In June 2017, the SHAE Academy received $2.1 million in federal funding for a new building as well as helping running costs over the first two years of operation.

At the beginning of this year, the academy became operational with programs beginning and more staff being hired.

The ministers were able to see firsthand some of the programs their funding is going towards, and learn ways in which the government can improve in education areas.

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"To make any sustainable change you need education," SHAE Academy CEO Chris Binge said.

The academy runs programs for both children and adults all centred around sport, health, arts and education.

There are homework programs for students from different schools each afternoon, picking them up from school and dropping them home after they are finished.

There are music groups as well as a fully fitted recording studio with local bands visiting regularly to teach the children music.

There are also health and wellbeing programs as well as a men's action group and men's violence group, working with men about violence and violent behaviour.

There are also a number of sports programs and clinics, providing young people a pathway into a potential future in professional sport which hasn't previously been available in the region.

A new facility is currently being built, which will run all the sports programs. It's due to be completed either in October or November this year.

However, the main focus is still on education for the children.

"You'll never go down a sporting pathway unless you have an education," Mr Binge said.

"I'm a major believer that the most positive advocate for change is education."