Forecast Opportunity View - Remote Employment Service
Remote Employment Service
The Australian Government is reforming remote employment by replacing the Community Development Program (CDP) in two stages, in partnership with remote communities.
1. The first stage is the new Remote Jobs and Economic Development program, which is creating 3000 new jobs in remote Australia over three years and started in December 2024.
2. The second stage is the design and delivery of a new remote employment service which will begin on 1 November 2025. The new service will replace CDP with a flexible employment service across remote Australia.
It will better support job seekers in remote Australia to upskill, find pathways to work and contribute to their community. It will differ from the old program by leading with a strengths-based approach, supporting providers to work collaboratively with communities on projects and with job seekers to understand their needs.
CDP services have been extended until 31 October 2025 to support remote job seekers before a new remote employment service begins. There is planning underway to ensure a smooth transition between programs.
Organisations that would like to deliver remote employment services will be able to apply for funding through a grant process.
A competitive grant selection process will open in the first half of 2025 for interested organisations in RES regions (currently known as CDP regions) to apply.
Draft Grant Opportunity Guidelines are available on the NIAA website for public consultation until 21 April 2025.