The Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT) and Sunrise Health Service Aboriginal Corporation have marked a milestone in the Big Rivers Region, with the first cohort of trainee Aboriginal health practitioners beginning training through Dijan Training.

Ten trainees from across the region have enrolled in the Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice.

The group includes four trainees from Wurli-Wurlinjang Health Service, four from Sunrise Health Service and two from Katherine West Health Board, with the 52-week program set to be delivered in Katherine and in community.

Each trainee will be supported by mentors and supervisors within their home service to ensure cultural, clinical and workplace support throughout the year.

Dijan Training, meaning "this one" in East Side Kriol, is a community-controlled registered training organisation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Sunrise Health.

It was established following a 2022 concept developed by Sunrise Health's directors and was formally registered in September 2025.

AMSANT chair, Rob McPhee, said the program supports the long-term sustainability of the Aboriginal community controlled health sector in the Northern Territory.

"Aboriginal health practitioners are at the heart of culturally safe, community-controlled care," Mr McPhee said.

"Growing our own workforce - locally, in region, and under community control - is one of the most powerful ways to improve health outcomes and close the gap."

Sunrise Health Chief Executive Officer, Rebecca Bond, described the launch as a proud moment for the region.

"This is something our directors have worked towards for years - building our own training pathway, in our own region, for our own people," Ms Bond said.

"These trainees are the future of primary health care in the Big Rivers.

"They will deliver culturally strong, clinically skilled care in their own communities."

The Certificate IV course is delivered by two senior Aboriginal health practitioner trainers, one male and one female.

It is supported by four additional senior Aboriginal health practitioner trainers delivering sessional topics, alongside experienced clinical educators.

The collaboration between Sunrise Health, Wurli-Wurlinjang and Katherine West reflects a regional approach to workforce development.

The program is now underway, with trainees beginning classroom-based learning in Katherine before continuing supervised practical training in their home communities.