Government, for-purpose, education and workforce

“East Arnhem Land has emerged as a vibrant and enterprising region of the Territory’s economic landscape. With a strong and growing regional centre in Nhulunbuy, high quality services and infrastructure well positioned to support new and growing businesses, and a unique offering for investors and land owners across a range of sectors, East Arnhem has a bright future. My Government stands ready to support land owners and investors to make the most of the rich natural resources and cultural assets of the region and to create jobs and opportunity for all.”

Minister of the Northern Territory Michael Gunner MLA

Three tiers of government

East Arnhem has significant representation from across all three tiers of government, which ensures investors are well supported across any range of matters.

Australian Government

  • National Indigenous Australians Agency
  • National Disability Insurance Scheme
  • Australian Defence Force
  • Department of Social Services
  • Australian Border Force

Northern Territory Government

  • Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet (CM&C)
  • Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade
  • Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security – via CM&C office
  • Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities
  • Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics
  • Department of Education
  • Department of Health and Top End Health Services
  • Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services
  • Department of the Attorney General and Justice – Correctional Services and Community Corrections

Local Government

  • East Arnhem Regional Council (excluding Nhulunbuy township)
  • Nhulunbuy Corporation manages the township of Nhulunbuy, including providing town services and operating and maintaining town infrastructure

For-purpose sector

The East Arnhem for-purpose sector is healthy and diverse, contributing an enormous amount of capacity in the pursuit of social, economic and community development goals. 

Working in close partnership with government and community stakeholders, the for-purpose sector provides significant contributions towards projects that build resilience and drive future sustainability for the region and its people. 

Workforce

East Arnhem has a skilled and diverse workforce with a range of skill sets available. This is the result of long-term involvement with large scale resource operations that have significant infrastructure, machinery, and workforce requirements. 

Coupled with remote area working, this has contributed to a local workforce familiar in dealing with large projects and the associated challenging requirements. 

There is a range of locally available construction trades, including industry qualified teams across the building, civil and other technical professions. A variety of commercial operations also offer a range of civil and mixed works services, including concrete batching plant, block manufacturing facility and timber mill located a short distance from Nhulunbuy. 

There are also critical environmental, rehabilitation, and land management services provided by local Aboriginal organisations. These organisations leverage their unique knowledge of the land and provide customised training to interested parties wishing to gain insight and guidance regarding land care across the region. 

The region is also well supported in workforce training and development through the Australian Government’s Community Development Programme (CDP). The regional contracts for delivery of this program are held by Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation (ALPA), and supported by their range of education and community and economic development programs. ALPA partners with a range of local Aboriginal organisations in various homelands to subcontract the delivery of CDP to ensure participants are well supported into employment.

Academia

The East Arnhem region has made a substantial contribution to partnerships with leading academic institutions. It continues to benefit from those partnerships in the specific areas of health, community, and social development.

South Australia-based Flinders University has had a long association with the region establishing dedicated fit for-purpose infrastructure to support an innovative remote and rural interprofessional placement learning program.

The University of Melbourne works closely with the Yothu Yindi Foundation through a program of work focused on culture, leadership, education, health and research. This includes the implementation of a teaching program across Northeast Arnhem Land, in partnership with the Northern Territory Department of Education.

Education

The breadth of education available in the East Arnhem region exceeds expectations for such a remote location. The region’s larger schools offer a high standard of education, supplemented by impressive school infrastructure and equipment. 

Some of the region’s schools feature ‘both ways’ education for Yolŋu pupils. This learning system values students’ language and cultural background while simultaneously building proficiency in English, maths and other learning areas. Most regional schools teach in both Yolŋu matha (local Aboriginal language) and English – building on the students’ first language and developing English as a second language. These schools often employ Yolŋu teachers and assistant teachers.

Students of East Arnhem are very successful in a range of activities such as sporting events, music, Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards, art, technology, innovation, student exchange programs, traineeships and apprenticeships.

Early childhood/childcare

  • Nhulunbuy Community Child Care Centre
  • Arnhem Early Learning Centre
  • Nhulunbuy Pre-School
  • Gunyaŋara Annex
  • Nhulunbuy Community Neighbourhood Centre
  • Yirrkala Child Care 
  • Families as First Teachers (FAFT) programs

Primary and secondary

  • Nhulunbuy Primary School
  • Nhulunbuy High School 
  • Nhulunbuy Christian School (primary and secondary)
  • Dawurr Boarding Facility (Nhulunbuy)
  • Milingimbi School 
  • Baniyala Garrangali School 
  • Ramingining School 
  • Laynhapuy Homelands School 
  • Yirrkala School 
  • Gapuwiyak School
  • Gawa Christian School (Elcho Island) 
  • Galiwin’ku (Elcho Island) Shepherdson College 

Vocational

Nhulunbuy High School (NHS)

NHS includes a special education annexe, a trade training centre, a maritime training facility and a 40-bed boarding facility for Aboriginal students from remote communities.

NHS’s VET program includes Maritime Studies; Engineering; Conservation and Land Management; Construction; Hospitality and Business; with approval to deliver the following qualifications:

  • Certificate II & III in Business
  • Certificate I & II Engineering
  • Certificate II Engineering Pathways 
  • Certificate II Conservation Land Management
  • Certificate II Construction
  • Certificate II Kitchen Operations
  • Certificate II Hospitality 

More information can be found at nhulunbuyhighschool.com/vet

ALPA Higher Education Hubs

ALPA operates Higher Education Hubs, funded through the Australian Government’s Department of Education, Skills and Employment Regional University Centres.

Currently, there are Higher Education Hubs in Nhulunbuy/Yirrkala, Galiwin’ku and Milingimbi, with Ramingining coming on as a fourth site in 2021. The Hubs provide support to members of the community engaging with VET and Higher Education (tertiary) studies.

In 2020, ALPA Higher Education Hubs are employing Yolŋu mentors to assist learners to further engage with the community and contribute to the structure of the program. Currently, over 150 members from the broader community are engaging support from the hubs studying health, cultural studies, business and governance, community services, education, and retail at ranging levels from Certificate II to Advanced Diploma.

East Arnhem Land Consulting and Training (EALCT)

EALCT run a diverse range of skilled training options including but not limited to various licence qualifications such as Heavy Rigid; forklift; dozer; excavator and machinery; welding; small and large motor repairs; vehicle servicing; landscaping; tree harvesting; and Construction White Card. EALCT is also the only local car driver training and testing provider in Nhulunbuy.

Tertiary

Flinders University

Flinders University Northern Territory has a Clinical Education Training Facility located within the Gove District Hospital grounds and facilitates learning and provides support for students on clinical placement.

The facility is an educational hub used by various stakeholders across the region for:

  • education sessions via video conference for year three and four medical students
  • courses and workshops run by Gove District Hospital 
  • CRANA plus Remote Emergency Care Course
  • interdisciplinary days for students.

The facilities include a Clinical Skills/SimLab/Ward Space, a SimLab Tech Room, two consult rooms and tutorial rooms. Flinders student accommodation includes fully furnished houses and apartments.

For more information, please visit flinders.edu.au/flinders-nt/where-we-are/nhulunbuy 

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