This is our heart work.
The First Nations Training and Teacher Education Hub (the Hub) was established as a strategic initiative of Charles Darwin University to grow and strengthen the First Nations education workforce across the Northern Territory — to result in better outcomes for our First Nations school students.
Our work honours the educators, Elders, and communities who have long carried knowledge, language, and culture through generations. Teaching, for us, is not just a profession — it is a way of continuing culture, caring for Country, and shaping futures.
We work in partnership with communities, schools, governments, and First Nations organisations to design pathways that reflect who we are and where we come from. Through these partnerships, we aim to create systems that are culturally responsive, community-led, and grounded in First Nations ways of knowing, being, and doing.
The Hub represents more than a program. It is a commitment to listening, walking together, and creating real impact. Our commitment is to action and change, ensuring that the next generation of teachers lead with culture, courage, and connection. By centring First Nations leadership in education, we are transforming classrooms, strengthening systems, and inspiring lasting change.
About the Hub
The First Nations Training and Teacher Education Hub (the Hub) at Charles Darwin University is a new, strategic initiative dedicated to growing the number and success of First Nations educators across the Northern Territory. Through strong partnerships with First Nations communities, schools, and education organisations, the Hub is building a regional footprint to deliver culturally responsive education pathways and support programs in remote, regional, and on-country settings.
Acting as a leader, connector, and collaborator, the Hub focuses on:
• Strengthening the First Nations educational workforce in schools.
• Increasing diversity and opportunity within the education sector.
• Developing and supporting First Nations educational leadership.
• Supporting capacity development across the educator pipeline — from aspiring assistant teachers through to fully qualified teachers and school leaders.
The Hub addresses barriers to Higher Education by creating culturally relevant, community-embedded, and supportive learning environments that reflect the aspirations and strengths of First Nations communities.
With its base at CDU Waterfront campus, the Hub is expanding its presence across the Territory regions — embedding services and on-country delivery models to ensure First Nations educators can access and succeed in education pathways, grow their professional capabilities, and lead the future of education in their communities.
Our vision
To grow, support and empower the next generation of First Nations teachers and leaders in education through partnerships with community and First Nations people, building a culturally responsive, co-designed, and sustainable education system that elevates voices, strengthens pathways, and drives transformative leadership and systemic change across Australia.
Through its communications and brand, the Hub aims to:
• Inspire - First Nations education students and educators to see themselves as teachers and leaders.
• Uplift and Showcase – First Nation educators who are already leading change in schools and communities.
• Influence policy and system leaders to position First Nations leadership in education, embed cultural responsiveness, shared decision making at every level of education.
• Amplify stories from communities that show real change led by First Nations Elders and their community.
• Protect and Strengthen the Hub’s brand identity so it honours First Nations culture, country, and community leadership.
Meet the team
The First Nations Training and Teacher Education Hub (the Hub) at Charles Darwin University is a new, strategic initiative dedicated to growing the number and success of First Nations educators across the Northern Territory.
Meet the teamStrategic pillars
Pillar 1: Building the First Nations educator pipeline
We strengthen pathways from Assistant Teachers to Initial Teacher Education, into classrooms, leadership, and academia by addressing barriers such as unpaid practicums, relocation challenges, literacy and numeracy support, and recognition of cultural and professional experience through on-Country, flexible, and hybrid models of delivery.
Pillar 2: Privileging First Nations voices
We elevate the lived experiences of educators through storytelling, podcasts, media, and vignettes that showcase their impact, celebrating First Nations educators as leaders, role models, and changemakers shaping the future of education.
Pillar 3: Embedding cultural responsiveness
First Nations people are supported through culturally responsive study pathways that strengthen access, success, and leadership in education. Non–First Nations educators can engage in microcredentials and professional learning co-designed with First Nations organisations, fostering truth-telling, cultural responsiveness, and systemic change.
Pillar 4: Partnerships and shared decision-making
We are committed to strong partnerships with governments, universities, First Nations organisations, and communities, guided by a First Nations Advisory Board with regional representation. Through shared data and collaboration, we work with organisations to develop regional Aboriginal educator workforce plans that strengthen local leadership and sustainable education pathways.
Pillar 5: Sustainable resourcing
We are committed to securing long-term, systemic funding across the educator pipeline, moving beyond short-term project cycles to multi-year commitments that ensure continuity and impact. Philanthropic and industry partnerships provide wraparound support to sustain and strengthen this work.
Pillar 6: National scaling and reform
The Hub serves as a national model of innovation, sharing best practices for replication across states and territories. Through Indigenous-led reform, it contributes to addressing teacher shortages and provides a scalable plan for strengthening education across Australia
Projects and research
We are committed to securing long-term, systemic funding across the educator pipeline, moving beyond short-term project cycles to multi-year commitments that ensure continuity and impact.
Projects and researchNews
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‘I feel lucky to be part of it’: CDU appoints new art gallery curator
Charles Darwin University (CDU) is pleased to appoint Clare Armitage as the new Manager and Curator for its 3600-strong art collection.
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Where rubber meets the road: Old tyres are key to building tougher roads
Almost half of the Northern Territory’s worn-out tyres end up in landfills – with the rest exported interstate for recycling – but a study led by Charles Darwin University (CDU) is repurposing the discarded rubber to build stronger, sustainable roads that meet the NT’s unique needs.
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Rural vocational training facility to support rehabilitation and education
Charles Darwin University is supporting the rehabilitation and education of Northern Territory prisoners through the establishment of a vocational training facility in Katherine.
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