The reshuffle comes with the government under pressure over a crisis in child protection, highlighted by the rape of a two-year-old Aboriginal girl in Tennant Creek in February, which sparked headlines around the nation.

Her elevation increases the number of ministers to nine, meaning at least one minister will lose at least one portfolio.

Ms Uibo, 33, represents the Arnhem electorate. Her mother is a Nunggubuyu woman and her father has a European background.

She could become education minister as she comes from a teaching background - including in remote Aboriginal communities - and both her parents were teachers and principals.

"It is really important in the space of education to have our communities involved to every single extent and every level of education," she told reporters.

"Having community on board to be able to make decisions for their kids, for their families is absolutely paramount in making sure education is successful here in the Northern Territory."

Six of Chief Minister Michael Gunner's nine ministers are women, while Ken Vowles is the only other Aboriginal member of cabinet.

It was revealed this week that 15 children had been removed from their families in the Tennant Creek region in a crackdown by authorities on children at risk since the February assault.

There were also 18,442 child protection notifications in nine months - 10 per cent were substantiated - involving the abuse and neglect of children, with the majority of victims Aboriginal.

Territory Families Minister Dale Wakefield faced criticism during budget estimates hearings this week when she said no one had been sacked or disciplined over the rape, despite the girl coming from a family well known for multiple abuse incidents.

She said this week she was happy in the job and was driving a positive agenda but Mr Gunner would not say on Friday whether she would keep the portfolio.

"Dale Wakefield has done an outstanding job as Territory families minister but my role as chief will always be to look after children in the Territory," he told reporters.

He said all government ministers were affected by the traumatic event in Tennant Creek and the Royal Commission ordered by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull last year had provided a road map to do a better job with the NT's children.

"It cannot be a government-only solution, we cannot be in people's homes at 2am, we are reliant on the non-government sector, on families and strong community leadership," Mr Gunner said.

Australian Associated Press