Training led by Mob, for Mob -since way back

Back in 1998, the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) made a bold move. Community wanted culturally safe training.

Mob were calling out for education that was grounded in lived experience. And so, VACCHO became a Registered Training Organisation – ready to deliver vocational education that made a real difference.

In 2024, the RTO took its new name: Yagilaith Djerring, the Centre of Excellence in Aboriginal Vocational Education and Training.
It means ‘learning from one another’ in Woi Wurrung language. And that’s exactly what we do.

Born from Community,
built for the future

Yagilaith Djerring delivers nationally accredited training to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people into work that strengthens Community.

Whether students are just starting out or stepping into leadership, our training builds in-demand, job-ready skills – so they can contribute meaningfully to health, wellbeing, business and beyond.

We offer nationally recognised qualifications in:

Aboriginal Health
Business and Leadership
Social and Emotional Wellbeing

All our training is grounded in Culture. Backed by Community. And delivered in a way that respects each learner’s journey.

National recognition,
local impact

With over 700 graduates and counting, Yagilaith Djerring continues to build a workforce that reflects and serves the needs of Community.

In 2023, we were proud to be named Victorian Community Training Provider of the Year at the Victorian Training Awards – a powerful recognition of the work, commitment, and outcomes we deliver.

But for us, the real impact is in every student who steps up. Every ACCO we support. Every Community member we walk with.

Our values

Optimism

We believe in our student’s potential and the power of Community-led change.

Compassion

We lead with care, understanding the lived experiences that shape every learner’s journey.

Humility

We honour Culture, listen deeply, and walk alongside our students at equals.

Resilience

We support students to overcome barriers and thrive in every aspect of life and learning.

Excellence

We commit to delivering the highest quality training with integrity, accountability, and pride.

Meet your support team

As a student of a Yagilaith Djerring accredited course, you’ll be supported by a deadly team of Aboriginal Student Success and Engagement Officers from enrolment to graduation.

Whether you need a hand completing some coursework or job-hunting, you’ll be empowered by Mob who have walked your path before – and who provide culturally safe, tailored assistance without much fuss.

Tahlia Sailor

Tahlia is a proud Erubam girl from the Torres Straits, born on Gimuy Country and partly raised on Wotjobaluk Country.

She has a huge passion in helping her Mob and watching them all succeed in life. Watching her fellow young Indigenous brothers and sisters working towards their future goals means the world. Because at the end of the day, we are the next generation.

Nikole Austin

Nikole is a proud Gunditjmara mum to three deadly sons.

For the past five years, she’s been part of work that strengthens and supports Community. As one of the first Mentors at Yagilaith Djerring, she walks proudly alongside Mob, helping them stay strong in their identity while building confidence through learning.

Her work is grounded in Culture, guided by Community, and driven by a commitment to see our people thrive – strong, proud and connected.

Jyedn Murray

Jye is a proud Wiradjuri Ngemba man, born and raised on Wiradjuri country in Cowra NSW with strong ancestral connections to the Byrock and Brewarrina region.

He is the Manger of Student Success and Workforce Development at VACCHO. Jye is passionate about working closely with Communities to support Aboriginal workforce development, leadership, and culturally safe systems that empower Mob and drive meaningful, long-term change through self-determination.

Wongana Blow

Wonnie is a proud Aboriginal woman who grew up on both Wurundjeri and Bunurong countries in Naarm, Melbourne. Wonnie is from Quandamooka Country of the Noonuccal tribe from North Stradbroke Island, as well as connections to Goreng Goreng through her father.

Wonnie’s passion is to help students thrive in their educational growth – supporting them in their study journey and improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ overall holistic health and wellbeing, creating self-determining Communities.

Isabella Mulcahy

Izzy is a proud Kamilaroi/Gomeroi woman, born and raised on Yuggera Country in Brisbane, and now raising her two boys on beautiful Woi Worrung Country.

Izzy believes that through empowering our community’s Aboriginal workforce, and by providing a culturally safe and supportive learning environment, we can each better ourselves, our Communities and our future together.

After all, we are Mob, we are strong, and our future should be in our own hands.

Interested in becoming a mentor?

Find out more

Facilities & locations

At Yagilaith Djerring’s Collingwood campus, you’ll find equipment, training spaces, and teaching staff purposefully chosen and designed to help you get the real-world skills employers are looking for.

With space for yarning circles and all the medical equipment you need to practice, you’ll learn to pair cultural strengths with practical know-how.

About the artwork

This artwork, created by Simone Thomson, a Naarm based multidisciplinary artist and a Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung and Yorta-Yorta Traditional Owner through her mother’s side, is titled ‘Yagilaith Djerring, Learning From One Another.’

The coolamon embodies cultural knowledge and healing, with gum leaves speaking to Country’s abundance. A stethoscope draped across it shows how cultural and modern knowledge strengthen each other. The ‘U’ and ‘n’ shapes represent people seated with their shields, learning together.

Community gathers at a central meeting place, surrounded by Country’s rivers and mountains and the pathways students travel. Handprints honour the effort, unity and shared journey of Yagilaith Djerring students growing their knowledge.