Indigenous

Australians in remote communities will be better placed under the Remote Jobs and Communities Program to find work and get the skills they need to become work ready. The program will start on 1 July 2013 and will help more people to get into jobs and participate in their communities.

Employers who want to employ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can get financial help from the Australian Government. This help is available through the Indigenous Wage Subsidy (IWS) program.

Information is available on current, future and closed procurement activities (for employment services) run by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.

The Australian Government is committed to reducing disadvantage in education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Schooling agenda through a number of programs and initiatives aims to improve reading, writing and numeracy achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, as well as Year 12 attainment rates by 2020.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students can apply for a scholarship from the Australian Government to attend high performing secondary schools or universities to achieve their academic and leadership development aspirations.

This help is available through the Indigenous Youth Leadership Program.

The National Partnership on Youth Attainment and Transitions supports getting more young people to complete their Year 12 or equivalent qualification and halving the gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in receiving these qualifications. 

The Indigenous Australian Government Development Program (IAGDP) is an entry level employment program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are interested in working in the Australian Public Service (APS).

Employers who want to offer work placements and ongoing employment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tertiary students can get financial help from the Australian Government.

This help is available through the Indigenous Cadetship Support program.

The Indigenous Opportunities Policy (IOP) aims to maximise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment opportunities and the engagement of Indigenous businesses through Australian Government procurement processes.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in remote communities may be able to work as a trainee in a school and complete an Indigenous Remote Service Delivery Traineeship. Applicants for a traineeship from outer regional areas may also be accepted for this program at the discretion of the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.

The Indigenous Youth Mobility Program (IYMP) helps young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people move to a new location in order to gain the skills they need to get a job in their community or elsewhere. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and apprentices may be able to get financial help from the Australian Government. This help is available from Centrelink through the ABSTUDY program.

Learn Earn Legend! is an Australian Government initiative, which supports young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to stay at school and get a job and be a legend for themselves, their family and community.

Learn Earn Legend! activities assist with promoting the importance of education, training and employment to young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The Improving School Enrolment and Attendance through Welfare Reform Measure (SEAM) is an Australian Government initiative to encourage and support parents and carers to make sure their children are enrolled in and attending school regularly.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people may be able to get financial help to attend boarding school through an Australian Indigenous Education Foundation Scholarship.

Twelve regional and remote schools have been selected to receive financial help from the Australian Government so they can support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people to complete school and train for careers in land, sea and natural resource management.

This help is available through the Indigenous Ranger Cadetship pilot program.

Parents and carers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and young people (up to 19 years of age) can seek greater involvement in their child’s schooling through the Parental and Community Engagement (PaCE) program.

The Australian Government helps Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to complete a teaching degree through the Governor-General’s Indigenous Student Teacher Scholarships.

Support is available for employers, businesses and other organisations for activities or projects to help increase employment outcomes and economic participation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This support is available through the Indigenous Employment Program (IEP).

The Sporting Chance Program uses sport and recreation to encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary and secondary school students to continue their education.

Budget Based Funded Services are funded through the Child Care Services Support Program. They support early education and child care services in communities where these services would not otherwise be able to operate or where culturally appropriate services are required.

Australian Government-approved child care services, regardless of geographic location, are able to access high quality professional development and support.

This help is available through the Inclusion and Professional Support program.

As part of the Council of Australian Governments’ agreed targets to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the Australian Government has a number of programs to bring better health and education services together to give Indigenous children a good start in life.

Employers who offer paid work experience to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander job seeker can get financial help from the Australian Government through the CDEP Work Experience Subsidy program.

The Australian Government can help eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses seek access to commercial finance.

Commercial loans are available through the Indigenous Capital Assistance Scheme (ICAS)partner Westpac. The scheme supports improved employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.