations voices, leadership and evidence-based practice within the VET system, the centre will strengthen pathways to sustainable economic participation. 

“When First Nations communities design the training pathways, outcomes are better and people can build futures that align with community needs and aspirations.”

Quotes attributable to the Secretariat for the Coalition of Peaks executive director, Lisa Charles: 

"The Coalition of Peaks welcomes the establishment of the national Indigenous Centre of Vocational Excellence. This is a significant milestone for the VET and skills sector and to provide more cultural inclusive training opportunities.

“We congratulate Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Service and Tranby Aboriginal Co-operative Limited who will host the new Centre of Excellence. 

“Under their expert stewardship, the centre will work across the VET and Skills sector to strengthen evidence-based practice and build culturally inclusive training opportunities to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to take up work."

Quotes attributable to, Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Limited chief executive, Mrs Vicki O'Donnell OAM:

“KAMS and Tranby are proud to be selected to host the ICOVE. 

“Our collaborative approach will be grounded in shared decision-making, strong cultural governance, and accountability to community.

“Both organisations have a trusted history of working together, including through the First Nations Registered Training Organisation Community of Practice and First Nations Interim VET Policy Partnership group.”