Getting Territory students work ready
The Territory Government is supporting our students to get work ready through a record investment in Territory schools and by creating more pathways to work opportunities within the secondary education system.
Fully resourcing Territory schools
All government schools across the Territory will be fully and fairly funded by the Territory and Commonwealth governments following a historic agreement to increase funding to 100 per cent of the Schooling Resource Standard, by 2029.
Under the agreement, the Commonwealth will invest at least an additional $738 million from 2025 to 2029 and the Territory Government has committed at least an additional $350 million over the same period. The additional funding will also enable the Territory to move to enrolment-based funding.
Education funding for government schools totals a record $890 million in 2024-25, a $100 million increase since Budget 2023.
Budget 2024 also invests $34 million over three years and $2.5 million ongoing from 2027-28 to replace the out-dated Student Administration and Management System. A new fit-for-purpose Education Management System will be operational by 2027 and provide more streamlined and accurate records of student enrolment, attendance and performance.
Getting work ready
The Territory Government continues to build a skilled and capable workforce to meet the needs of industry and business, and fill job opportunities created by continuing strong economic growth in the Territory, through the:
- higher education scholarship program, which encourages local school leavers to complete tertiary studies that lead to employment in the Territory. Up to 20 scholarships are awarded annually to eligible year 12 graduates, providing up to $5,000 in financial support each year for Territory students to complete their first undergraduate degree
- workwear and gear bonus that provides up to $1,000 to support first-year apprentices and trainees buying workwear and equipment
- apprenticeship and traineeship travel and accommodation subsidy scheme, which supports apprentices and trainees who live more than 50 kilometres (one way) from the nearest registered training organisation that provides off-the-job training for their qualification
- new student skills centre in the remote community of Tjuwanpa, located near Ntaria (Hermannsburg).
Support for schools
Budget 2024 continues to support the future of Territorians through a record $1.5 billion investment in education and training across the Territory, including:
- $31.7 million to continue implementing the Indigenous Education Strategy, jointly funded with the Commonwealth
- $24 million for apprenticeships and traineeships in 2024-25, to offer Territorians the opportunity to study and earn an income while undertaking a qualification
- $8.7 million to construct a new early years preschool space and administration building at Alekarenge School
- $2 million to plan for enrolment growth in secondary and special education in the Palmerston growth area
- $1.9 million to refurbish and purchase new equipment for Yirrkala School.
Mini Woolies
The Territory Government has partnered with Woolworths to open the first Mini Woolies at Henbury School, which simulates a supermarket setting.
This partnership supports Territory students’ education through hands-on-learning experiences and provides them with transferrable skills for future VET pathways and employment opportunities.
Back to School voucher
Budget 2024 continues to put downward pressure on the cost of living by providing $8.2 million to continue delivering Back to School vouchers.
The annual $200 Back to School voucher is available for all enrolled Territory students from preschool to year 12 to assist with paying back-to-school expenses such as uniforms, stationery, excursions, camps and elective activities.
Skills and training
Budget 2024 is upskilling Territorians to get them work ready and support employment through a $109.2 million commitment to workforce development, including vocational education and training, to ensure the skill requirements of the Territory economy are met through training, workforce growth and skilled migration initiatives.
In the Territory, students can enrol in vocational education and training from year 9 and select qualifications from courses offered through registered training organisations while at school. Vocational education and training can also be used towards the Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training.
Printable fact sheet
Get a printable copy of the getting Territory students work ready fact sheet PDF (745.0 KB).