Tour Guide Training Support 2025/26

Tourism NT is providing funding to assist with building a capable tour guide workforce in the Northern Territory (NT).

Overview

Stream 1
Up to $5,000 excluding GST is available for NT-based tour operators (applicants) who conduct tours in the Northern Territory to train new or upskill existing tour guides (entrants) where the applicant can demonstrate the need to do so. The support is designed to streamline training for entrants and offers flexibility.

The program will reimburse the applicant for pre-approved training upon completion of any of the following training components:

1.    HLTAID011: Provide First Aid
2.    HLTAID005: Provide First Aid in Remote Situations*
3.    Heavy vehicle training and licence (Light Rigid, Medium Rigid or Heavy Rigid)*
4.    MAR20321: Certificate II in Maritime Operations (Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal)* and MARC043 Transmit and receive information by maritime radio*
5.    MARSS00008: Shipboard Safety Skill Set*
6.    TLIC0023: Operate a four-wheel drive vehicle (including defensive driving and 4WD training recovery)
7.    Becoming a Tour Guide (Savannah Guides)
8.    EcoGuide Certification (Savannah Guides)*
9.    China Guide Ready (ATEC)
10.    Mandarin language classes (Darwin Language School)
11.    Other: provide a strong business case as to why an alternative training component that is not listed above is required for your business.*

*Eligible courses to upskill existing tour guides.

At a minimum, entrants who are employed by an applicant that conducts tours in either Uluru-Kata Tjuta or Kakadu National Parks are required to complete either VTP230 Kakadu Knowledge for Tour Guides or VTP229 Uluru and Kata Tjuta Knowledge for Tour Guides accreditations to be eligible for any other support component. These courses are currently available at no cost for NT residents.
Entrants must complete all approved training components by 30 April 2026 for applicants to receive reimbursement.

Stream 2
Limited funding is available for Chinese and Japanese language speaking guides with commitments to deliver guiding services within Kakadu National Park and/or Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park.

1.    VTP230 Kakadu Knowledge for Tour Guides
2.    VTP229 Uluru and Kata Tjuta Knowledge for Tour Guides

Indicative dates

Applications open:             01 October 2025

Applications close:             31 March 2026

Notification of outcome:    within 7 days of application

Completion date:                30 April 2026

Last date for acquittal:       15 May 2026

This is an open non-competitive grant and applications will be assessed as received. Dates are indicative only and the program may close earlier if funding is fully subscribed.

More information

Please email [email protected] or call 08 8951 8158.

For Terms and Conditions or to apply visit grantsnt.nt.gov.au.