The Albanese Labor Government is partnering with the Victorian Government to deliver several community-driven Aboriginal employment initiatives in Victoria.
Both governments are committed to ensuring there are more employment opportunities for Indigenous Australians and to promoting the Aboriginal economy.
Assistant Minister for Social Security Kate Thwaites and Victorian Minister for Employment Vicki Ward today visited Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation in Ballarat to formally announce the partnership.
According to the 2021 Census, the unemployment rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the regional locations that will be supported through these initiatives is between 8.9 per cent and 14.3 per cent – well above the national average.
A total of $7.84 million in Commonwealth funding from the Outcomes Fund will be allocated and matched with additional equal funding from the Victorian Government for the initiatives.
They will be located across multiple regions and will be co-designed and delivered through the Victorian Government Traditional Owner Economic Hub program.
This is consistent with the State Government’s commitment to the principles of Aboriginal self-determination. They will also be developed through a co-design process between the Victorian Government and each Aboriginal community.
It is anticipated that through the co-design process, a range of employment support models will be developed and delivered that align with the objectives of each community. This may include:
- Employment support programs which help find work for unemployed or underemployed Indigenous Australians;
- Vocational counselling and pathways, including school to work transitions;
- Professional training and career development, including upskilling for young people; and
- Industry engagement including ‘earn and learn’ pathways and implementation of culturally safety workplace initiatives.
The model responds to communities’ needs for long-term funding commitments which enable innovative and flexible service delivery, shared decision-making and harness the expertise and knowledge within Aboriginal communities.
For more information contact [email protected].
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Social Security Kate Thwaites:
“These employment initiatives will be designed to make real improvements to employment outcomes for Aboriginal Victorians. By having them co-designed and led by Aboriginal communities we are confident they will be based in what communities need, and demonstrate how the Government can better work with and support Aboriginal communities”.
“It’s our hope through the Outcomes Fund that we can see real improvement in turning around First Nations unemployment”.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth:
“The support provided to the initiatives through the Outcomes Fund demonstrates the Government’s commitment to listening to and working with First Nations communities to deliver real improvements to life outcomes and positive change for all First Nations people.
“I am proud that through Government programs like the Outcomes Fund, we are able to work differently across governments, communities, and sectors to invest in innovative projects that are really needed across Victoria.”
Quotes attributable to Treasurer Jim Chalmers:
“We don't want to see disadvantage concentrate in communities and cascade through generations, and we're doing something about it.”
“We’re passionate about these projects which pull Australians out of the cycle of intergenerational disadvantage and support them to create new opportunities for their communities.”
“First Nations people know better than anyone what support they need, and these innovative Victorian programs will support people into stable, meaningful work and help them make the transition from education and training into the workforce.”
Quotes attributable to Victorian Minister for Employment Vicki Ward:
“Our Aboriginal economic hubs do great work supporting First Nations communities including businesses, entrepreneurs, creators and students,” Minister Ward said.
“We are looking forward to working with the Australian Government to deliver these First Nations-led initiatives which will further support the work our economic hubs have been providing.”
Quotes attributable to Chair of Victoria’s Koori Caucus Jason Mifsud:
“Aboriginal communities have consistently said that place-based employment initiatives that look and feel like local communities and capture the potential of local communities is a far more effective way to get our people into meaningful and sustainable employment.”