Background

The National Centre for Language Training (NCLT) is an Australian Government initiative, funded through the Department of Education, Science and Technology (DEST). The Centre’s formation was announced in August 2004 by the Prime Minister, Mr John Howard, as part of a $113 million package of measures by the Federal Government to support Australia’s international engagement.

DEST provides national leadership and works in collaboration with the States and Territories, industry, other agencies and the community in support of the Australian Government's objectives. It develops and implements policies to ensure the continuing relevance of education, science and training to contemporary needs and the growing requirement for lifelong learning.

The Centre took management advice and assistance through a consortium of national partners, including 5 Universities; Curtin University of Technology; Griffith University; Monash University; The University of New South Wales; the University of South Australia and TAFE.

UNSW Global Pty Limited (formerly NewSouth Global Pty Limited) had the role of leading the Consortium in establishing and coordinating the National Centre for Language Training and has established the management and governance structures to support the Centre.

An independent Advisory Board provided strategic business development advice to the Centre and acted as an evaluator of services. Its representatives came from industry, business, government, non-government organisations and independent educational advisors.

The Centre is presently based at the University of New South Wales, under the management of UNSW Global Pty Limited, a not-for-profit, wholly owned enterprise of the University.