Secondary Reform Program
The Department of Education and Training, together with schools, is on track to deliver important changes from 2026 to support the transition from middle schools to comprehensive schools in urban areas.
Find out more about what has been happening at the Move away from Middle schools.
Secondary education in the Northern Territory is being reformed to support students to complete school and transition into post-school pathways and careers here in the Territory.
The Department of Education and Training is committed to delivering all recommendations from the secondary review, and delivering on its vision to provide:
- an excellent and equitable secondary system that supports all students to achieve
- a guaranteed standard of local secondary school provision, and a pathway to Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training completion for all students, regardless of geographic location
- a model of delivery that is differentiated and informed by student and community need and industry pathways
- an engaging learning design that guarantees core literacy, numeracy and work readiness skills and drives improvements in student attendance and wellbeing.
Program delivery
The Secondary Reform Program is being delivered across 3 phases:
- Phase 1: Design pathways to NTCET completion across the NT (Explore).
- Phase 2: Regional pathways planning and system preparation (Prepare).
- Phase 3: Commence transition to new delivery framework for secondary provision (Deliver and sustain).
Progression of reform will vary depending on location (i.e. urban and remote), region, type of school, school readiness and community context.
Phase 1: Designing pathways to NTCET completion across the Northern Territory
Timing: 2024-2027
In phase 1, we are designing a secondary education delivery framework to ensure students across the Northern Territory have clear and flexible pathways to NTCET completion.
This includes:
- developing pathways that include academic, vocational, and cultural options, connected to local industries and community aspirations
- exploring innovative delivery models like face-to-face learning, regional hubs, distance education, and specialised schools to meet the needs of all students, regardless of their location
- mapping current successes and challenges in delivering secondary education in the Northern Territory
- identifying industries and skills needs at a local level, connecting students to meaningful career pathways.
Consultation and engagement
We are working with schools and key education and training stakeholders in this phase to map opportunities in the regions, ensuring the framework reflects diverse perspectives and builds on regional strengths.
Phase 2: School and regional pathways planning and system preparation
Timing: 2025 – 2030
In phase 2, we will create plans tailored to each region and school, ensuring secondary education meets local needs.
This includes:
- designing how comprehensive schools, years 7 to 12, in urban centres will operate and supporting the transition away from the middle school model with a focus on infrastructure, workforce, transitions, enrolment policies such as catchment areas, and sequencing of implementation
- developing regional implementation plans to:
- provide secondary education across the Territory that meets students’ needs and community aspirations
- creating pathway agreements to outline the pathways and delivery models tailored to each school, and school-level plans to implement these agreements
- using community feedback to shape the regional implementation plans and school pathway agreements
- identifying and establishing enablers such as learner profiles, flexible curriculum options and systems that enable students to access learning regardless of their geographical location; ensuring that every student is supported and on a pathway to NTCET completion.
How you are involved
We will work closely with schools, communities, and stakeholders to shape regional implementation plans and pathway agreements, ensuring they reflect your needs and aspirations.
Phase 3: Commence transition to new delivery model for secondary provision
Timing: From 2026
In phase 3, implementation of school and regional plans will begin to ensure students experience a smooth transition to the new model of secondary education in the NT.
This includes:
- implementing pathway agreements and school-level plans
- phasing out middle schools with a smooth, sequenced transition to the comprehensive school model
- providing high-level support to schools undergoing significant change
- continuously seeking feedback to refine the new system.
How you are involved
Students, families, and communities will have ongoing opportunities to share feedback to ensure a successful transition.
Related information
- Review of secondary education in the Northern Territory
Read the final report and recommendations to the Review of Secondary Education in the Northern Territory. - Move away from Middle schools
The final design for secondary schools in Darwin, Palmerston, and Alice Springs aims to create a more connected, inclusive, and future-focused education system that supports students from year 7 through to year 12. - Palmerston Secondary Special Education School
The Northern Territory (NT) Government is building a new secondary special education school in Palmerston to support students with additional needs in Years 7–12.