Charles Darwin University has marked a key milestone in the construction of its $25.8 million Centre for Better Health Futures in Darwin, celebrating the 'topping out' of the new health teaching and research facility.

Federal Minister for Northern Australia Madeleine King highlighted the need for world-class facilities in the top end.

"People in the Top End deserve access to world-class education and top-quality healthcare, and this Centre will deliver both," she said.

The development comes at a crucial time for the Larrakia people, the Traditional Custodians of the land where the Centre is being built, and for Indigenous communities across the Northern Territory.

Professor Dominic Upton, CDU's Pro Vice-Chancellor Faculty of Health, said the new facility is a game-changer.

"This new facility is a game changer for educating health and medical professionals in the Territory," he said.

The Centre aims to boost the Territory's healthcare workforce, particularly in remote and regional areas where Aboriginal health outcomes often fall below national standards.

Once complete, the 3,684 square-metre, three-storey building will provide state-of-the-art learning facilities, including a simulated emergency department, 12-bed hospital ward, and advanced clinical simulation environments, offering practical and hands-on training for health professionals.

The resources will contribute to meeting the pressing need for healthcare services and workers who understand the complexities of treating Indigenous patients, especially in rural communities like Nhulunbuy, Katherine, and Alice Springs.

The Centre's focus on interprofessional education, incorporating virtual reality and mobile technology, aims to prepare graduates for work across the Territory, supporting equitable access to healthcare and culturally safe services for Aboriginal communities.

Professor Upton emphasised that CDU students will be well prepared to make a meaningful contribution to the Territory's health workforce upon graduation, especially for Indigenous patients who often face unique health challenges.

SHAPE Australia's General Manager – Northern Territory, Nicholas Mills, said the topping out is a "significant achievement" for the project and the hundreds of local workers.

"Reaching the topping out milestone is a significant achievement for our construction team and a testament to the hard work and dedication of the more than 250 local Territorian workers across our 35 subcontractors," Mr Mills said.

"We are on track and making excellent progress towards the completion of this state-of-the-art facility, and this crucial phase allows us to proceed with interior work throughout the Wet Season."

The Centre for Better Health Futures is on track for completion by mid-2025.