NT Finocchiaro government launches Aboriginal Enrolled Nurse Training to build local workforce
The Finocchiaro CLP Government has launched an Aboriginal Enrolled Nurse Training program aimed at increasing the Northern Territory’s Aboriginal nursing and midwifery workforce, with seven participants in its first intake. Health Minister Steve Edgington said the initiative supports Aboriginal school leavers with funded tuition, part-time paid employment and mentoring to create career pathways into nursing and midwifery.
“We said 2026 will be a year of growth, certainty and security, and we are growing our Aboriginal nursing and midwifery workforce with the launch of the Aboriginal Enrolled Nurse Training program,” he said, calling it a significant investment in developing local talent and supporting the next generation of Aboriginal health professionals.
The inaugural cohort comes from Arnhem Land, Croker Island, Alice Springs, the Tiwi Islands, Kalkaringi and Darwin. Over 18 months, students will complete a Diploma of Nursing through a local education provider while undertaking healthcare work experience two days a week.
On completion, they will be eligible to register as enrolled nurses with the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Australia and to undertake a graduate program at an NT Health hospital. Participants are supervised by registered nurses and are learning skills including maintaining a safe environment, assisting patients with personal care and performing specific client observations.
NT Health is working with Indigenous Allied Health Australia to provide culturally secure mentoring and wraparound support intended to improve course completion and retention. Students have begun their work placements at Royal Darwin Hospital and are using a buddy system to check in on each other and share learning.
Devina Parry, 18, from the Tiwi Islands, said she hopes to gain experience and knowledge to become a registered nurse and give back to her community, and encouraged family members to consider healthcare. Edgington said the program is designed so participants can succeed as future enrolled nurses working in their own communities, adding that the government is investing in more jobs for Aboriginal Territorians, including in health.