Grants supporting local collaboration and skill-building to empower over 40,000 job seekers across 2,600 remote Australian communities through the innovative Remote Australia Employment Service initiative.
Current status of program
CLOSED
To register your interest in future rounds or discuss alternative grant opportunities please contact us here.
On this page you will find
What is the Remote Australia Employment Service?
The Remote Australia Employment Service (RAES) is the Australian Government’s new flagship remote employment service, replacing the Community Development Program (CDP). It will commence from 1 November 2025 and provide a flexible, community-informed model of employment support for around 40,000 job seekers across 1,200 remote communities.
Administered by the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA), RAES is designed to better connect job seekers to local job pathways, improve workforce participation, and enhance community-led development across 60 defined regions.
Remote Australia Employment Service level of support
Total Funding Available:
- $1.151 billion AUD from 1 November 2025 to 30 June 2028.
Minimum and Maximum Amount:
There is no minimum or maximum grant amount per applicant; funding is determined based on:
- Caseload size
- Employment outcomes
- Degree of remoteness
- Establishment costs
- Right Fit For Risk Cyber Security Accreditation (RFFR) costs
Co-Contribution:
- No financial co-contribution is required from applicants. However, cost-efficiency and value for money are assessed as part of the application.
Remote Australia Employment Service important dates
- This program is currently closed
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
Remote Australia Employment Service objectives
- Provide strengths-based, culturally safe case management support
- Help participants upskill and move towards sustainable employment
- Drive local workforce development through co-designed community projects
- Improve collaboration with employers and stakeholders
- Increase Indigenous employment and organisational capability
- Contribute to Closing the Gap Targets 7 (youth employment) and 8 (adult employment)
Projects and expenditure eligible for Remote Australia Employment Service support
Eligible activities include:
1. Service Delivery
- Job seeker assessments and personalised job plans
- Mentoring, skills development, and wraparound support
- Access to transport, work equipment, interpreters, and tech
- Linking participants to RJED-funded or other employment opportunities
2. Community Projects
- Community co-designed initiatives that enhance local job pathways
- Enterprise development, training projects, and social enterprise work
- Self-employment mentoring and support
3. Establishment Costs (up to $500,000)
- Available to new or expanding providers
- Includes office setup, equipment, advertising, training
4. RFFR Accreditation Costs (up to $300,000)
- For providers requiring cyber security accreditation
Ineligible Expenditure Includes:
- Costs incurred before 1 Nov 2025 (except approved setup/RFFR)
- Development costs of Community Project Work Plans
- Retrospective or duplicate costs funded by other programs
- Loan repayments, fines, gifts, relocation assistance
- Jobs already funded elsewhere
- Alcohol, tobacco, firearms, drones, and overseas travel
Other Remote Australia Employment Service important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Remote Australia Employment Service support
Applicants must:
- Operate or intend to operate in one or more RAES regions
- Be an incorporated entity such as:
- Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander Corporations (CATSI Act)
- Companies, Associations, Cooperatives
- Universities, Churches, Public Benevolent Institutions
- Local, State or Territory Government bodies
- Incorporated trustees, partnerships, or consortia with eligible lead
Additional requirements:
- Have an ABN and bank account
- Be financially viable
- Maintain insurance and comply with Fair Work and WHS legislation
- Rectify any past Commonwealth non-compliance issues
See the guidelines for full details of organisational requirements.
Remote Australia Employment Service assessment criteria
All four criteria are equally weighted and assessed comparatively within each RAES region:
Criterion 1: Service Delivery Model
- Experience delivering remote employment services
- Understanding of Mutual Obligation and remote employment contexts
- Approach to holistic, culturally appropriate, user-centred service
Criterion 2: Local Knowledge and Engagement
- Use of community governance and stakeholder networks
- Strategies to build local trust and leverage partnerships for better outcomes
Criterion 3: Tailored Support for Participants
- Cultural competence and safety for diverse cohorts
- How Participation Options and Community Projects will be tailored and inclusive
Criterion 4: Organisational Capability
- ICT, governance and risk management systems
- Track record, staff development, training and long-term capability building
Note: No percentage weightings are specified in the guidelines, but all criteria are of equal importance.
How do I get the Remote Australia Employment Service?
Applicants must:
- Read and understand the guidelines.
- Ensure eligibility for the funding. Applicants that do not meet all the eligibility criteria will not be considered.
- Deliver the project/s as outlined in the application.
- Provide complete information requirements.
Information to prepare for the Remote Australia Employment Service application
You will need to prepare and attach the following documents:
- Evidence of community support (letters, meeting minutes, etc.)
- Project and Risk Management Plan (max 10 pages)
- Budget Template (for Establishment and/or RFFR costs)
- Bank account evidence (e.g., bank statement)
- Organisation chart and key personnel details
- Financial documentation (if not currently contracted by NIAA)
For consortia, include letters of support from all partners detailing roles, contributions and Indigenous engagement metrics.
See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.
Applying for the Remote Australia Employment Service
All applications must be submitted via the GrantConnect portal.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Remote Australia Employment Service resources
Is Your Business Eligible for This Government Grant?
GrantHelper can assist with your organisation’s grant application, no matter what stage of the funding journey you’re at.
Whenever You’re Ready, Here Are 7 Ways We Can Help You
- Grant Application Readiness
Assess your current position, identify gaps, and prepare your organisation to meet the stringent requirements of competitive grant programs. - Grant Application Strategy
Pinpoint the right grants, align your projects with funding priorities, and establish a roadmap that significantly boosts your chances of success. - Grant Application Search
Let us do the heavy lifting to uncover the most relevant and high-value grant opportunities tailored to your business objectives. - Grant Application Writing
Our expert writers craft persuasive applications that showcase your strengths and align seamlessly with the funder’s goals and criteria. - Grant Application Review
Receive detailed, strategic feedback to sharpen your application, address potential weaknesses, and ensure maximum alignment with assessment benchmarks. - Grant Application Management
End-to-end oversight of your grant journey — from planning and writing to submission and reporting — so you can stay focused on running your business. - Grant Application Courses
Access self-paced online training to build your internal capability and develop the skills needed to navigate and succeed in the grant landscape.
Ready to get started?
Not Ready to Enquire Yet?
We understand that winning grants takes time—something many business owners and directors don’t have. That’s why we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Our Insights showcase some of the grant-winning methods we employ at GrantHelper, and they will help you create a stronger grant application.
Explore our Insights page, or our Podcasts page, where you’ll find expert advice, actionable tips, and time-saving strategies to help you get grant-ready.
Alternatively, check out some of the Clients we’ve helped and what they had to say about us.
