In its first year of operating in Australia, the Santos Foundation has begun laying down foundations for change in the Northern Territory, with early investments focused on culturally safe health care, youth employment and skills development for Aboriginal Territorians.

Expanding into the Territory in 2024 after more than a decade of work across Papua New Guinea, the Foundation says it has brought with it a partnership-first approach, working alongside established Aboriginal organisations to deliver outcomes shaped by community priorities rather than imposed solutions.

Through the Santos Foundation Youth Opportunities program delivered in partnership with Danila Dilba Health Services, six Aboriginal Health Practitioners have been supported to complete their Certificate IV Aboriginal Health Practitioner accreditation.

These practitioners are now being offered employment with Danila Dilba, strengthening the Aboriginal health workforce and increasing access to culturally safe, trusted care delivered by local people who understand community, culture and Country.

The Foundation is also supporting the expansion of Danila Dilba traineeships, creating longer-term pathways for Aboriginal people into health careers and helping to build a workforce capable of meeting the Territory's growing health needs, particularly in urban and regional settings.

Youth employment has been another early focus. In partnership with the GTNT Group, the Santos Foundation has supported six Aboriginal students into school-based apprenticeships across carpentry, engineering, business and hospitality.

The apprenticeships are designed to deliver job-ready qualifications while responding directly to the Territory's skills shortages. For young people, they offer something equally important: a clear pathway from school into meaningful, paid work in industries that keep communities functioning and local economies moving.

Santos Foundation chair and Santos managing director and chief executive Kevin Gallagher said the move into Australia builds on the Foundation's long history of investing in community-led initiatives.

"The work of the Santos Foundation in supporting communities across PNG over the last 14 years has been truly life changing," Mr Gallagher said, noting more than US$215 million has been invested in health, youth opportunities, community development and family and sexual violence prevention initiatives.

"I am delighted we are now extending the work of the Santos Foundation to help close the gap for Aboriginal Territorians here at home."

Santos Foundation chief executive Jodie Hatherly said collaboration with local partners has been central to achieving early results in the Territory.

"We're proud to work with partners who share our goal to build stronger, more resilient Territory communities and help close the gap for Aboriginal Territorians," she said.

Looking ahead, the Foundation has committed to deepening its footprint across both urban and remote communities. New initiatives approved by the Board will focus on disease prevention, employment and workforce development, alongside a new Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence prevention program set to commence next year.

That program will include workforce training and community-led responses, recognising that lasting change requires local leadership, cultural authority and sustained investment.

As its footprint in the Northern Territory grows, the Foundation's early work points to a long-term commitment grounded in partnership, local leadership and the belief that strong communities are built when investment follows culture, capability and Country.