$18 million boarding schools boost for Central Australia

First Nations students from remote communities in Central Australia will have greater access to quality education, with $18 million from the Albanese Labor Government’s Central Australia Boarding Response Fund being made available to three Alice Springs schools.

Yirara College will be offered up to $10 million and St Philip’s College up to $1.7 million to upgrade existing facilities, while Yipirinya School will be offered up to $6.3 million for a new boarding facility, providing greater capacity to accommodate students in the region.

Announced in March 2024, the Central Australia Boarding Response Fund was established following a review of boarding schools in Central Australia by the Commonwealth and Northern Territory Governments last year. 

Community stakeholders including the Central Australian Aboriginal Leadership Group and the Central Australian Regional Controller were consulted and expressed the need for greater boarding capacity.

Boarding providers then participated in an open and competitive grants process to apply for funding. 

This investment complements the $40.4 million allocated to all schools in the Central Australia region for On-Country Learning under the landmark $250 million plan for A Better, Safer Future for Central Australia. 

This is also in addition to the deal struck between the Commonwealth and Northern Territory Governments to fully fund all Northern Territory public schools.

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

“For many First Nations students in Central Australia, boarding school is their only option to engage in education, so it’s important to ensure the right facilities are available to give them the best chance of success.

“This funding will provide more opportunities for First Nations young people in remote communities to access quality education, increasing participation, attendance and retention in Central Australian schools.”

“This funding demonstrates the Albanese Government’s commitment to improving life outcomes for First Nations young people in Central Australia.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education, Jason Clare:

“This investment in boarding facilities in Central Australia is about supporting school students in remote Northern Territory communities. 

“This funding will go towards improving existing facilities and building new facilities.

“This builds on the $40 million investment the Albanese Government has made for every school in Central Australian and the historic deal struck with the Northern Territory Government to double Commonwealth investment and fully fund all public schools in the NT.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Lingiari, Marion Scrymgour:

“I congratulate the Albanese Government for its $18 million investment in quality school boarding facilities in Central Australia that will make it easier for Aboriginal youth to be educated closer to home. 

“School boarding facilities are the gateway to a quality education for many Aboriginal students living in remote communities across my electorate of Lingiari.

“I welcome the Albanese Labor Government’s ongoing commitment to our children’s future by increasing their access to a quality school education. 

“Every child has a right to a quality education, regardless of where they live. Well-resourced school boarding facilities provide the benefits of a comprehensive, well-rounded educational experience, where students are supported to achieve academically, grow emotionally, foster lasting friendships, and enhance their teamwork, communication and interpersonal skills”.