What is the Jobs Fund?
The Jobs Fund initiative supports and creates jobs and skills development through projects that build community and social infrastructure. The Jobs Fund is part of the Australian Government’s Jobs and Training Compact and was announced by the former Prime Minister on 5 April 2009. It was established to support families and communities most affected by the Global Financial Crisis.
DEEWR administers funding for Jobs Fund projects announced as a result of two funding rounds under the Local Jobs and Get Communities Working streams of the Jobs Fund. Funding totalling $171 million was announced for 225 projects across Australia. One-off grants of up to $2 million were made to support the delivery of innovative projects that maximise job and training opportunities in local communities and deliver positive environmental, heritage and social outcomes. The Jobs Fund consists of three streams:
- Local Jobs - for community infrastructure projects that focus on the promotion of environment-friendly technology and heritage. This stream includes heritage-related projects administered by the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. More information on these projects can be found on the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities’ website. This stream also includes National Bike Path projects administered by the Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government. More information on these projects can be found on the Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government’s website.
- Get Communities Working - for projects that build community capacity, improve community strength and amenity and provide opportunities for disadvantaged job seekers. This stream also focuses on Intermediate Labour Market Models including social enterprises.
- Infrastructure Employment Projects – funding was appropriated to the Department of Infrastructure and Transport for infrastructure projects that generate jobs in regions affected by the economic downturn, or in areas suffering from other external shocks. No further infrastructure projects will be funded. Further information on infrastructure projects can be found on the Department of Infrastructure and Transport’s website.
No further funding rounds will be available under the Jobs Fund.
The majority of Jobs Fund projects were completed on 30 June 2011. Since July 2009 the Jobs Fund has created almost 9,500 jobs, more than 2,400 traineeships and over 5,000 work experience positions, well in excess of the numbers originally expected.
A diverse range of projects were completed under the two funding rounds of the Australian Government’s Jobs Fund initiative, with a number of social enterprises continuing to operate successfully.
Success stories which include a description of the project, outcomes and photographs are available.
The Government extended the completion date of the Local Jobs and Get Communities Working streams from 30 June 2011 to 30 June 2012 to allow a small number of projects that were affected by government planning approval delays, natural disasters and extreme weather events to be completed.
Guidelines
View the latest Jobs Fund guidelines:
Information and feedback
For further program information, provision of feedback or complaints please contact the Jobs Fund team at: jobs.fund@deewr.gov.au.