Supporting the growth of allied health in the NT
A new career, a new home and a whole lot of adventure. For Darwin speech pathologist Nicole, moving to the Northern Territory has been an…
The Central Australian Aboriginal Congress (Congress) Graduate Nurse Program is a 2-year program designed to help newly graduated nurses build the skills, knowledge and confidence to work in primary health care, with a focus on Aboriginal health.
Based in Alice Springs, the program combines practical clinical experience with structured education, mentoring and ongoing professional support. Nurses gain experience in community-based clinics and Alice Springs Hospital, learning to provide culturally safe, holistic care to Aboriginal people and families.
Since 2021, NT PHN has supported the Congress Graduate Nurse Program and, building on its success, commissioned the Big Rivers Graduate Nurse Program in 2025. Delivered by Sunrise Health Service in partnership with Wurli-Wurlinjang Health Service and Katherine West Health Board, the Big Rivers program expands opportunities for graduate nurses to develop the skills and experience required for remote and primary health care practice across the Northern Territory.
Together, these programs provide supported pathways into primary health care, strengthen the remote area nursing workforce, and contribute to more sustainable healthcare delivery for Aboriginal communities across the NT.
