Employment type: 3 year fixed term contract
Salary: $170K + $20K vehicle allowance
Classification: EOCBI
Position number: 51519
Division: VET
Location: Batchelor
Applications close: 17 November 2026

Lead meaningful change in vocational education and training as our Director Vocational Education and Training (VET)

Batchelor Institute is Australia’s only Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dual-sector education provider. For more than 50 years, we have worked alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to deliver education grounded in culture, community and self-determination.

Our purpose is to provide transformative education centred on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ knowledges, imagination and voice, with teaching, learning and research accountable to Country and community.

We’re seeking an inspiring Director of VET to lead the delivery of culturally responsive vocational education and training, champion Batchelor Institute’s Both-ways philosophy, and create opportunities for the next generation of Indigenous Australian learners.

Why join Batchelor Institute?
At Batchelor Institute, you’ll work in an environment where culture is strength, relationships matter and the work you do contributes to something bigger.

What we offer:

- A starting salary of $170K, 20K vehicle allowance + 13% super
- Six weeks annual recreation leave
- 13% employer superannuation
- Salary packaging opportunities
- Study leave and professional development opportunities
- A supportive and culturally responsive working environment

About the role
Your role will provide strategic and operational leadership across Batchelor Institute’s Vocational Education and Training (VET) Division. You’ll translate the Institute’s priorities into high-quality, culturally responsive and financially sustainable VET delivery, guided by the Both-ways educational philosophy and the Institute’s vision and Strategic Plan.

You’ll lead the Division’s performance across educational quality, regulatory compliance, workforce capability, financial sustainability, business development, partnerships and organisational change. You’ll also ensure cultural practice and governance are embedded in VET planning, delivery and decision-making.

A key part of the role will be building a high-performing, team-oriented and accountable team, strengthening leadership and organisational capability,



and advancing Batchelor Institute’s position as a leader in culturally responsive vocational education and training.

You’ll oversee programs across multiple industry areas, campuses and priority education projects. This requires the ability to work effectively with geographically diverse teams and travel between campuses as needed.

About you
We’re seeking an inspiring Director VET to provide strategic leadership, strengthen culturally responsive training, and build effective partnerships with industry, communities and key stakeholders.

You’ll bring

- A Diploma of Training and Assessment (TAE40122), together with a tertiary qualification in adult education, management or business; or at least four years’ demonstrated leadership experience in vocational education and training (VET).
- Demonstrated ability to provide educational leadership in a VET environment, translate organisational priorities into operational plans, and deliver measurable improvements in performance and outcomes.
- Understanding of and commitment to culturally responsive education and the Both-ways philosophy, with the ability to work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and cultural authorities to support culturally informed practice and decision-making.
- Demonstrated experience leading VET quality, regulatory compliance and continuous improvement, with in-depth knowledge of the VET Quality Framework, ASQA requirements, VET legislation, training packages, AVETMISS and data-reporting obligations.
- Demonstrated ability to establish and implement systems that support educational leadership, develop multidisciplinary and geographically dispersed teams, strengthen workforce and leadership capability, manage organisational change, and foster a collaborative, accountable and high-performing culture.
- Demonstrated experience in operational and financial management, including funding agreements, contractual obligations, budgets and performance monitoring.




- Ability to identify and assess funding opportunities that align with organisational strategy and educational priorities and support long-term sustainability.
- Highly developed analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills, including sound judgement when managing complex issues across diverse organisational, cultural and professional contexts.
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective partnerships with government, industry, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, education providers and other stakeholders to advance educational priorities, respond to community and workforce needs, and achieve strategic outcomes.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and support culturally diverse teams, with an understanding of the social, political and cultural contexts of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, communities and organisations.
- Highly developed interpersonal, written and oral communication skills, with the ability to adapt communication to the needs of diverse stakeholders.

Ready to lead our VET Division?
If you’re ready to take on a rewarding leadership role, we invite you to apply. At Batchelor Institute, you’ll help shape culturally responsive vocational education and training while being supported through professional development and a safe, inclusive working environment.

To apply, please submit:

- A completed Application Lodgement Form
- Your current resume
- A written pitch (maximum two pages) demonstrating their suitability for the role.

The pitch should outline how your leadership experience, capabilities and achievements position you for this role. Applicants should draw on specific examples that demonstrate their capacity to provide strategic and educational leadership, lead people, strengthen culturally responsive practice, and deliver operational and educational outcomes.

Applicants are not required to address each selection criterion individually in the “You’ll bring”; however, the pitch should provide sufficient evidence to enable assessment against the requirements of the position.

Applicants must hold a current Ochre Card and National Police Check, or have the ability to obtain these prior to commencement, and complete a gender-based violence (GBV) disclosure.

For further information about the role or application process, please contact the Recruitment Team at ***********@batchelor.edu.au

📌 Director Vocational Education and Training (VET) (Darwin)
🏢 Batchelor Institute
📍 Darwin