Certificate IV in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Governance

Additional information for this workshop

In 2025 ORIC has engaged AbSec Learning and Development Centre, a registered training organisation (RTO), to deliver and assess the BSB41021 qualification for up to 20 supported places.

Eligibility

To be eligible for an ORIC-supported place in this course you must:

• be a current director of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation registered under the CATSI Act
• be an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person
• have never been disqualified from managing a corporation or company
• have completed one of our corporate governance workshops or an equivalent workshop from another provider
• not have previously received support from ORIC to study an equivalent or now superseded qualification.

Delivery format 2025

Delivery will be in 4 one-week residential blocks with opportunities to receive virtual support from a trainer and cultural mentor between residential blocks.

You will need to complete and lodge assessments between blocks.

Dates for residential blocks are:

• Block 1: 16–20 June (5 days)
• Block 2: 28 July – 1 August (5 days)
• Block 3: 1–5 Sep (5 days)
• Block 4: 13–17 October (5 days)

Travel for each block of training will usually be going to the course on Sunday, and returning home on Friday night or Saturday morning.

Course costs

Costs are covered by ORIC, but students are required to make an up front contribution that will be reimbursed when they complete the course.

Student contribution

Participants are required to pay a $1,500.00 student contribution towards the course fee when they enrol. This is to be paid directly to AbSec and a receipt provided to ORIC.

This will be reimbursed by AbSec when the participant successfully completes the course (lodges all assessments).

A participant experiencing financial hardship who is unable to personally pay the student contribution may seek financial support from their corporation. If the contribution is paid by their corporation or other party, the reimbursement will be made to whomever paid the fee.

See an example letter of support for your corporation to pay the student contribution to the course fee

ORIC contribution

ORIC will pay the remainder of the course fee and travel assistance for the residential blocks.

Total support from ORIC is approximately $15,000 per participant. The actual value of support varies depending on the travel needs of individuals.

ORIC will provide:

• economy class travel to and from the venue
• accommodation in close proximity to the training venue, if required
• breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner on training delivery days. 

If a participant does not communicate with ORIC about attendance or fails to catch up on missed units, ORIC may cease providing financial assistance in the form of travel, accommodation and meals to attend further blocks.

ORIC does not pay:

• sitting fees
• travel allowance
• child care
• personal or incidental expenses
• security bonds with the accommodation provider.

Information session

An information session for prospective students will be held on Thursday 3 April at:

• 1 pm AEDT (Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne)
• 12:30 pm ACDT (Adelaide)
• 12 pm AEST (Brisbane)
• 11:30 pm ACST (Darwin, Alice Springs)
• 10 am AWST (Perth, Broome) 

You will be able to ask questions about the course and find out more information.

Join the information session

The session will be recorded and made available here for those who can’t attend live.

Things to consider before applying

Studying is a big commitment of your time and attention, requiring you to:

• travel and spend time away from home
• do work and assessments at home between blocks of study.

Please consider what support you may need from others such as:

• taking paid or unpaid leave from your workplace
• coverage of family or caring responsibilities
• coverage of community volunteer, social or sporting responsibilities. 

How to apply

Applications are now open and close on 30 April. 

2025 course application form

After you apply

Your application will be assessed within 5 working days of receipt and we will tell you if your application is progressing to the next stage.

If we tell you that your application is progressing, you will need to provide:

• a letter of support from the board of your corporation
• a letter of support from your employer stating they understand the study requirement and the dates you will need to attend the residential blocks

You must send us these letters of support by 14 May. If you do not, we will not consider your application any further.

See an example letter of support from your corporation board

See an example letter of support from your employer

Offers

On 15 May, we will send offers to shortlisted applicants. Applicants will have until 29 May to accept an offer.

If you are sent an offer you will need to:

1. reply to the offer email indicating your acceptance
2. enrol with AbSec
3. pay the student contribution ($1,500.00) to AbSec, and provide a copy of your receipt to ORIC.

Your offer will not be considered accepted until you have done all these things. You need to complete them by 29 May.

Waitlisting

If you are advised that your application is progressing but do not receive an offer, you may be placed on a waitlist. If a shortlisted applicant is unable to accept their offer or withdraws before the course begins, you may be offered a place. 

After accepting an offer

After you accept your offer, you will need to:

• participate in an initial skills assessment of language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) carried out by AbSec. This will assist AbSec to determine if the course is appropriate and if learning and support strategies are required
• participate in an induction session.

ORIC staff will work with you to make travel arrangements for you to attend the residential blocks. 

Withdrawing your application

You can withdraw your application at any time by writing to us at training@oric.gov.au.