National Priority Fund

The National Priority Fund, part of the Local Jobs program, is designed to help address structural and other barriers to employment faced by people in our communities and facilitate job creation.

On this page:

The six priorities of the Fund are:

  • Supporting more First Nations people in employment, education or training in areas where Employment Regions and Community Development Program meet;
  • Supporting young people into the labour market through paid job placements in social enterprises;
  • Supporting mature age people to participate in the workforce and connect to jobs;
  • Supporting communities to become more resilient develop new employment opportunities as part of the transition to Net Zero;
  • Supporting Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CaLD) women through tailored self-employment programs; and
  • Redesigning jobs to better align with the skills and capabilities of people seeking work.

Projects under the fund range from $200,000 to $1 million (GST exclusive) and must be completed by 30 June 2025.

Successful National Priority Fund Projects

Following a previous tender process, the National Priority Fund is supporting the delivery of these projects. To view current and completed National Priority Fund projects, search the below table using relevant filters. Any queries can be directed to Localjobsfunds@dewr.gov.au.

NT

No Barriers to Employment

Children’s Ground Ltd
Employment Region:
Alice Springs
Status:
Current

The No Barriers to Employment project will build a high quality, responsive workforce of First Nations people by providing support, training, mentoring and employment for First Nations people from communities and families where unemployment and poverty has been intergenerational and endemic. To find out more, visit Children's Ground.

No Barriers to Employment

Children’s Ground Ltd
Employment Region:
Winnellie
Status:
Current

The No Barriers to Employment project will build a high quality, responsive workforce of First Nations people by providing support, training, mentoring and employment for First Nations people from communities and families where unemployment and poverty has been intergenerational and endemic. To find out more, visit Children's Ground.

QLD

Bigambul Employment and Training Connection and Support (BETCS) project

Bigambul Native Title Aboriginal Corporation
Employment Region:
Darling Downs
Status:
Current

The Bigambul Employment and Training Connection and Support (BETCS) project will deliver a culturally tailored model of locally coordinated individualised employment and training case management services to address barriers to employment experienced by First Nations peoples. On-country Fire Fighter Training (as well as cultural heritage management) will link into culturally tailored and appropriate recruitment and retention protocols and standards. This includes development of a formal accreditation framework for training and employment cultural competency, as well as direct support to indigenous owned business.

Collaborative Innovation Skills Pilot project

GEI Education Pty Ltd
Employment Region:
Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast
Status:
Current

The Collaborative Innovation Skills Pilot project will, through a co-design process, bring together businesses, industry, employers, educational institutions and young people to develop job redesign capabilities for businesses and accelerated work integrated learning placements for young people to meet workforce needs. To find more, visit CrISP – Groei Education.

Green Jobs, Bright Future for Bundaberg

Bundaberg Regional Council
Employment Region:
Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast
Status:
Current

The Green Jobs, Bright Future for Bundaberg project seeks to deliver training to address barriers to employment experienced by unemployed or underemployed cohorts. It will support individuals, both students and workers, to acquire new skills in the sustainable energy sector through free training opportunities. The project includes bringing together the industry players and businesses that will help to engage course participants and also identify the large-scale projects that will inform future workforce needs. To find more, visit Green jobs, bright future for Bundaberg.

HER-preneurs

Nambour Community Centre Inc.
Employment Region:
Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast
Status:
Current

The HER-preneurs project provides business and social enterprise coaching, case management and wrap around support, an active training element and Certificate III qualification to CALD women interested in starting small business. The project aims to support at CALD women with training and coaching.

SA

Employment Innovation Lab (Lab) – Young people with disability

Social Ventures Australia
Employment Region:
Western Melbourne
Status:
Current

The Employment Innovation Lab (Lab) – Young people with disability project seeks to increase the availability of jobs for young people with disability by increasing employer capability and capacity to undertake job redesign. The Lab supports employers to identify and implement changes in job design that promote employment and progression of young people with disabilities. To find out more visit SVA’s Employer Innovation Lab.

Operating Your Future project

Civil Contractors Federation South Australia
Employment Region:
Murray and South East
Status:
Current

The Operating Your Future project is a pre-employment program that provides tailored accredited training to mature-aged individuals to upskill and undertake employment in the civil construction industry. The project involves three intakes in regional South Australia (Naracoorte, Port Lincoln and Port Augusta).

Operating Your Future project

Civil Contractors Federation South Australia
Employment Region:
North West Country
Status:
Current

The Operating Your Future project is a pre-employment program that provides tailored accredited training to mature-aged individuals to upskill and undertake employment in the civil construction industry. The project involves three intakes in regional South Australia (Naracoorte, Port Lincoln and Port Augusta).

Port Lincoln Youth Development Hub (YDH)

Australian Red Cross Society
Employment Region:
North West Country
Status:
Current

The Port Lincoln Youth Development Hub (YDH) provides centres of collaboration to support unemployed and/or disengaged youth to become work ready and gain local employment in the hospitality and retail sectors.

Throughout the project, participants will engage with industry guest speakers, undertake training and work experience whilst building their employability soft skill set. These self-development and interpersonal skills include communication, planning, problem solving, building effective relationships, leadership and time management skills. To find more visit Port Lincoln Youth Development Hub (YDH).

Any queries can be directed to Localjobsfunds@dewr.gov.au.