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.

SA

Port Lincoln Youth Development Hub (YDH)

Australian Red Cross Society
Employment Region:
Mid North SA
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).

Young Women Lead, Empower and Develop

Centacare Catholic South Australia
Employment Region:
North West Country
Status:
Current

The Young Women Lead, Empower and Develop program is delivering a series of tailored 10-week sessions to increase the resilience, confidence, wellbeing, knowledge and skills of young women aged 15-25. It specifically addresses barriers relating to disadvantage, exposure to domestic or sexual violence and/or the impact of unhealthy relationships, and empowering increased education and workforce participation. To find more visit Centacare Catholic Country SA.

Northern Adelaide Plains Food Cluster (NAPFC)

Northern Adelaide Plains Food Cluster Inc
Employment Region:
Adelaide North
Status:
Completed

The Northern Adelaide Plains Food Cluster (NAPFC) Workforce Development Program delivered data, insights, recommendations and tools to reduce barriers and increase understanding and coordination of workforce needs. Through strategies based on this greater understanding of the workforce needs, the program aimed to increase participation in existing career pathways available across the horticulture industry and maximised regional employment. To find out more visit Workforce Development Program (Northern Adelaide Plains).

TAS

Supporting Locals

National Disability Services Limited
Employment Region:
Hobart and Southern Tasmania
Status:
Current

The Supporting Locals project addresses barriers to job seekers entering the disability sector in regional Tasmania. The project provides local referral pathways, including tailored training, support and employment in the disability care sector. To find out more, visit Success for NDS’s Supporting Locals program.

Supporting Locals

National Disability Services Limited
Employment Region:
North and North Western Tasmania
Status:
Current

The Supporting Locals project addresses barriers to job seekers entering the disability sector in regional Tasmania. The project provides local referral pathways, including tailored training, support and employment in the disability care sector. To find out more, visit Success for NDS’s Supporting Locals program.

VIC

Clean Energy Council First Nations Community Engagement Project

Clean Energy Council Ltd
Employment Region:
Inner Metropolitan Melbourne
Status:
Current

The Clean Energy Council First Nations Community Engagement project is a collaboration between the Clean Energy Council (the Supplier) and Original Power Ltd (trading as First Nations Clean Energy Network). The project aims to increase the capacity of First Nations community members to participate in and benefit from Australia’s energy transition. It comprises two components, delivery of First Nations engagement workshops for communities in three regional locations; and the development and dissemination of online training modules to assist industry to engage with First Nations communities.

Clean Energy Council First Nations Community Engagement Project

Clean Energy Council Ltd
Employment Region:
Fitzroy
Status:
Current

The Clean Energy Council First Nations Community Engagement project is a collaboration between the Clean Energy Council (the Supplier) and Original Power Ltd (trading as First Nations Clean Energy Network). The project aims to increase the capacity of First Nations community members to participate in and benefit from Australia’s energy transition. It comprises two components, delivery of First Nations engagement workshops for communities in three regional locations; and the development and dissemination of online training modules to assist industry to engage with First Nations communities.

Good Start Project

Banksia Gardens Association Incorporated
Employment Region:
North Western Melbourne
Status:
Current

The Good Start Project centres on a therapeutic alliance between a case manager and the participating young person to help build the social and emotional learning that is necessary to enter the modern workplace. It aims to provide young people with employment through an 'earn while you learn’ experience at one or more of the four social enterprises operated by Banksia Gardens.

Hydrogen Upskilling Engineers

Engineering Education Australia Ltd
Employment Region:
Inner Metropolitan Melbourne
Status:
Current

The Hydrogen Upskilling Engineers project will develop, trial and evaluate a suite of online hydrogen short courses with direct pathways to industry-endorsed micro-credentials. It will address workforce development needs to enable the hydrogen industry to advance in a more safe, reliable and timely manner, thereby contributing to Australia’s transition to Net Zero. To find out more, visit Hydrogen Upskilling Engineers.

Hydrogen Upskilling Engineers

Engineering Education Australia Ltd
Employment Region:
South Coast of Victoria
Status:
Current

The Hydrogen Upskilling Engineers project will develop, trial and evaluate a suite of online hydrogen short courses with direct pathways to industry-endorsed micro-credentials. It will address workforce development needs to enable the hydrogen industry to advance in a more safe, reliable and timely manner, thereby contributing to Australia’s transition to Net Zero. To find out more, visit Hydrogen Upskilling Engineers.

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