Current Grant Opportunity View - GO8044

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 you must:

• have been invited to apply for this grant opportunity by the NIAA
• be operating or intend to operate in one or more RAES regions (currently known as CDP regions)
• be one of the following entity types:
  • an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (CATSI Act)
  • a company incorporated in Australia under the Corporations Act 2001
  • an incorporated association (incorporated under state/territory legislation, commonly have 'Association' or 'Incorporated' or 'Inc' in their legal name) 
  • an incorporated cooperative (incorporated under state/territory legislation, commonly have ’Cooperative' in their legal name)
  • an organisation established through a specific piece of Commonwealth or state/territory legislation including public benevolent institutions, churches and universities 
  • an Australian state or territory government body or an Australian local government body
  • an incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust
  • a partnership
  • a consortia (joint) application with a lead organisation that is one of the above entity types 
• have an Australian Business Number (ABN) (exemptions may apply in special cases)
• where relevant, be registered for the purposes of GST
• have a bank account with an Australian financial institution
• be financially viable to the Agency’s satisfaction
• maintain adequate insurance in line with the grant agreement
• be compliant with all relevant state/territory and Commonwealth legislation, including (but not limited to) the Fair Work Act, Superannuation Act 2005 and those relating to work health and safety, and
• have rectified any issues of previous non-compliance with existing Commonwealth agreements to the satisfaction of the Commonwealth or be in the process of rectifying any issues of non-compliance with existing Commonwealth agreements to the Commonwealth’s satisfaction.

1 November 2025 to 30 June 2028

$1,151,000,000.00

You must submit your application form online.  You will receive an electronic Application ID Number once your application has been lodged with the Agency. You should keep a copy of your application, Application ID Number and any supporting documents. 

If you find an error in your application after submitting it, you should contact the NIAA at IASAMO@niaa.gov.au.

If we find an error or information that is missing, we may ask for clarification or additional information from you that will not change the nature of your application. The Agency can refuse to accept any additional information from you that would change your application after it has been received by the Agency.

If you have any questions about the grant opportunity during the application period, please contact the remoteemploymentservice@niaa.gov.au mailbox.

Please note, the Agency does not provide financial or legal advice to applicants or grantees. Applicants or grantees should seek their own independent professional advice on financial and legal matters, including compliance with any statutory obligations.