Up to $12.52 million supporting First Nations people transitioning out of the justice system reintegrate into their communities, and engage in employment, training, and education.
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What is the Reconnection, Employment and Learning (REAL) Program?
The Australian Government has opened applications for the Reconnection, Employment and Learning (REAL) Program Phase 1, a major new initiative supporting First Nations people exiting the justice system.
Funded under the 2024–25 Budget with a commitment of $76.2 million over 5 years, the program will deliver mentoring and support pre-release and post-release to help people reintegrate into their communities, connect with culture, and engage in employment, training, and education.
This opportunity represents Phase 1 of a national rollout, with services to be delivered across selected correctional and youth justice facilities in multiple states and territories.
Reconnection, Employment and Learning Program level of support
Funding:
1. Total funding available (Phase 1): Up to $49.2 million over 4.5 years (2025–26 to 2029–30).
2. Annual allocations:
- 2025–26: $5.939m2026–27: $10.074m2027–28: $11.077m2028–29: $11.077m
- 2029–30: $11.077m
3. Funding range per grant: Approx. $635,000 – $12.52 million, depending on caseload, location, and organisational capacity.
4. Additional funding: Small organisations (turnover under $10m) may be eligible for up to $30,000 to obtain or maintain Right Fit for Risk (RFFR) cyber security accreditation.
Co-contribution:
- No applicant co-contribution is required.
- However, costs exceeding the grant agreement amount or ineligible expenditures must be borne by the applicant.
Reconnection, Employment and Learning Program important dates
- Close Date & Time: 15 September 2025 at 9:00 pm (ACT Local Time)
- Assessment of applications: Mid-October 2025
- Approval of outcomes: November 2025
- Notification to applicants: Late November 2025
- Grant agreements awarded: Late December 2025
- Earliest start date: January 2026
- End date: 30 June 2030
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
Reconnection, Employment and Learning Program objectives
The REAL Program aims to:
- Provide personalised and culturally responsive support for First Nations people transitioning out of the justice system.
- Strengthen pathways into employment, training, and education.
- Support reconnection with health, housing, and social services both pre- and post-release.
- Facilitate cultural, Country, and language connections where appropriate.
- Contribute to Closing the Gap priorities, including reducing overrepresentation in the justice system and improving social and emotional wellbeing.
Reconnection, Employment and Learning Program eligible locations
Program delivery must occur in at least one of the following facilities (with post-release support potentially extending beyond these sites):
- Queensland: Lotus Glen, Townsville Complex, Capricornia, Woodford.
- New South Wales: Wellington, Francis Greenway Complex, Mid North Coast.
- Northern Territory: Darwin & Berrimah, Alice Springs.
- Western Australia: Roebourne, Greenough, West Kimberley, Broome.
- Victoria: Fulham.
- Tasmania: Risdon.
- ACT: Alexander Maconochie Centre.
Note: All states and territories except South Australia (SA) are eligible to apply.
Projects and expenditure eligible for Reconnection, Employment and Learning Program support
Eligible activities include:
- Working with correctional/youth justice facilities to identify participants.
- Providing mentoring and case coordination through Individual Action Plans (IAPs).
- Supporting engagement with local services (Services Australia, Community Corrections, health, housing).
- Building career readiness and connecting to employment or training.
- Culturally safe support, including connections to Elders, kinship, and community.
- Program administration, governance, and reporting.
- Ongoing service provision if participants relocate.
Eligible expenditure:
- Mentor salaries, entitlements, and related administration.
- Program travel, marketing, and communications.
- Support for family reconnection, life skills training, financial literacy, accredited/non-accredited training, work licences, and employment readiness.
- Health and wellbeing support (delivered by qualified professionals).
- Housing/rent support where other options are exhausted.
- Transport, communication tools, work clothing, PPE.
- Cultural and language programs.
- Cyber security system upgrades for RFFR accreditation.
Ineligible expenditure:
- Major capital works, purchase of land, or organisational administration not linked to program delivery.
