The Association of Independent Schools of the Northern Territory (AISNT) was formed in 1989 to represent and promote the diverse interests of independent schools in the Northern Territory. There are 20 member schools across the Northern Territory with a total enrolment of approximately 5000 students. AISNT is incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Act.
Within existing legislative requirements, independent schools are autonomous in their operations, determining their own curriculum and co-curricular programs, discipline policies, employment of staff and management of resources. This is provided they meet the registration requirements under the Northern Territory Education Act.
AISNT is not a system authority, but a service organisation, providing information and advice to schools on many issues and promoting the sector to governments, the education community and the general public.
AISNT is a member of the Independent School Councils of Australia (ISCA), which is representative of all State and Territory Associations of Independent Schools. It is an organisation based on federal principles that provides the AISNT with an equal role with other states and territories in independent sector decision-making at the national level.
