Territory benefit policy and planning

Your Territory benefit plan will be tailored to the unique characteristics of your project. Regardless of whether you use the benefit plan template or develop your own, there are 3 key components that must be included in every Territory benefit plan. These are:

1. project information
2. Territory benefit plan commitments and strategies, and
3. communications and reporting strategy.

Territory benefit plan guide and templates for project proponents

The Territory benefit plan guide and templates for project proponents provides information about some of the key organisations available to help you develop your Territory benefit plan. Included in the guide are some examples of Territory benefit plan commitments for each of the recommended benefit plan categories.

The guide includes a Territory benefit plan template, monitoring template and a public reporting template. Use of these templates is optional.

The Territory benefit plan template outlines the essential elements required in every Territory benefit plan and provides a structure for you to consider when developing your plan.

The Territory benefit plan monitoring template is designed to guide you in providing updates of progress implementing your Territory benefit plan commitments.

The public reporting template is designed to streamline your public reporting commitments, including publicly reporting progress in implementing the commitments in your Territory benefit plan.

Get a copy of the Territory benefit plan guide and templates for project proponents.

Territory benefit policy guide and templates for project proponents PDF (584.0 KB)
Territory benefit policy guide and templates for project proponents DOCX (905.4 KB)

To discuss the content and approval of your Territory benefit plan, contact the NT Government project manager assigned to support your project.

The organisations listed below may be able to assist you in establishing your project’s workforce needs and mapping this against the local supply of labour.

Additionally, local training organisations and employment service providers may be able to support you in addressing skills shortages, to ensure a work-ready workforce is available when you need it.

Aboriginal land councils

Aboriginal land councils work with Aboriginal people to negotiate with governments and private companies over projects on Aboriginal land. They also support Aboriginal people to manage their land and sea, issuing permits to enter, fish, film and perform other activities on Aboriginal land.

You should contact the relevant land council to discuss your permit needs, or engage with your NT Government project manager for an introduction to the relevant land council representative.

Go to Aboriginal land and permits on the Northern Territory Government website.

Australian Government Access for Employers Job Access Program

The Job Access program provides free advice and support to help remove barriers to employing people with disability. The program coordinates and funds workplace adjustments, support and training and provides information on Australian Government financial assistance for employers and employees.

Go to I am an employer on the Australian Government Job Access website.

Chamber of Commerce NT

The Chamber of Commerce NT (CCNT) provides services and support to businesses in key areas including industrial relations, training, employment, education and training advice, and networking. CCNT supports a number of workforce and skills initiatives in line with the National Skills Commission skills priority list.

CCNT hosts an online business directory where members can list their business and also job vacancies. The directory is searchable by business name, category and region.

Go to the Chamber of Commerce NT website.

Group Training NT

An Australian owned and operated not-for-profit organisation providing employment and training solutions to employers and the community, Group Training NT (GTNT) manages the Industry Training Hub in Alice Springs, helping develop skills that meet the needs of local employers.

GTNT delivers the Workforce Australia Employment Services IntoJobs IntoWork program in the Northern Territory. The team works with you to identify your needs and commence the process of matching suitable candidates to join your team. The GTNT Employability Skills Training program, part of the IntoJobs initiative, offers an Indigenous engagement officer to support Indigenous participants and employers to ensure sustainable employment outcomes.

GTNT is the largest employer of apprentices and trainees in the NT and offers the Apprentice Employment Program where GTNT Group employs local apprentices/trainees and places them, through their labour hire matching service, with your organisation as the host business. The apprentice/trainee returns to GTNT when no longer required by the host business and GTNT finds them new opportunities to enable them to complete their apprenticeship.

Go to the GTNT Group website.

Industry Capability Network NT

The Industry Capability Network (ICN) aims to increase economic activity and employment by assisting industries to gain a greater share of domestic and international business opportunities by fostering an open and competitive marketplace for industry.

ICN is made up of member organisations with local procurement and supply chain expertise. ICN industry specialists work closely with project owners to create opportunities for small to medium businesses in the supply chain.

ICN NT manages a comprehensive database of Northern Territory and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business capability. ICN NT provides a range of services, including early supply chain mapping, industry briefings, data analysis, project reporting solutions, private vendor identification and public procurement hosting on its national procurement platform ICN Gateway.

Go to Our team of industry specialists on the Industry Capability Network website.

Industry Skills Advisory Council NT

Industry Skills Advisory Council NT (ISACNT) is an independent not-for-profit organisation providing advice and gathering intelligence on training package development, workforce development, skills shortages and workforce solutions in the NT.

The purpose of ISACNT is to increase industry capability and capacity across the NT. ISACNT has supported workforce development initiatives through research, strategic thinking, industry engagement and consultation.

ISACNT has been a conduit between industry, stakeholders and the national system for vocational education and training. ISACNT supports training product development through local engagement, providing quality representation for NT industries.

ISACNT engages with employers and peak industry associations to gather occupational intelligence on hard-to-fill positions. Recommendations are then provided to the NT Government to support the annual NT skilled occupation priority list.

Industry Skills Advisory Council workforce and skills officers can work with you to find solutions to your workforce needs.

Go to the Industry Skills Advisory Council NT website.

Institute of Skills and Training Australia

A registered training organisation delivering industry-current training that caters for various styles of learning. Registered by the Australian Skills Quality Authority, the Institute of Skills and Training Australia offers nationally recognised accredited training and non-accredited short courses.

