About Us
Overview
The Centre for Appropriate Technology Limited (CfAT Ltd.) was established in Alice Springs in 1980 to research, design, develop and teach appropriate technologies and deliver technical training to Indigenous people living in remote communities. We work towards sustainable and enterprising communities by delivering appropriate fit-for-purpose technology, including practical project design, technical innovation, infrastructure, and training services.
CfAT Ltd. is a proudly Aboriginal controlled business, with a majority Aboriginal membership, board & Chairperson. We have a core commitment to providing employment opportunities for Aboriginal people, who comprise 50% of our staff.
Headquartered in Alice Springs, NT, CfAT also has a regional office in Cairns, QLD. The organisation’s national focus has supported projects across the Northern Territory, Far North Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia. CfAT has strong partnerships with organisations which share similar goals; and works closely with Aboriginal communities and organisations, Aboriginal Land Councils, Federal, State, Territory and Local Government jurisdictions, tertiary and VET educational institutions, the private sector, NGOs and philanthropic institutions.
Our Mission
To be the leader in critical thinking and knowledge development on the use and practical appropriation of technology to position Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and individuals to thrive on their country.
Our Purpose
CfAT Ltd. supports Indigenous people in remote Australia in the choices they make in order to maintain their relationship with their country. This may include a desire to return and live on country, regularly visit country, develop country for economic benefit or protect country.
This is achieved through working closely with other organisations to address the many other challenges that Aboriginal people face in maintaining their relationship with country and the rest of the world.
reliable and maintainable power and water supply, sanitation, digital connectivity and participating in the digital economy, physical infrastructure, training including workforce development, improved remote service delivery and identifying and supporting opportunities for economic development and employment.
Our Core Operations
Technology innovation and application
Applied project design, management and professional services
Community engagement, planning and facilitation
Place-based accredited training, skills development and capacity building
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander enterprises and employment
Infrastructure design, engineering, construction and fabrication
Our Primary Objectives
Transitioning to a successful enterprise-based not-for-profit business
Further establishing CfAT as remote technology innovation leader
Maximising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment
Building training and skills development outcomes
Group Structure
The Centre for Appropriate Technology Limited (CfAT) is an Australian Securities and Investments Commission incorporated not-for-profit organisation limited by guarantee.
CfAT operates under a corporate group structure, which comprises of parent company CfAT, and subsidiaries Ekistica Pty Ltd and CfAT Satellite Enterprises Pty Ltd.
Both the parent company and its subsidiaries share similar missions and values around ‘people and engagement, innovation and excellence’.
Visit ekistica.com.au to find out more about Ekistica.
Visit cfat.org.au/cfat-se to find out more about CfAT Satellite Enterprises.