The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP
Minister for Social Services
Member for Kingston
The Hon Dr Jim Chalmers MP
Treasurer
Member for Rankin
The Hon Kate Thwaites MP
Assistant Minister for Social Security
Assistant Minister for Ageing
Assistant Minister for Women
Member for Jagajaga
The Hon Vicki Ward MP
Victorian Minister for Employment
Victorian Minister for Prevention of Family Violence
Member for Eltham
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.
