Secondary Reform Program

Secondary education in the Northern Territory (NT) is being reformed to support students to complete school and transition into post-school pathways and careers here in the Territory.

The NT Government 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 (NTCET) 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.

Reforming secondary education to meet the needs of every Territory student

Our reforms will build the aspirations and skills of young people so that their secondary schooling sets them up for future careers and meets the needs of the Territory.

To achieve this, reforms will be delivered across 4 phases.

Timing: Term 4, 2024 – Term 1, 2025

In phase 1, we will design a secondary education delivery framework to ensure students across the NT 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 NT
  • identifying industries and skills needs at a local level, connecting students to meaningful career pathways.

Consultation and engagement

We’ll work closely with schools and key education and training stakeholders in this phase to map opportunities in your region, ensuring the framework reflects diverse perspectives and builds on regional strengths.

Timing: Term 1, 2025 – Term 2, 2025

In phase 2, we will create plans tailored to each region, ensuring secondary education meets local needs. This includes:

  • developing regional implementation plans to:
    • provide secondary education across the Territory that meets students’ needs and community aspirations
    • design how comprehensive schools, years 7 to 12, in urban centres will operate
  • creating pathway agreements to outline the pathways and delivery models tailored to each school
  • use community feedback to shape the regional implementation plans and pathway agreements
  • identifying critical enablers such as tools and systems to support schools, students, and communities.

How you’re involved

We’ll work closely with schools, communities, and stakeholders to shape regional implementation plans and pathway agreements, ensuring they reflect your needs and aspirations.

Timing: Term 3, 2025 – Term 4, 2025

In phase 3, we will develop school level implementation plans that support their pathway agreements, this will incorporate urban school plans to shift away from the middle school model. This includes:

  • creating school level plans focused on workforce capability, resourcing, technology, and community partnerships
  • planning for the transition from the middle school model to a comprehensive years 7–12 model:
    • planning for infrastructure, workforce, transitions, enrolment policies such as catchment areas, and sequencing of implementation
  • establishing enablers identified in Phase 2, 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’re involved

Community voices will drive these plans. Your school will work with you to ensure the plans address local priorities and student needs.

From 2026

In phase 4, we will begin implementing school and regional plans 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’re involved

Students, families, and communities will have ongoing opportunities to share feedback to ensure a successful transition.

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