Remote Jobs and Economic Development (RJED) Program – Round 3

  • Round 3 expected to open between January-June 2026
  • $707M invested to create 3000 new jobs in remote Australia

The Remote Jobs and Economic Development (RJED) Program is a major initiative designed to create meaningful, properly paid jobs in remote communities across Australia. Developed in partnership with First Nations communities, RJED aims to address long‑standing employment barriers by investing in new, community‑endorsed positions that align with local priorities. The program contributes to replacing the former Community Development Program (CDP) and is part of a broader shift toward sustainable, skills‑based employment supported through the Remote Australia Employment Service (RAES).

Funded under the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA), the program has received a total government investment of $707 million to create 3,000 new jobs over three years. Approximately 1,700 positions have already been approved, demonstrating strong early uptake. RJED supports employers to offer sustainable roles with fair wages, superannuation, and leave conditions, while also providing access to the Community Jobs and Business Fund (CJBF), which may cover essential equipment and capital works directly tied to job creation.

Overall, RJED is a key investment in remote workforce development, aimed at improving long‑term employment outcomes, strengthening community economic participation, and creating stable career pathways for jobseekers in remote Australia

Key Requirements

  • Create new, meaningful jobs in remote communities The primary objective is to generate up to 3,000 new roles that provide fair pay, superannuation, and leave conditions. Jobs must not replace or be funded by other government programs and must support community priorities.
  • Support local economic development through community‑aligned roles Proposed jobs must be demonstrated as needed and supported by the local community to ensure alignment with long‑term development and social priorities.
  • Assist jobseekers through improved employment pathways The program works hand‑in‑hand with RAES to ensure residents have access to training, mentoring, and support to prepare for and remain in employment.
  • Enable employers to create sustainable positions with appropriate resources Funding may include wage support and access to the Community Jobs and Business Fund (CJBF) to purchase equipment or undertake capital works required for job creation.

 

What is eligible for funding?

Eligible activities include creating new paid job roles in remote communities that align with community priorities and support economic development. Funding may cover:

  • Wages at the relevant award or National Minimum Wage.
  • Superannuation and leave entitlements for new employees.
  • Equipment and capital works directly tied to establishing the new roles via the Community Jobs and Business Fund (CJBF).
    These activities must contribute to meaningful employment outcomes and cannot duplicate roles already funded by other government programs.

What companies are eligible for funding?

Eligible entities include:

  • Employers operating in Remote Australia Employment Service (RAES) regions.
  • Organisations capable of demonstrating community‑supported, new job creation aligned with local priorities.
  • Employers able to employ RAES participants or those eligible for RAES.

Additional considerations:

  • Jobs must be new positions, not supported by other government funding streams.
  • Applicants must provide evidence of community support for proposed roles.

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 an accredited government grants consultant, such as Avant Group.

Competitive grants often require significant business case development and project analysis to support the application, this may include detailed presentations supporting the project’s merit, projected sales, cost-benefit analysis and more.

As part of your engagement with Avant Group, your account manager will assess the required documents and will provide the following as needed to support your grant submission.

Grant application writeup including a detailed presentation illustrating how the grant funding will contribute to your project, how the funding will contribute to the project’s budget, a project milestone plan, delivery timeline, impact on employment if applicable and a breakdown of the management and leadership team for the project

  • Industry analysis presentation
  • Competitor Analysis Presentation
  • Marketing and Sales Analysis Presentation
  • 3-5 year Cashflow Forecast
  • 3-5 year Balance Sheet Forecast
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis of Grant Funding
  • End-to-end grant application including information collating, analysis and application writing
  • CAPEX (Capital Expenditure) cost-benefit analysis
  • Stakeholder relations and Risk Mitigation Plans
  • Any other relevant forecasting that will support your application

How can I get help with my application? 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.