- Gifts, cash incentives, debt repayment, legal fees, security costs.
- Overseas travel.
- Retrospective costs (before agreement start).
- Services already funded by other government programs (e.g. fee-free TAFE).
- Parole or justice functions, cultural heritage and land rights activities subject to state/territory legislation.
- Ongoing cyber accreditation maintenance costs beyond RFFR allocation.
Other Reconnection, Employment and Learning Program important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Reconnection, Employment and Learning Program support
Applicants must be one of the following:
- Company
- Cooperative
- Corporate Commonwealth Entity
- Corporate State/Territory Entity
- Incorporated Association
- Indigenous Corporation
- Local Government
- Non-corporate Commonwealth/State/Territory Entity or Statutory Authority
- Partnership
- Sole Trader
- Statutory Entity
Not eligible:
- Individuals
- Unincorporated associations
- Overseas organisations
- Entities on the Workplace Gender Equality Agency non-compliant list or the National Redress Scheme exclusion list.
See the guidelines for full details of organisational requirements.
Reconnection, Employment and Learning Program assessment criteria
Applications must address three equally weighted criteria (each up to 6,000 characters, approx. 900 words).
Criterion 1: Service Delivery
Applicants must demonstrate:
- Experience in building relationships with correctional facilities and referral pathways.
- How program delivery will be tailored to local jurisdictions and participant cohorts (women, youth, men, those with disability/health conditions).
- Plans for collaboration with local communities and services.
- Strategies to help participants set personal goals, develop IAPs, build career readiness, and remain engaged.
Criterion 2: Commitment to First Nations People and Culture
Applicants must show:
- Delivery of culturally competent, trauma-informed services.
- Commitment to empowering participants and embedding cultural safety and diversity.
- Evidence of meaningful engagement with Elders, cultural leaders, and First Nations organisations.
- Incorporation of feedback from consultations into service design and delivery.
Criterion 3: Organisational Capability
Applicants must provide:
- Evidence of delivering programs of similar size/scope, ideally within correctional contexts.
- Understanding of both pre-release and post-release environments.
- Strong governance, IT, and risk management systems.
- Evidence of staff qualifications, training, lived experience, and strategies for attracting/retaining staff with community connections.
Note: No numerical weightings or percentages are applied; all three criteria carry equal weighting.
How do I get the Reconnection, Employment and Learning Program?
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.
- Provide complete information requirements.
To be successful, applicants should show they can:
- Deliver the Program – Explain how services will run in correctional facilities and communities, tailored to participants’ needs, helping them set goals and connect to jobs, training, education, and support.
- Work with First Nations People – Demonstrate cultural safety, trauma-informed practice, and real engagement with Elders, cultural groups and communities.
- Run the Program Well – Prove organisational strength with experience in similar work, strong governance and systems, and qualified staff who understand and connect with communities.
Information to prepare for the Reconnection, Employment and Learning Program application
Before applying, make sure you have:
- Proof of your organisation’s legal entity type (e.g. incorporation, Trust Deed if relevant).
- Confirmation your organisation is not on the National Redress Scheme or WGEA non-compliant lists.
- A statement confirming Child Safe measures will be in place.
- Evidence of support from the local community and the State/Territory Justice Department or correctional facility.
- Key organisational documents: business/strategic plan, financial policies, and a risk management plan.
- Consortium or subcontractor details and letters of support (if applicable).
- Financial information:
-
- Two most recent year-end financial statements (audited if available).
- Bank account details and recent bank statement for verification.
- Details of any other government funding for the same activity.
- Project details: title, description, service areas, project plan, resources, milestones.
- Confirmation of participant eligibility understanding.
- Indication if you will apply for Right Fit for Risk (RFFR) cyber security funding (up to $30,000).
- Completed declarations: conflict of interest, accuracy of information, and agreement to terms.
See the guidelines and sample application form for a full list of information requirements.
Applying for the Reconnection, Employment and Learning Program
All applications must be lodged via GrantConnect.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Reconnection, Employment and Learning Program resources
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