AbSec NSW Child, Family and Community Peak Aboriginal Corporation has welcomed the joint Federal and NSW Government investment of $100 million to boost First Nations vocational education and training across NSW, and confirmed that its registered training organisation, the AbSec Learning and Development Centre (LDC) will partner in its delivery through to December 2028.
The $100 million package, jointly funded by the Federal and State Governments with $50 million each, includes $83.4 million to strengthen Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisation (ACCO) Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) covering training quality, student supports, governance, compliance, outreach roles, and an innovation fund for community-based training delivery — and $7.6 million to grow the First Nations VET teaching workforce.
The AbSec LDC is one of seven Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisation (ACCO) Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) that participated in designing the Stage 2 Implementation Plan, and will continue as partners in its delivery alongside the NSW Department of Education and the peak Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG). AbSec LDC is the registered training arm of AbSec NSW Child, Family and Community Peak Aboriginal Corporation. This connection means the LDC’s training activity is always anchored in community need, shaped by lived experience of the care and protection system, and aligned with AbSec’s broader mission of community-led reform. AbSec CEO, John Leha says “the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the child protection system remains one of the most urgent challenges facing our communities. Building a skilled, culturally grounded workforce is essential to changing that. Through the AbSec Learning and Development Centre we are developing training that reflects Aboriginal knowledge, lived experience and the leadership of our communities. We are delighted to be part of this landmark agreement, which creates a real opportunity to strengthen the Aboriginal-led workforce and deliver meaningful change for our children, families and communities.”
What the AbSec LDC will deliver
Through the Stage 2 agreement, the AbSec LDC will focus on building a sustainable, innovative training model for the NSW child and family community services sector. This includes accredited and short courses that address critical skill gaps, training that integrates Indigenous knowledge systems and
builds culturally responsive practice, and flexible, truth-based learning that reflects and respects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander experiences.
The LDC will also provide holistic support pathways for Aboriginal students – particularly those with lived experience of the care and protection system – to engage or re-engage with learning, alongside broader capacity building across the NSW child and family community services sector to drive better outcomes for Aboriginal children, young people and families.
“As the training arm of the NSW peak body for Aboriginal child and family services, our strategy is directly informed by AbSec’s policy work, community relationships and advocacy’” says Alira Tufui, Director of Sector Innovations. “Our training is informed by the sector, shaped by community knowledge and guided by the wisdom of Elders and people working across ACCOs. Through our connection to the NSW peak body, we are constantly listening to, and capturing, the needs emerging across the sector, ensuring our training reflects the real challenges organisations face and the skills the workforce needs to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities.”
Significance for the sector
The National Skills Agreement Closing the Gap commitments recognise that ACCO RTOs are uniquely placed to deliver vocational training that is both culturally safe and professionally rigorous. Participation in Stage 2 will strengthen the workforce supporting Aboriginal children and families. Through the AbSec LDC, this work will focus on building skills, strengthening culturally informed practice and developing capability across the sector so practitioners can better navigate systems, keep children connected to family, culture and community, and support the self-determination of Aboriginal families and communities.
About AbSec Learning and Development Centre (LDC)
The AbSec LDC is the registered training arm of AbSec NSW Child, Family and Community Peak Aboriginal Corporation. It delivers accredited and non-accredited training to build the capability of individuals and organisations working in the NSW child, family and community services sector, with a focus on Aboriginal-led, culturally grounded education. Visit our website: absecldc.org.au
About AbSec
AbSec is the peak Aboriginal organisation in NSW dedicated to empowering Aboriginal communities by advocating for the rights, safety and wellbeing of Aboriginal children, young people and families. We build strength and resilience by supporting community-led solutions, shaping policy, and driving reforms that ensure every Aboriginal child and young person grows up strong in culture and identity.
For media enquiries:
Kristjan Porm, Communications and Memberships Manager | [email protected] | 0402 158 726
