Remote Jobs and Economic Development (RJED) Program – Round 4

At least $56 million (GST exclusive) available in 2027–28 to create about 800 new jobs
No set limit on how much funding or how many jobs an applicant can request
Job Creation stream: pays award or minimum wages, superannuation, leave and allowances for each new job
Community Jobs and Business Fund (CJBF) stream: pays for equipment, operating costs and minor works needed to create the jobs. Requests should stay within 30% of the Job Creation budget
CJBF funding is only available alongside a Job Creation application
Applications close 17 March 2027

The Remote Jobs and Economic Development (RJED) Program funds employers to create new, fairly paid jobs in remote communities. It's run by the NIAA, with the Australian Government investing around $950 million to fund 6,000 new jobs by 2030.

The program helps people taking part in, or eligible for, Remote Australia Employment Services (RAES) move into work. Funding pays the wages and entitlements for each new job. Optional CJBF funding covers equipment, operating costs and minor works needed to get the jobs started.

The program contributes to Closing the Gap targets on youth engagement in work or study, economic participation and building the community-controlled sector.

Key Requirements

Job requirements

Be a new, entry-level role that doesn’t replace an existing employee
Be located in a RAES region and have local community support
Not be funded another way, such as NDIS positions or Indigenous Rangers
Not be a specialist role, such as a doctor, psychologist or engineer
Be casual, part-time or full-time, paid at the correct award or minimum wage

Employee requirements

Be an Australian citizen or permanent visa holder living in a RAES region
Be a RAES participant, eligible for RAES, or aged 15 to 24
Not already be in full-time work. Employees don’t need to be First Nations people

Application requirements

Provide evidence of local community support, specific to the project and dated within the last nine months
Submit a separate application for each NIAA region where jobs will be based
Organisations receiving $500,000 or more a year from the NIAA must incorporate under Commonwealth law

Regional job allocations
About 800 jobs are initially allocated across nine NIAA regions. Top End & Tiwi Islands has the most (141) and Western NSW the fewest (19). Unused allocations may move to other regions.

Applicants should work through the RJED Round 4 grant opportunity guidelines before preparing a submission.

What is eligible for funding?

Job Creation stream

Award wages and allowances, superannuation, leave entitlements, penalty rates, overtime, remote allowances and casual loading, as set by the relevant award or minimum wage.

CJBF stream
Costs directly linked to creating the funded jobs, such as:

HR and payroll, workers’ compensation and cultural supervision
Uniforms, protective equipment, tools, phones and radios
Vehicles, vessels and specialist equipment
Minor works such as sheds, shade shelters, showers and disability access
Training, mentoring, literacy support and employee induction
Transport, childcare and meals that help employees stay in work

Training is capped at $500, and property operating costs at $1,000, per employee each financial year, unless the costs are itemised in the budget.

What companies are eligible for funding?

Organisations operating, or planning to operate, in a RAES region with an ABN and an Australian bank account, including:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations
companies, incorporated associations, charities and not-for-profits
partnerships, incorporated trustees and consortia with a lead organisation
individuals or sole traders employing someone else
local governments, churches, universities and other statutory bodies

Organisations don’t need to be First Nations-owned or community-controlled. Non-corporate Commonwealth entities, unincorporated associations and overseas 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.

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