The Australian Government is committed to halving the employment gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians within a decade.
To help more Indigenous Australians into work, Job Services Australia will help ensure employment and training services meet the needs of Indigenous job seekers, Indigenous businesses and employers.
Job Services Australia will work together with the Community Development and Employment Projects (CDEP), the Indigenous Employment Program (IEP) and other training and service organisations focused on helping Indigenous Australians. Job Services Australia providers will work with local communities to develop jobs and training opportunities.
All Job Services Australia providers can deliver specific services to meet your needs if you are experiencing barriers to getting a job. You may also be given the choice of attending a specialised Job Services Australia provider, for example, an Indigenous specialist, who operate in many locations across Australia. Job Services Australia providers will also have a strategy for employing and retaining Indigenous Australians in their own organisations.
If you are an Indigenous job seeker, including if you live in a remote area, you will have more resources and opportunities for training under Job Services Australia.
Support for Indigenous job seekers
Your Job Services Australia provider can help you to:
- gain work experience by placing you with an employer
- learn new skills through on-the-job training, up-skilling and access specific training that employers want
- get an apprenticeship or traineeship or, if you’re still at school, a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship
- study at diploma level or above at registered training organisations, TAFE or university
- start your own business or help you build your existing business
- relocate to a place with more work opportunities and provide support for you and your family to make the move
- overcome barriers that prevent you from getting or keeping a job
- improve your reading, writing and maths.
Your local Job Services Australia provider will have access to the Employment Pathway Fund which may be used to purchase a broad range of assistance to help you get the right training and other support to help you find and keep a job.
Find a Job Services Australia provider near you
If you are an Indigenous job seeker living in a remote area, your Job Services Australia provider may refer you to your local CDEP provider, who will work closely with your Job Services Australia provider to help you get the skills you need to find a job.
Your Job Services Australia provider may also help you relocate temporarily to take part in education, training or work experience activities if these opportunities are not available locally.
For more information on CDEP call your local Indigenous Coordination Centre on 1800 079 098 or visit the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs website.
Other initiatives to help Indigenous job seekers
You can also get help to improve your skills, find employment or start a new business through the Indigenous Employment Program (IEP).
IEP services include:
- specialised training or help to find and keep a job
- assistance for businesses to employ Indigenous Australians
- assistance to help you start a business
- initiatives to assist your community with employment-related programs and services.
For more information call the Indigenous Employment Line on 1802 102.
Employers who want Indigenous staff
The Indigenous Employment Program (IEP) can help employers find staff who are ready for work and ready for training.
IEP can provide employers with tailored help to provide more job opportunities for Indigenous Australians. Employers can receive help directly through the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), or through one of DEEWR’s expert providers.
Through a new contracting arrangement, employers will find it easier to access the services offered under IEP. This new arrangement will mean less red tape for employers. Employers can access support through a panel member, a package of financial assistance tailored to the organisation’s needs or a pre-designed package.
Eligible employers can get financial assistance for employing Indigenous job seekers, through the Indigenous Wage Subsidy (formerly Wage Assistance).
Employers can also get assistance to employ an Indigenous cadet. Find more information about Indigenous Cadetship Support (formerly the National Indigenous Cadetship Program (NICP)).
You can find more information for employers and Indigenous employees by calling the Indigenous Employment Line on 1802 102.
How to become involved
If you are a job seeker interested in receiving help from Job Services Australia in most instances you should visit your local Centrelink office to register to receive assistance.
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