Dear subscriber

Thank you for your interest in the development of a new jobs program in remote Australia.

Remote Jobs and Economic Development program

Since we last updated you, the Prime Minister and Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Linda Burney announced the Government’s $707 million commitment to a new Remote Jobs and Economic Development program (RJED).

Starting in the second half of 2024, the RJED program will be developed in partnership with First Nations people and initially fund 3,000 jobs over three years.

Eligible community employers will be funded to create new jobs employing local people at least at the minimum wage, or applicable entry level award wage plus conditions. Superannuation and leave entitlements will also be provided where applicable.

A Community Jobs and Business Fund will also be an important element of the new program and responds to what communities have overwhelmingly asked for. Employers will be able to apply for funding of capital and equipment to help provide the resources employees need to do their jobs.

The RJED program is based on what we heard through consultation in 2023 where we visited over 100 remote communities and heard from more than 2,250 people.

Have your say!

We have now moved into the next phase of consulting – testing the proposed design of the program. We are speaking with communities about how the new program should work and what types of jobs they might need. We are visiting 60 regions and aiming to hear from 100 remote communities before 30 June 2024. You can see the exact locations and communities we plan to visit at niaa.gov.au/rjed-consultations.

As part of consultations we want to hear from everyone with an interest in remote employment. A discussion paper on the design and implementation of the program has been published on the NIAA website that people can review and provide feedback through an online survey.

Consultation resources

There are several resources available on the website including:

• a timeline factsheet on the transition to the new program
• a comparison factsheet on how the RJED program compares to previous employment programs
• a list of the types of jobs that communities might want and need
• a map that illustrates how the program might work
• individual journey maps that explain the program from different perspectives

You can also read Minister Burney’s latest media release on consultations.

First Nations Reference Group

The Government is committed to developing the RJED program in partnership with First Nations people. As part of this, a First Nations Reference Group for the RJED program was established in March 2024. The Group brings together economic development experts from across remote Australia and representatives from a range of organisations to help develop and design the RJED program. You can catch up on the First Nations Reference Group communiqués or read the terms of reference here.

First Nations Reference Group members at their second meeting

Learning from current job trials

There are three job trials underway in remote Australia to help inform and design the new program. The trials are testing what works and what doesn’t so we can create the best possible program. Our very first participant in the New Jobs Program Trial, Peter (pictured below), started in a role with the Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation near Ceduna in South Australia. Peter will be learning new skills and using them to work in his community to assist with tourism initiatives.

We have a new email address. If you have any questions, please contact: remote.jobs@niaa.gov.au