Katherine Corrections Skills and Training Centre

As part of the Corrections Infrastructure Master Plan, the Northern Territory Government is creating a vocational training facility for prisoners in Katherine.

A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with Charles Darwin University (CDU) to establish the Katherine Corrections Skills and Training Centre at the CDU Rural Campus in Katherine.

Overview

A 99-bed open-security facility will be established at the existing CDU Katherine Rural Campus, with plans to expand capacity to 198 beds in the future.

The Katherine Corrections Skills and Training Centre will deliver accredited training programs in partnership with CDU, focusing on skills development, rural industries, and supervised work activities.

The partnership will deliver better outcomes for prisoners through education, meaningful employment and reintegration opportunities with workforce participation across the Big Rivers region and the Northern Territory.

Katherine Skills and Training Centre Factsheet. PDF (306.4 KB)

Benefits

The Katherine Corrections Skills and Training Centre will:

• Strengthen local infrastructure in the region
• Support local jobs and industry growth
• Develop local skills and provide rehabilitation pathways to improve reintegration and reduce reoffending
• Build on the success of similar work camps in Datjala (Nhulunbuy) and Barkly (Tennant Creek), where communities have benefited from the work of supervised prisoner contributions to public projects, environmental maintenance, and community services.

Security

The site layout is being planned to balance security and operational considerations. Strict selection criteria for prisoners will apply.

Timeline

• December 2025: Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Northern Territory Government and Charles Darwin University (CDU).
• Early 2026
  • Detailed design and scoping works
  • Development application
  • Construction tender released to market
  • Stakeholder and community engagement.
• 2026: Centre operational.

Engagement

The development application for the project is on public exhibition from 16 January until 13 February 2026.
View the application or to make a submission.

Contact

For more information on the construction works, contact communications.dli@nt.gov.au