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NSW Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Grant – Round 2

NSW Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Grant – Round 2

  • School-Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship (SBAT): $12,000 one-off payment per position
  • Post-School Employment: up to $40,000, part-time or full-time
  • Aboriginal Adult Apprenticeships and Traineeships (AAAT): up to $40,000. Part-time positions are paid pro rata
  • EDAEG Bursary: up to $3,000 one-off payment for approved SBAT or Post-School positions, for costs like uniforms, travel, cultural training or graduations
  • Amounts include superannuation and other employer costs. GST isn’t added, as the funding is for salary
  • Applications close: 30 November 2026
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The Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Grant helps NSW public sector agencies, councils and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) create training and employment opportunities for Aboriginal people. It contributes to the salary, development and support costs of Aboriginal employees.

The grant aims to encourage permanent employment and career progression for Aboriginal people, with extra incentives for employing Aboriginal people with disability. It also aims to support new approaches to education, employment and training outcomes.

The program is named after Elsa Dixon, an Aboriginal woman who played a key role in improving social outcomes for Aboriginal people in NSW through education, training and employment.

Key Requirements

Position requirements

  • The role must be an identified Aboriginal position within the organisation
  • It must be a new apprenticeship or traineeship established under the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001
  • SBAT roles must be approved by the Board of Studies and count towards the student’s Higher School Certificate
  • Post-School Employment learners must be at least 16 and have completed Year 10 (RoSA) or equivalent since 2022
  • AAAT learners must be at least 18

Recruitment requirements

  • Start recruiting immediately and accept the Funding Deed within 14 days
  • Confirm the employee’s Aboriginality through your recruitment process
  • Follow the Government Sector Employment Act 2013 (public service) or the Local Government Act 1993 (councils)
  • SBAT employers must work with an Australian Apprenticeship Network Provider, school careers advisers and the training organisation

Ongoing obligations

  • Provide guidance, cultural support and identity support to the Aboriginal employee
  • If the role becomes vacant, recruit another Aboriginal person into it, or return the funds
  • Manage the position directly. Subcontracting isn’t allowed
  • All trainees and apprentices are referred to the Barranggirra Mentoring Program

The Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Grant Round 2 guidelines explain the ACCO criteria and each employment stream in more detail.

What is eligible for funding?

Funding supports new apprenticeship and traineeship positions for Aboriginal people across three employment streams: school-based, post-school, and adult apprenticeships and traineeships.

What companies are eligible for funding?

Organisations, not individuals, that are registered, based in NSW and deliver services in NSW:

  • NSW Public Service agencies
  • NSW local government authorities operating under the Local Government Act 1993
  • NSW ACCOs

To qualify as an ACCO, an organisation must be a not-for-profit registered with the ACNC, have at least 51% Aboriginal people on its governing body, be connected to the community it serves, and be legally able to enter an agreement with the department.

Group Training Organisations can’t apply.

Is this grant competitive or entitlement based?

Competitive. Your application will be assessed among other applications by a judging panel.

How can I increase my chances of winning this grant?

By engaging a professional government grant writer consultant. Avant Group is Australia’s largest independent grants advisory firm. Find out more about our government grant writing and consulting service here. 

How can I get help understanding if I’m eligible for this grant? Or know if I’m likely to win funding?

Avant Group offers a no-obligation assessment of your eligibility for funding and will assess your likelihood of a successful grant application.