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304
Invest in training and employment programs attuned to local needs
That spending on training and other active labour market policy programs (such as CDEP and job subsidy schemes) be given preference over spending on unemployment relief programs. The determination of priorities for particular training programs must be better attuned to the particular needs expressed by local Aboriginal groups in their regional and community plans, and the skill requirements of the local labour market.
Limited opportunities in regional areas can lead to skills shortages, weaken local economies, and reduce demand for institutions like TAFEs and universities. To address this, there is a need for greater investment in place-based, community-informed training and employment pathways that lead to stable, long-term jobs across Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, mainstream, and government sectors.
Aboriginal Justice Caucus Assessment
The intent of Recommendation 304 was to prioritise investment in labour market policy programs that are attuned to local needs, rather than invest in unemployment relief programs.
Consultation with the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR) highlighted that the National Skills Agreement Bilateral Implementation Plan is delivered through the Victorian First Nations VET Alliance—comprising Aboriginal community-controlled organisations—which pilot accessible, culturally responsive training models with wrap-around and peer supports. DJSIR also noted the Youth Employment Scheme (YES) Traineeship program, which has supported around 180 Aboriginal participants into roles within the Victorian Public Service since 2018.
In our discussion, we echoed the findings of the Yoorrook Justice Commission, whereby Rueben Berg noted that Aboriginal people are often put through training programs and courses that do not lead to employment, ‘a constant cycle of being put through training but no actual jobs at the end of it.’ Training programs are often undermined by the absence of guaranteed jobs at completion, forcing participants to take unrelated or short-term roles or relocate to metropolitan areas. This reduces employment opportunities and disrupts community and family connections for Aboriginal people in regional Victoria.
I'd like to see training or traineeships that leads into long-term full-time employment, because a lot of Aboriginal organisations and government departments give a 12-month contract and that's it. (Bobby Nicholls, Chairperson, Hume Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee (RAJAC))
These challenges also apply for people that must travel for training opportunities that are not available regionally. Although VACCHO and VACSAL are making great efforts towards boosting capabilities of the Aboriginal workforce through Certificate IV, Diplomas and other training programs, these programs are predominantly metropolitan based.
There's not enough out locally without our people having to travel, going away from their home. It's hard because a lot of people, especially our younger mob, don't want to go too far away from home.
(Merle Miller, Representative, Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Incorporated)
We want to see increased investment in Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) and Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association Ltd (VACSAL), including creating an ACC-RTO classification to expand training delivery and funding.
Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations are more likely to employ Aboriginal people but currently lack sufficient funding to grow their workforce.
Aboriginal organisations will take on people, but they're not funded to increase their workforce because they don't have the dollar to match it. That’s the challenge.
(Bobby Nicholls, Chairperson, Hume RAJAC)
Mainstream and government organisations are often less culturally safe, city-based, and have stricter qualification requirements, making them less accessible to Aboriginal communities.
Aboriginal organisations are providing what the community needs. Mainstream isn't touching it with a ten-foot-pole.
(Chris Harrison, Co-chairperson, Aboriginal Justice Caucus)
Limited opportunities in regional areas can lead to skills shortages, weaken local economies, and reduce demand for institutions like TAFEs and universities. To address this, there is a need for greater investment in place-based, community-informed training and employment pathways that lead to stable, long-term jobs across Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, mainstream, and government sectors.
Priority for Further Work:
High
Relevance and potential impact | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Low (0-2) | Moderate (3-4) | High (5-6) | |||
Extent of action taken and evidence of outcomes | High (5-6) | ||||
Moderate (3-4) | |||||
Low (0-2) | |||||
Potential Actions for Further Work
Investment in employment pathways
In conjunction with implementation of Recommendation 92(b) from Yoorrook for Transformation, the Victorian Government must invest in creating long-term employment pathways in mainstream and Aboriginal organisations for Aboriginal people that graduate from training programs, particularly across regional Victoria.
Support the creation of an ACCO Registered Training Organisation
Support the creation of an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation Registered Training Organisation (RTO) classification so that more ACCOs can become RTOs and receive funding through Employment Pathway Brokers Service to provide culturally safe work programs.
Background
The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (RCIADIC) found that many Aboriginal people faced barriers, such as location and cultural factors, that limited access to mainstream employment. The Aboriginal Employment Development Policy acknowledged poor job prospects in regional and rural areas and supported creating local employment through community projects.
The Commissioners noted that job creation programs were more effective than unemployment relief. Training programs proved to have greater impacts on employability but need to align with labour market needs. Importantly, policies should respect cultural ties, ensuring Aboriginal people are not required to leave their communities for work.
Actions Taken Since Last Review
Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions
National Skills Agreement – Closing the Gap – Bilateral Implementation Plans
The National Skills Agreement provides Commonwealth funding to improve outcomes for Aboriginal learners in the VET sector. In 2023, the Victorian Government signed the agreement, securing funding to strengthen VET through initiatives aligned with national priorities, including Closing the Gap. This priority emphasises self-determination and shared decision-making to better meet Aboriginal needs. In Victoria, the NSA Bilateral Implementation Plan is delivered by three Aboriginal community-controlled registered training organisations (Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association Ltd and Bubup Wilam Aboriginal Child and Family Centre) forming the Victorian First Nations VET Alliance.
Under the Bilateral Implementation Plan, Alliance members will trial and assess training models that incorporate wrap-around supports, culturally relevant learning, and peer support to improve accessibility for Aboriginal learners in both metropolitan and regional areas. Success will be measured by increased participation in VET programs via Aboriginal community-controlled registered training organisations, greater engagement with student support services, and the number of students and trainers supported.
The Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Incorporated (VAEAI) aims to embed Aboriginal knowledge and perspectives to improve engagement practices, recruitment, induction, and cultural auditing to create more inclusive TAFE environments. It will build VET sector capability to adopt culturally inclusive practices and drive systemic behavioural change, strengthening cultural competency across training organisations.
Employment initiatives
The Community Revitalisation program engaged communities, local leaders, organisations and governments to work together to respond to local needs and create pathways to economic inclusion for those experiencing multiple and interrelated forms of disadvantage. This has included support for Aboriginal communities supported by Kaiela Institute in Shepparton and Gunnaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation in East Gippsland. The Community Revitalisation program concluded in June 2025.
The Youth Employment Scheme (YES) Traineeship Program provides opportunities to young people facing barriers to employment to take on traineeships in participating Victorian public sector departments and agencies.
Impact
Outputs
Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions
The Community Revitalisation program
The Community Revitalisation program received over $18 million in funding between 2018-19 and 2024-25 (across all sites) to take a place-based approach to economic inclusion for those for those experiencing multiple and interrelated forms of disadvantage.
Since 2018, there has been approximately 180 Aboriginal graduates and trainees that have commenced roles within the Victorian Public Service through the YES Traineeship Program.
Outcomes
Yoorrook for Transformation
Yoorrook heard from Rueben Berg, Co-Chair of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, that Aboriginal people are often put through training programs and courses that do not lead to employment:
A constant cycle of being put through training but no actual jobs at the end of it.
Generally, Yoorrook heard calls for continued investment in supportive workforce programs, including mentoring programs, cultural competency training and Reconciliation Action Plans.
Community Views
Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation
Our people are still locked out of the upper levels of income and employment due to factors such as a lack of cultural safety, a lack of targeted mentoring and development support, a lack of political representation, and due to racism and discrimination among staff, managers, and employers.
Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO)
Aboriginal people often face barriers to accessing employment opportunities, leading to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment. This does not mean that Aboriginal people are not fit for employment, but shows an ongoing, systemic problem.