The ACT Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisation (ACCO) Workforce Traineeship Grants Program 2026 supports eligible organisations to create new paid traineeship opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT.
The program is designed to strengthen workforce capability in the ACCO sector by supporting traineeships that combine paid employment, nationally recognised vocational education and training, and culturally safe workplace support.
Expressions of Interest close 5.00 pm Tuesday 1 September 2026.
For more information refer to the:
Information and drop-in sessions
Information session
The information session is for applicant and partner organisations. It will provide an overview of the program and the Expression of Interest process.
Date: Thursday 6 August 2026
To RSVP, please register your attendance online.
Drop-in sessions
One hour drop-in sessions are available for applicant and partner organisations, either online or in person at 220 London Circuit, Canberra City on:
- Monday 10 August 2026, 9 to 3pm
- Tuesday 11 August 2026, 9 to 3pm
To register e-mail skills.grants@act.gov.au including two preferred times.
How to apply
The program has a two-stage application process.
Stage 1: Expression of Interest (EOI)
Follow the below steps and complete your EOI using the online SmartyGrants application form.
- Refer to the ACT ACCO Workforce Traineeship grants program 2026 - Guidelines (DOCX 214KB) or (PDF 619KB)
- Read through the ACT ACCO Workforce Traineeship grants program 2026 - Applicant planning guide (DOCX 195KB) or (PDF 528KB)
- Complete Part A of the ACT ACCO Workplace Traineeship grants program 2026 - Project planning template (DOC 86KB) or (PDF 293KB)
- Upload the completed Project planning template to the online SmartyGrants application form.
- Submit the online form by 5.00pm, Tuesday 1 September 2026.
Stage 2: Full application by invitation
Shortlisted organisations will then be invited to submit a full application.
About the program
The program supports eligible organisations to employ or host Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainees in new traineeship opportunities.
A traineeship combines:
- paid employment
- a registered training contract
- nationally recognised vocational education and training delivered by a Registered Training Organisation
- workplace supervision and support.
Funding may support the practical, cultural and workplace arrangements needed to help trainees participate in and complete their training.
Projects may begin with planning and preparation in late 2026, with trainees expected to start from Semester 1, 2027.
This is a pilot grants program with total funding of $500,000. The pilot will test how targeted grant funding can support ACCOs to create new traineeship opportunities and strengthen workforce capability.
Who can apply
Applications are open to organisations operating in the ACT that are:
- Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-owned Registered Training Organisations.
Applicant organisations must meet all eligibility requirements in the ACT ACCO Workforce Traineeship grants program 2026 - Guidelines (DOCX 214KB) or (PDF 619KB).
Employment and training arrangements
Projects must support new traineeship opportunities and be based on a genuine workforce need.
Applicant organisations may:
- employ the trainee directly, or
- work with a Group Training Organisation that employs the trainee, with the applicant organisation acting as the host employer.
Refer to the list of ACT Group Training Organisations (DOCX 74KB) or (PDF 136KB) for contact details.
Training must be delivered by a Registered Training Organisation and lead to a nationally recognised qualification through a traineeship.
More information
For assistance and program inquiries contact the Skills Canberra, Grants and Projects Team by:
For technical assistance with the online Expression of Interest form, contact Business Services by:
The ACT ACCO Workforce Traineeship Grants Program gives effect to the first action of the ACT’s Closing the Gap Bilateral Implementation Plan. Closing the Gap is a joint initiative between the Australian Government and ACT Government.
