SENATOR MALARNDIRRI MCCARTHY
MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS
SENATOR FOR NORTHERN TERRITORY


650 NEW JOBS FOR COMMUNITIES IN REMOTE AUSTRALIA 

 
The Albanese Labor Government is creating more than 650 new jobs with around 100 employers across remote Australia, through the first grant round of the Remote Jobs and Economic Development (RJED) program. 
 
Following an overwhelming response and due to the high volume of applications received, the estimated number of jobs allocated to each region is larger than expected. 
  
The new jobs deliver on the Albanese Government’s push for greater economic empowerment for First Nations people and the commitment to replace the Liberal’s failed Community Development Program (CDP). 
  
The numbers of jobs are approximate and contingent on the signing of grant agreements.  

• Arnhem Land & Groote Eylandt – 140 jobs 
• Central Australia – 100 jobs 
• Greater Western Australia – 80 jobs 
• Kimberley – 50 jobs 
• North Queensland – 130 jobs 
• South Australia – 30 jobs 
• South Queensland – 20 jobs 
• Top End & Tiwi Islands – 100 jobs 
• Western New South Wales – 10 jobs 

Successful RJED employers will now be able to hire local people in their community to work in jobs they want to do, with fair wages and conditions, including superannuation and annual leave. 
  
These jobs will be the first through the $707 million RJED program which will create up to 3,000 jobs over three years and is the first stage of replacing the CDP. 
  
These 650 new jobs are in addition to the 300 roles created through the New Jobs Program Trial. 
  
Those employers have the opportunity to request to transition to the RJED program, for a total of around 950 new jobs. 
  
As part of the RJED application process, employers needed to work with their communities on what jobs were wanted and demonstrate this evidence in their bid for funding – a requirement directly reflecting community consultation feedback on the program design. 
  
Jobs approved reflect a mix of part-time, full-time and casual roles in a variety of sectors, including tourism, agriculture, community services and maintenance, culture and the arts.  
  
For those who still need help becoming job-ready, the Albanese Government is also delivering on the second stage of replacing CDP — a $1.9 billion investment over 5 years for the Remote Australia Employment Service (RAES). 
 
The RJED is an open competitive grant process supported by the Community Grants Hub. Round 1 opened on 11 December 2024 and closed on 3 February 2025. Round 2 opened on 4 February 2025 and closed on 7 April 2025.  
 
Round 1 grant decisions were made in accordance with the Grant Guidelines before the caretaker period commenced. 
 
For more information about RJED and RAES, visit www.niaa.gov.au/remote-jobs  
  
Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy: 
  
“Our Remote Jobs program is about giving people in remote communities the dignity of work, with decent wages and conditions, including superannuation and leave. 
  
“I’m incredibly pleased to see the overwhelming response to this first employer grant round and look forward to seeing these jobs filled in remote areas across the country. 
  
“These jobs will help build skills, experience and contribute to Closing the Gap in employment outcomes as well as contribute to remote communities and their economies.  
  
“The Coalition has no vision to create jobs in remote communities or invest in remote communities. 
  
“Labor went to the last election promising to replace the failed CDP program, only Labor will deliver on that commitment.” 
 
SATURDAY, 12 APRIL 2025