The Community Services department is responsible for the delivery of a range of Northern Territory and federally funded programs and services across the region. These services are critical to the life cycle and function of our communities.



These services range from the delivery of remote youth activities on country to individual care services, to improve quality of life for Barkly community residents.

• Aged Care
• Night Patrol
• Safe House (Elliott and Ali Curung)
• Youth Services – including Tennant Creek and remote communities.
  

Ensuring Community Safety



Barkly Regional Council runs night patrol services in the communities of Ali Curung, Alpurrurulam, Ampilatwatja, Arlparra, Elliott, Tara and Wutunugurra, under contractual arrangements with the Australian Government's National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA).

Night Patrols are a vital community program focused on the safety of the community, in particular the protection of children, vulnerable and at risk people, by using cultural mediation skills, engaging with youth, defusing potentially violent incidents and reducing adverse contact for local people with the criminal justice system.

The core functions of the night patrol are to provide basic services such as:

• safe transportation
• diversion from contact with the criminal justice system
• intervention to prevent disorder in communities.

Night Patrol Officers are supported in their work with a Certificate 3 in Community Night Patrol training program with Charles Darwin University.  The training is there to assist each night patrol team across the Barkly region in building staff members confidence and self esteem to deal with any issues or turmoil in a community, and doing so safely. Night patrol teams are also supplied with vehicles, radios, and uniforms, and receive appropriate training in four-wheel driving, occupational health and safety, numeracy and literacy, and team leadership. 

Night Patrol Officers also play a pivotal role in maintaining cohesion at community sports carnivals in the Barkly Regional Council area. Patrols from neighbouring communities support each other’s events, together strengthening community safety for all concerned. 

Barkly Regional Council (BRC) provides essential Aged Care support services across five remote communities — Ali Curung, Alpurrurulam, Elliott, Ampilatwatja, and Arlparra—as well as several outstations/homelands in the Barkly region. Our goal is to support older clients to live independently and safely in their own homes and communities. BRC is committed to providing quality care, maintaining a client centred approach and respecting cultural safety, dignity and privacy.

Through our Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) and National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program (NATSIFAC), we offer culturally appropriate care, tailored to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders.

Our Aged Care services can include - meals, personal care, social support (individual and group), domestic assistance (laundry/general cleaning), transport, and centre-based respite.

BRC’s Aged Care receive funding through CHSP, NATSIFAC, and the Indigenous Employment Initiative (IEI) to support staff wages and training. To access our services, new clients must undergo appropriate assessment which can be arranged by our Aged Care Coordinator or Team Leaders, in each community.


We are committed to working closely with clients, carers, and local organisations to promote well-being, independence, and quality of life for our elders in the Barkly region.

Barkly Regional Council’s Youth Services deliver dynamic and inclusive programs across six communities—Ampilatwatja, Arlparra, Ali Curung, Arlpurrurulam, Elliott, and Wutunugurra—along with Tennant Creek through the Tennant Creek Youth Centre (TCYC). These programs are designed to engage young people aged 8 to 24 through a variety of recreational, educational, and cultural activities that promote leadership, skill development, and physical and mental well-being.

The TCYC serves as a vibrant hub for Tennant Creek’s youth, offering access to sports facilities such as basketball courts, football grounds, and the local swimming pool. Programs include structured sports, ninja warrior course, music sessions, art workshops, cultural events, and school holiday programs, which encourage participation, selfexpression, and community engagement. Events like the annual NAIDOC celebrations have drawn hundreds of attendees, showcasing the Centre’s role in strengthening community pride and connection.

Across all locations, our services provide after-school and school holiday activities tailored to the needs of each community. Popular offerings include sports such as basketball, soccer, and AFL, along with creative programs like arts and crafts, music workshops, and cooking sessions. Youth-focused events such as movie nights, discos, and cultural celebrations create opportunities for social connection and personal growth. 

Youth Services programs also promote leadership and empowerment through initiatives such as cultural bush trips, yarning circles, and digital media workshops. These activities help young people develop essential life skills, enhance self-confidence, and deepen their connection to culture and community. 

With a strong focus on collaboration, we work closely with local leaders, Indigenous organisations, and service providers to deliver engaging, culturally safe programs that support youth participation and positive community outcomes. Barkly Regional Council is committed to empowering young people across all six communities and Tennant Creek, ensuring they have access to vibrant, enriching opportunities to thrive.