Across the Northern Territory, Saltbush Social Enterprises is redefining what it means to be a multi-service provider. 

With a strong reputation for delivering integrated, culturally informed programs across workforce development, wellbeing, training and youth services, Saltbush is now emerging as a trusted delivery partner for businesses seeking strategic workforce solutions and meaningful social impact.

Saltbush is a proudly Aboriginal-led organisation, governed by a majority Aboriginal board and shaped by people with deep cultural knowledge, local expertise and strong operational credentials.

With Rayleen Brown, a respected Central Australian leader as chairperson and under the leadership of chief executive Nicole Shackcloth, Saltbush continues to build credibility not only as a service provider, but as a capable strategic partner for business and industry.

“Saltbush is about unlocking potential — in people, in communities and in partnerships,” says Nicole.

“When business comes on board, we bring our cultural insight, workforce expertise and on-the-ground experience to help deliver real outcomes that align with their business objectives”

A service model that drives outcomes 

Saltbush’s programs are rooted in the belief that every individual deserves the opportunity to succeed. Many of the people Saltbush supports have experienced entrenched disadvantage, including generational poverty, limited education, family violence, homelessness or incarceration.

By delivering place based, respectful and culturally safe support services, Saltbush helps individuals reconnect with their identity, strengthen their families, and move forward with purpose.

Saltbush’s impact is underpinned by a proven service model that integrates six interconnected domains: employment, training, wellbeing, youth services, cultural connection and workforce development.

From remote communities to urban centres, Saltbush delivers locally informed services that are flexible, culturally safe, and focused on long-term impact. For corporate and industry partners, this means working with a delivery organisation that understands the Territory and can deliver place based solutions at scale.

Whether supporting Aboriginal recruitment and retention, strengthening workforce capability, or co-designing community engagement initiatives, Saltbush offers a collaborative and strategic approach to achieving both business and social outcomes.

Accredited training with practical outcomes 

In 2024, Saltbush became a registered training organisation (RTO #46180), formalising its capability to deliver nationally recognised qualifications. Programs include Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention, Certificate lll and Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care, and an Aboriginal Workforce Mentoring course — designed to build the skills and confidence of Aboriginal Territorians while responding to business needs.

Tailored workforce solutions

Saltbush Employment Services offers end-to-end workforce solutions that support businesses to recruit, retain and develop Aboriginal talent.

Saltbush’s Employment Services are also a key delivery partner for the Australian Government’s Indigenous Skills and Employment Program (ISEP) — a First Nations-specific innovative approach to connect local jobseekers with employment opportunities, career advancement, and training activities.

Saltbush delivers ISEP in Darwin through its culturally informed Employment Services division, helping Aboriginal jobseekers transition from welfare dependence to sustainable employment. Services include intensive mentoring, training, counselling, and job placement, with a strong emphasis on cultural safety and personalised support.

Foundation 2 Future: an investment in long-term change

Saltbush’s newest initiative, Foundation 2 Future (F2F), is already demonstrating strong early results and powerful potential to reshape the employment landscape for Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory.

Launched in August 2024 with support from the National Indigenous Australians Agency for an Alice Springs program, F2F is more than a training initiative — it’s a transformational pathway that supports Aboriginal jobseekers who have experienced systemic disadvantage. The F2F program combines wellbeing support, cultural connection, employability training and tailored job placements to help participants not only enter the workforce but thrive in it.

What makes F2F different is its holistic, wraparound model. Participants are supported by dedicated mentors, on-country training experiences, access to professional counselling, and strong industry partnerships. Saltbush understands that employment success depends on more than skills development — it requires confidence, resilience, and long-term, culturally grounded support.

In just six months, more than 120 participants have completed employability training, with more than 50 jobseekers moving into meaningful employment.

Importantly, Saltbush is also investing in the next generation of local leaders, training and upskilling Aboriginal mentors who are proud to contribute to the change they want to see on their own country.

As the program prepares to expand in 2025, Saltbush is inviting new partners to co-invest in this work.

“Foundation to Future isn’t just a social program,” says Nicole. “It’s a workforce pipeline, a wellbeing strategy, a cultural intervention — all in one. And it offers business a way to participate meaningfully in systemic change.”

Why Saltbush matters

The organisation’s results speak for themselves: accredited training delivered, lives changed, staff placed, partnerships formed. And with its expanding RTO footprint, employer engagement capacity, and commitment to Aboriginal leadership, Saltbush is well-positioned to play a role in shaping the Territory’s social and economic future.

“Our strength is in our people — our staff, our participants, and our partners,” Nicole says. “Together, we’re building a stronger Territory — one opportunity at a time.”

To explore how your organisation can partner with Saltbush to achieve strategic outcomes, visit saltbushnt.org.au or contact the team.