GO8044: Remote Australia Employment Service Closed Non-Competitive Grant Opportunity

The Remote Australia Employment Service (RAES) replaces the Community Development Program (CDP) and will begin in remote communities on 1 November 2025.

The RAES will provide more opportunities for job seekers and service providers who live and work across more than 2,600 communities in remote Australia.

It will support around 40,000 job seekers in remote Australia who are currently receiving income support payments to build their skills and address barriers to employment.

It will differ from the CDP by supporting successful providers to work collaboratively with communities on projects and with job seekers to understand their needs.

Interested organisations in RAES regions (currently known as CDP regions) can apply for funding through a non-competitive grants process to deliver this new service.

A RAES grant will help you provide a flexible employment service to job seekers in remote communities that supports them to upskill, find pathways to work and contribute to their community.

This includes providing the skills, training and mentoring they need to take up job opportunities – which could also be those created through the Remote Jobs and Economic Development (RJED) program.

To be eligible an applicant must have been invited by the NIAA to apply, be operating or intend to operate in the RAES region(s) or community(ies) identified in the Agency's invitation, and be one of the specified entity types (Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the CATSI Act; a company incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001; an incorporated association; an incorporated cooperative; a registered charity or not-for-profit; an organisation established through specific Commonwealth or state/territory legislation including public benevolent institutions, churches and universities; an Australian state or territory government body or local government body; an incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust; a partnership; or a consortia application with an eligible lead).

Applicants must have an ABN (exemptions may apply), where relevant be registered for GST, have an Australian bank account, be financially viable to the Agency's satisfaction, maintain adequate insurance per the grant agreement, be compliant with relevant state/territory and Commonwealth legislation (including Fair Work Act 2009 and Superannuation Act 2005), and have rectified or be rectifying any previous Commonwealth agreement non-compliance to the Commonwealth's satisfaction.

Applicants must also meet RFFR, Working with Children/Working with Vulnerable People checks and any industry licenses/registrations as required.