In a milestone for the department, 27 Indigenous learners have commenced the nationally accredited Certificate IV in Tropical Biosecurity course. This course is an initiative of the department’s Indigenous Ranger Biosecurity Program and has paved the way to delivering localised training in remote northern Australia.
Over the next 3 years, 50 rangers will be given the opportunity to advance their career through developing practical biosecurity expertise and strengthening their leadership skills. This training will enable rangers to broaden their fee-for-service activities, generating further income for their ranger groups and supporting an increase in biosecurity surveillance in the north. With this qualification, rangers will be equipped to enhance the quality of the data they deliver to the department.
As part of the program, workshops were held in Cairns, Queensland and Darwin, Northern Territory. The workshops are designed to be delivered in a culturally safe and supportive environment and encourage active participation. Feedback from the students was overwhelmingly positive, with all participants praising the clarity and relevance of the content. In a true Indigenous-led approach to training, students are given the opportunity to select electives that are particularly relevant to their roles and their individual situations with biosecurity emergency response elective being a popular choice.
The Certificate IV in Tropical Biosecurity is more than a qualification. It is an investment by the Australian government in Indigenous leadership and biosecurity resilience. By equipping rangers with advanced skills, the program helps strengthen Australia’s frontline defence against biosecurity threats while creating pathways for professional growth in remote communities.
For more information, email NAQSComms@aff.gov.au
