Department of Employment, Education and Training

Northern Territory Indigenous Education Council (NTIEC)

Questions and answers

What is the purpose of the new Council?

The Northern Territory Indigenous Education Council is a peak representative body, which will provide expert advice and recommendations to both the NT Government and Australian Government Ministers on Indigenous education in the Northern Territory.

A key role of the Council is to consult directly with Indigenous people across the Territory on a regular basis and reflect Indigenous people’s views and aspirations on education services and outcomes.

The Council’s Terms of Reference outlines its core focus as a representative body.

Who can become a council member?

Indigenous people with a strong interest and the expertise and experience in Indigenous education can become a member. The Minister is seeking representatives from across all regions of the Territory, and representing the following:

• Major Indigenous organisations (e.g. health, housing,)
• Indigenous representation from the Top End, Katherine, Tiwi Islands, Central Australia, Barkly Arnhem and other regions
• Representatives with specialist expertise in Indigenous education within the Northern Territory, including where possible, education professionals in early childhood, primary, middle and secondary, vocational education and training, tertiary and English as a Second Language teaching; and
• Indigenous senior secondary student representatives as well as trainees or apprentices and Tertiary students.

How many people will form the Council?

The Council will comprise of up to 12 members, selected and appointed by the NT Minister for Education following an expressions of interest process.

How do I become a member on the Council?

It is simple. You can nominate by completing an Expression of Interest application. For further information please contact us on 8901 1387.

What information do I have to provide?

The expression of interest application requires your personal contact details and also asks you to address questions related to your expertise and experience in Indigenous education. Two forms have been provided one for general council membership and the other is for students interested in being on the Council.

Each expression of interest requires you to nominate two community representatives who will support your application. The student form requires one school and one community representative to support the nomination.

What if I’m a trainee or secondary student, can I still be on the council?

Yes. As long as you are an Indigenous student currently studying in senior years, or are in a traineeship or apprenticeship, or enrolled at a tertiary institution and have the time to commit to being a council member you are more than welcome to apply. Ideally you should hold a strong interest in improving education for Indigenous students at a local community and territory level.

If you are interested in being on the Council you are welcome to fill out the student representative form.

What do I have to do as a member?

As a Council member you will be expected to:

• Attend all meetings of the Council and participate in local community/regional meetings
• Take reasonable steps to ensure that they are informed about the business of the Council
• Suggest issues for the Council to discuss
• Consult with the Indigenous community, so that they can represent community views on relevant issues
• Help to inform Indigenous communities of the Council’s work and major outcomes of its meetings
• Represent the Council at functions and on other bodies
• Actively undertake and drive the work of the Council outside of the meeting process

Will I get paid to be a Council member?

Council members will be paid sitting fees for attendance at meetings and other special assignments, including travel allowance, in accordance with the Assembly Members and Statutory Officers (Remuneration and other Entitlements) Act 2006.

How long are members appointed for?

Initially, members will be appointed until 31 December 2008, in line with the funding schedule included in the Indigenous Education Agreement 2005-2008.

How will the new Council operate?

The Council will function in accordance to the Council’s Terms of Reference.

Where will the Council be located?

The Council will be supported by a Secretariat, which will be located and administratively supported by the Department of Employment, Education and Training in Darwin.

How will the Council be funded?

The Australian Government is funding the operations and administration of the Council through its Indigenous Education Agreement 2005-2008. The Northern Territory Government will provide in-kind support for the Council’s Secretariat.

How often does the Council meet?

The Council will hold four general meetings per year. The Council will also hold community/regional meetings.

What about ex-officio observers?

There will be four ex-officio observers at each meeting being representatives from

• Northern Territory Department of Employment, Education and Training
• Australian Government Department of Education, Science and Training
• Association of Independent Schools of Northern Territory
• Catholic Education

The observers will only speak at the meeting with approval of the Chair and cannot vote on matters before the Council.