Desert Knowledge Australia

Community Workforce Plans for Central Australia and the Barkly are now available online.

Desert Knowledge Australia was engaged to develop the Community Workforce Plans for Central Australia and the Barkly by the Northern Territory Government (Central Australia) and Charles Darwin University (Barkly).

The plans bring together workforce data, regional analysis and stakeholder input to identify opportunities to improve workforce participation, strengthen skills and training pathways, and respond to current and future industry demand. They provide an evidence base for coordinated action across government, industry, education providers and communities.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to meet with the DKA team and contribute their local knowledge and practical insights during the development of the plans.

Whether you're an employer, training provider, community organisation, policymaker or regional development practitioner, these plans provide valuable insights into the workforce challenges and opportunities shaping the future of Central Australia and the Barkly.

We encourage you to explore the findings and consider how they can inform your work and investment decisions.

📖 Read the plans and workforce analysis: 🔗
https://nt.gov.au/employ/for-employers-in-nt/skills-existing-and-needed/community-workforce-plans

Congratulations to UNSW and all project partners on securing Australian Renewable Energy Agency funding through the Ultra Low-Cost Solar PV R&D Program. ARENA has announced $105.6 million for 20 solar innovation projects, supporting the next generation of solar technologies and solutions for Australia's renewable energy future.

https://arena.gov.au/news/arena-invests-105-6-million-in-next-wave-of-solar-innovation/

Desert Knowledge Australia (DKA) is proud to be a project partner in two successful UNSW-led projects:

☀️ UV Resilience and Efficiency Boost for Silicon
This project will develop new technologies to improve solar module efficiency and durability in Australia's high-UV environments, helping solar systems perform better and last longer.
https://arena.gov.au/projects/uv-resilience-and-efficiency-boost-for-silicon/

☀️ Supercharging Solar Module Durability for Australian Conditions
This project will improve testing, validation and forecasting methods to better understand solar module performance and longevity in Australia's harsh conditions.
https://arena.gov.au/projects/supercharging-solar-module-durability-for-australian-conditions/

Through the Desert Knowledge Australia Solar Centre, DKA looks forward to working alongside UNSW, industry partners and research organisations to generate real-world performance data and support innovation that delivers more reliable and cost-effective solar energy for Australia.

Congratulations to everyone involved. We are excited to contribute to this important work.

🚀 Join Our Team!

Desert Knowledge Australia is recruiting a Program Establishment Officer for the Safe on Country Fund Program.

Help deliver an $8.36 million community-led initiative that supports stronger families, safer communities, and improved wellbeing across Central Australia.

📍 Find out more and apply: https://dka.com.au/program-establishment-officer/

Applications close on 18th September 2026.
Note: applications are reviewed as soon as received and will close as soon as a suitable applicant is found.

Program Establishment Officer | Desert Knowledge Australia Join Desert Knowledge Australia as the Program Establishment Officer of the Safe on Country Fund Program, and be part of the delivery of the $8.36 million community-led grants program that supports stronger families, safer communities and improved wellbeing across Central Australia.

Important opportunity to engage with and influence national water policy.

APPLY NOW!

We have member vacancies on the Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Water Interests.

is Australia’s primary independent advisor to governments on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ inland water rights and interests.

Positions are open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples with expertise across:

• cultural and western water rights and interests
• water science, management or policy
• leadership and governance
• advocacy and working with government
• strategic communications
• policy development and planning.

If you are dedicated to shaping national inland water reform to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ rights and interests we want to hear from you!

Applications close 11:59pm AEST Sunday 20 September 2026.

☀️ Central Australia is preparing for a hotter future☀️

Last week, the inaugural Central Australian Heat Resilience Summit brought together researchers, health professionals, government agencies, community leaders, service providers and community organisations to tackle one of the region's most significant challenges: extreme heat.

Central Australia has always been hot in summer, but the character of that heat is changing. Long-term climate records show a clear warming trend across the Northern Territory and Alice Springs, with warming accelerating since 2010.

While the National Climate Risk Assessment and National Adaptation Plan provides a national framework for action, impact in this area needs to be driven by local communities and through regional coordination, as it is not happening at the pace required at the Federal, State and Territory levels.

Participants also heard that the impacts of extreme heat fall hardest on people with the least capacity to adapt, particularly those experiencing homelessness, living in overcrowded and inappropriate housing, living with chronic illness, disability and energy insecurity.

While the challenges are significant, the Summit identified practical solutions that can be implemented now, including:
• Improving community preparedness and heat awareness.
• Creating cooler, safer homes, workplaces and public spaces.
• Strengthening support for vulnerable people and communities.
• Building more resilient energy, health and emergency response systems.
• Working together across organisations, governments and communities to deliver coordinated action.

The strongest message from the day was clear: we know many of the solutions. The priority now is turning knowledge into action before the next summer arrives.

The Summit has called for the establishment of a Central Australian Heat Resilience Working Group, development of a regional action plan, mapping of cooling refuges, stronger heat emergency management arrangements and investment in community-led resilience projects.

Central Australia has the knowledge, experience and leadership to become a national leader in heat resilience. We have an opportunity to turn evidence into action before the next summer arrives.

Read the ABC story here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-13/alice-springs-homelessness-heat-resilience-summit-el-nino-summer/107027868

📢 We're Hiring!

Desert Knowledge Australia is seeking passionate and experienced people to join the team delivering the Safe on Country Fund Program across Central Australia. This Australian Government initiative supports community-led projects that strengthen families, improve safety and wellbeing, and help address family and domestic violence. Learn more about the Safe on Country Fund:
https://ministers.dss.gov.au/media-releases/19156

We're currently recruiting for:
🔹 Program Manager
🔹 Grants & Contracts Manager
🔹 Administration & Finance Officer

These roles offer a unique opportunity to contribute to a major initiative in Aboriginal community-led solutions and make a lasting impact across Central Australia.

👉 Visit https://dka.com.au/about/work-with-us/ to view further details including detailed position descriptions, selection criteria and application information.

📅 Applications close on 31 August 2026. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the position may close earlier if a suitable candidate is appointed.

DKA is proud to share that we will be brokering the Safe on Country Fund on behalf of the Commonwealth Department of Social Services.

The $10M Safe on Country Fund will be established by DKA with a community panel who will make decisions and recommendations on funding for Aboriginal community controlled organisations to support community safety and reduce violence in Central Australia.

Stay tuned for more updates on positions available and Panel recruitment.

$10m fund to back Aboriginal-led family safety programs in Central Australia Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) across Central Australia are set to share in a new $10 million federal fund aimed at improving family and community safety through locally led ini...

Thanks Centre for Appropriate Technology and Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education RTO 0383 for organising a lovely (albeit chilly) NAIDOC event out here at the Desert Knowledge Precinct last week