Go to the Institute of Skills and Training Australia website.

Larrakia Development Corporation

The Larrakia Development Corporation is a leading commercial Aboriginal organisation delivering a range of services across public and private industries. Core activities include labour hire, heritage monitoring, ground maintenance including gas plant certified ground maintenance, general building maintenance and repairs, cleaning, asbestos removal, minor civil works and a range of other trade based services.

Go to the Larrakia Development Corporation website.

Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation

Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation is the recognised prescribed body corporate representing the Native Title holders of Alice Springs. Committed to bolstering and uplifting Aboriginal communities, the organisation focuses on land and resource management, cultural preservation and community development endeavours.

Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation provides Welcome to Country services, as well as comprehensive cross cultural training about the importance of understanding the Arrernte culture and way of life.

Go to the Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation website.

Local Government Association of the NT

The Local Government Association of the NT (LGANT) is the peak voice of local government in the NT, representing 16 of the 17 councils. Membership consists of 4 municipal, 3 shire and 9 regional councils, and 2 associate members.

The local government sector in the NT collectively employs around 3,000 people and is often the largest employer of Aboriginal people in remote and regional areas. Councils are therefore well placed to help you understand the skills, knowledge and experience offered by local Aboriginal Territorians. Contact LGANT to discuss your needs and be connected with the relevant local government regional or shire council.

Local government councils are well-placed to help you understand the aspirations and needs of the local community. As the sphere of government closest to the community, consulting with local government when considering the shared value component of your Territory benefit plan will enable you to tailor your contribution to the specific needs of the community you are operating in.

Go to the Local Government Association of the Northern Territory website.

Northern Territory Government

The Department of Trade, Business and Asian Relations facilitates workforce development initiatives to support business, industry and employers build their workforce and increase productivity.

Territory business advisors

Territory business advisors work with NT businesses and can assist you with introductions to local suppliers, business networks and local Aboriginal owned and operated suppliers of the goods and services you require at the standards you expect. They can help facilitate opportunities to establish joint ventures and other subcontracting arrangements.

Go to Territory business advisors on the Northern Territory Government website.

Workforce development officers

Workforce development officers provide assistance with training needs in regional and remote areas of the Northern Territory.

Go to Workforce development officers on the Northern Territory Government website.

Workforce NT

Workforce NT may be able to assist in the project development stage, prior to commencing development of your Territory benefit plan, by providing advice to support workforce development for your project.

This may include information on any government assistance available to help develop your workforce; assisting you to identify the workforce skills required to deliver your project; providing an overview of the NT labour market; and directing you to registered training organisations available to deliver identified skills and qualifications.

Go to Contact Workforce NT on the Northern Territory Government website.

NT Indigenous Business Network

The NT Indigenous Business Network (NTIBN) is an advocacy body dedicated to advancing the social and economic prosperity of Aboriginal people. As the peak body and lead certifying authority representing NT Indigenous businesses, NTIBN supports current and emerging Indigenous businesses through organisational development, industry-based growth, business support and opportunities for promotion and collaboration.

NTIBN plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between Indigenous businesses and the wider market, working closely with government entities, allies and industry stakeholders to support and advance Indigenous businesses. Through this network, businesses can have complete confidence in the authenticity and integrity of their collaborations with Indigenous businesses. This empowering network ensures that employers and collaborators engage with genuine Indigenous businesses that have undergone one of the most thorough verification processes in Australia.

NTIBN also manages the Indigenous Business and Employment Hub in Darwin, with an anchor hub in Alice Springs and regional hubs in Katherine and Tennant Creek.

No matter how big or small your project is, businesses can contact an NTIBN officer to discuss their Aboriginal employment or Aboriginal supply chain needs. They can also access a matching service, allowing users to search for Indigenous businesses by type, region or industry sector.

NTIBN stands ready to connect with anyone interested in leveraging the strength and impact of Indigenous business partnerships for their projects.

Go to the NTIBN website.

Supply Nation

Supply Nation maintains a large database of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses.

Go to the Supply Nation website.

Tangentyere Council Aboriginal Corporation

Tangentyere Council Aboriginal Corporation (TCAC) is a proud Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation providing well established human services to community members in Alice Springs, its town camps and throughout Central Australia.

TCAC has a strong commitment to the employment of Aboriginal staff and to continuing professional development. Contact TCAC to discuss your local Aboriginal employment and training needs and opportunities.

Go to the Tangentyere Council website.

The Array

Located in the heart of the Darwin CBD, the Array is a technology hub providing skill development services; co-working spaces and connecting esports enthusiasts to drive industry growth.

Go to the The Array website.

Projects requiring a Territory benefit plan will be added here once their status is confirmed.

The Territory benefit policy is reviewed every 3 years. The first review commenced in 2022, with the aims of:

• assessing awareness of the policy
• examining how it is implemented
• reviewing the process of developing a Territory benefit plan, and
• identifying opportunities for improving the policy and processes.

A number of key stakeholders were consulted throughout the review, with many offering their time on multiple occasions to discuss emerging issues and findings. The department extends sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed to the review.

Read the review findings.

Territory benefit policy review summary 2022-23 PDF (156.5 KB)
Territory benefit policy review summary 2022-23 DOCX (57.0 KB)