Jobs and Skills Councils (JSCs) have been established to provide industry with a stronger voice to ensure Australia’s vocational education and training (VET) sector delivers better outcomes for learners and employers.

They bring together employers, unions and governments in a tripartite arrangement to find solutions to skills and workforce challenges.

The following JSCs are proud to support the Developing Northern Australia Conference:

• Build Skills Australia
• Future Skills Organisation
• HumanAbility
• Manufacturing Industry Skills Alliance
• Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance
• Powering Skills Organisation
• Public Skills Australia
• Skills Insight

JSCs are funded by the Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.

The Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA) is a key initiative of the Australian Government’s Our North, Our Future: White Paper on Developing Northern Australia and is investing $75 million over ten years (2017 to 2027) to deliver industry-led research and development collaborations which de-risk the development landscape and enable the sustainable economic growth of Northern Australia. CRCNA funding is developing new technologies, products and services which address industry issues in Northern Australia within initial focus areas of: Agriculture (incl. aquaculture, horticulture and forestry); Health service delivery; Traditional Owner-led business development; and Water security.

Delivering public services is at the heart of all government agencies.

For the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development, that means supporting landholders, businesses and communities to capitalise on our abundant natural resources, minerals and ingenuity to deliver long-term, sustainable economic development.

We do this by helping the community make the best use of our renewable and on-renewable land, mineral and energy resources, as well as providing support for manufacturers to grow their businesses and explore new markets, and engaging with regional and rural communities to understand their needs and advocate for their interests and improve access to government services.

Visit www.qld.gov.au/regionaldevelopment to find out more.

The Office of Northern Australia (ONA) oversees the Australian Government's policy agenda to deliver sustainable, resilient economic and social development for northern Australia. The ONA works collaboratively with Australian Government agencies and northern Australian jurisdictions (Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory) as well as industry and investment partners to deliver inclusive, progressive policy in the north. The branch provides support for the Northern Australia Ministerial Forum, which is progressing a shared vision for liveable, safe, sustainable and healthy communities in the north, and the Northern Australia Indigenous Reference Group, which provides advice on maximising benefits and implementation outcomes for Indigenous Australians.

The Northern Territory (NT) Government is developing Northern Australia by growing the Territory economy whilst maintaining the Territory’s iconic landscapes and lifestyle.
The Office of Water Security within the Department of Lands, Planning and Environment coordinates strategic water policy and transformational initiatives that will enable water security for all Territorians.

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries works to grow the sector and maintain our reputation as a supplier of safe and quality agricultural produce and sustainable fisheries, through scientific research and biosecurity.

Read more about how we are developing the NT:

watersecurity.nt.gov.au
daf.nt.gov.au

The Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) is the Commonwealth Government's $7 billion financing agency to support infrastructure development that generates public benefit for northern Australia.

NAIF's mandate focuses on projects that deliver public benefit, Indigenous outcomes and contribute to the sustainable growth of the region.

NAIF has committed $4.4 billion in loans across 32 projects across the north. Projects range from large-scale resource and energy developments to social infrastructure, including universities, to airport upgrades, agriculture and aquaculture developments.

In total, NAIF supported projects are forecast to deliver $38.2 billion in public benefit and Indigenous Outcomes for the region.

The Northern Australia University Alliance (NAUA) is a collaborative initiative that brings together three partner universities: CQUniversity, Charles Darwin University, and James Cook University, with a shared vision for the sustainable development of Northern Australia. Our alliance is built upon the mutual aspirations to contribute to the social, environmental, and economic growth of this vibrant region. The north is a significant place for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People; in the north it is about building the capacity of its communities to determine their futures.

As proponents of genuine progress in the north, NAUA adopts a place-based focus, understanding that regional universities are pivotal in fostering embedded human development and research for the northern agenda. Through our alliance, NAUA strives to develop and retain the crucial skills, education, and research capabilities necessary for the advancement of Northern Australia’s industries and communities. Our collaborative relationship seeks to explore and progress strategic issues and opportunities that hold immense potential for the region. We are dedicated to identifying areas where collective action generates greater benefits than working in isolation.

The Northern RDA Alliance is the collective voice for Regional Development Australia (RDA) Committees across Northern Australia, stretching from Western Australia’s Gascoyne to Central Queensland and the Top End. Formed over a decade ago, the Alliance champions sustainable economic growth, investment, and community development aligned with Australian Government priorities. Leveraging deep local knowledge and regional networks, the Alliance informs policy, drives infrastructure and industry development, and promotes ESG-aligned innovation. As trusted advisors to government, the Alliance connects sectors and stakeholders to unlock Northern Australia’s full potential through place-based solutions that support resilient, prosperous, and inclusive regional communities.

The Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA) is a key initiative of the Australian Government’s Our North, Our Future: White Paper on Developing Northern Australia and is investing $75 million over ten years (2017 to 2027) to deliver industry-led research and development collaborations which de-risk the development landscape and enable the sustainable economic growth of Northern Australia. CRCNA funding is developing new technologies, products and services which address industry issues in Northern Australia within initial focus areas of: Agriculture (incl. aquaculture, horticulture and forestry); Health service delivery; Traditional Owner-led business development; and Water security.

Mackay Regional Council’s footprint is more than 7600km2 – five times the size of Brisbane City Council, double Townsville and larger than Cairns and the Sunshine Coast combined.

With a population of more than 125,000, it has a gross regional product of $11.4 billion across a diverse economic base, ranging from agriculture and tourism to manufacturing and mining services.

At Jet Zero we are excited to be bringing the regions to the runway of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) industry.

We are investing in the development and operation of large-scale SAF projects in regional centres to meet aviation’s decarbonisation targets, create new and exciting jobs and improve sovereign fuel security.

We aim to be quick to market with a production target of 102 million litres per annum (MLpa) of SAF and 11 MLpa of Renewable Diesel (RD) on our first project by 2028.

We distinguish ourselves with our commercial mindset, knowledge & expertise and our partnerships.