The National Green Jobs Corps program was announced as part of the Green Jobs and Training Places package, to build a stronger and greener economy. The Australian Government committed $79.6 million for National Green Jobs Corps to deliver 10 000 places nationally over two years for young people aged 17 to 24.
National Green Jobs Corps commenced on 1 January 2010 to provide young Australians with skills tailored towards emerging green skills and climate-change related industries to ensure they were ready for employment in those areas. The program closed to new participants on 31 December 2011 and is currently in a six month transition period which expires on 30 June 2012, at which time the program will conclude.
Who was eligible?
National Green Jobs Corps was open to Australia citizens or permanent residents:
- aged 17 to 20, receiving a participation payment (Youth Allowance (other) and not working 15 hours or more per week,
- aged 21 to 24 with Activity Test/participation requirement, receiving Newstart Allowance and not working 15 hours or more per week,
- aged 17 to 24 and receiving Parenting Payment,
- aged 17 to 24, in receipt of Disability Support Pension, volunteering for NGJC with an assessed work capacity of 15 hours a week or more; and
- aged 17 to 20 without Activity Test/participation requirements and not employed for more than 15 hours a week or in full time-education.
What was available?
Over the life of the program 790 projects were established across Australia including water testing, bush regeneration, planting, surveying, track repairs and construction.
For information purposes only, the Australian Job Search website www.jobsearch.gov.au contains a list of projects that were still being undertaken at the end of December 2011. Please note, National Green Jobs Corps providers can no longer accept new participants in the program.
Providers
National Green Jobs Corps was delivered by nine providers across Australia.
- New South Wales/ACT
Auswide Caloola Enterprises
Conservation Volunteers Australia
Job Futures Ltd
MAX Employment
- Northern Territory
Heta Incorporated
- Queensland
Conservation Volunteers Australia
Job Futures Ltd
MAX Employment
- South Australia
Heta Incorporated
Greening Australia (SA)
- Tasmania
Conservation Volunteers Australia
MAX Employment
- Victoria
CVGT Employment and Training Specialists
Job Futures Ltd
MAX Employment
Mission Australia
- Western Australia
Job Futures Ltd
NOW Employment Services/Peedac Pty Ltd