The Albanese Labor Government is at the halfway mark of delivering on its commitment to create 3,000 new jobs in remote communities through the Remote Jobs and Economic Development (RJED) program.
Over 1,450 new jobs have been funded through the first two grant rounds of RJED, providing the dignity of work with fair wages and conditions in remote communities across the country.
Under the second grant round, around 800 jobs are being created in around 160 projects across 150 employers.
The numbers of jobs are approximate and contingent on the signing of grant agreements:
- Arnhem Land & Groote Eylandt – 100 jobs
- Central Australia – 150 jobs
- Greater Western Australia – 130 jobs
- Kimberley – 100 jobs
- North Queensland – 150 jobs
- South Australia – 25 jobs
- South Queensland – 5 jobs
- Top End & Tiwi Islands – 130 jobs
- Western New South Wales – 10 jobs
Jobs will be filled in a variety of sectors including construction, agriculture, healthcare, retail and administration and are a mix of part-time, full-time and casual roles.
Successful RJED employers are now able to hire local people in jobs that communities need, with fair wages and conditions, including superannuation and annual leave.
The 800 new jobs build on the 650 jobs created in the first grant round. In addition, around 280 jobs established under the New Jobs Program Trial have transitioned into RJED.
The jobs deliver on the Albanese Government’s push for greater economic empowerment for First Nations people.
Employers who want to create jobs in remote communities will have further opportunities in future RJED grant rounds expected in 2025-26 and 2026-27.
For more information about RJED visit www.niaa.gov.au/remote-jobs
Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy:
“The Albanese Government is delivering on our commitment for greater economic empowerment for First Nations people, with 1,450 new jobs in remote parts of Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
“Our remote jobs program is changing lives for First Nations people living in remote communities across the country.
“The dignity of work, with decent wages and conditions, impacts not just individuals, but families and communities, and contributes to Closing the Gap in employment outcomes.”
Quotes attributable to the Special Envoy for Remote Communities and Member for Lingiari, Marion Scrymgour MP:
“In 2022 we committed to bringing back real jobs to remote communities, and these 1,450 remote jobs are a key milestone in delivering this commitment.
“The Albanese Government is committed to helping rebuild thriving remote communities – and jobs are a central part of this. They provide purpose, economic opportunity, security and they help build a sense of community. These are real jobs, with leave entitlements, superannuation and fair wages.
“I am eager to see the remaining jobs rolled out, and to continue working with remote communities on how to deliver tangible economic outcomes for people.”