Programmes

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Using complementary programmes
Case study: STEP participants
Case study: Wage Assistance
Case study: Corporate leaders
Indigenous Employment Centres and Job Network members
Case study: IEC participants
Centrelink Indigenous services
Personal Support Programme
Indigenous Youth Employment Consultants (IYEC)

Using complementary programmes

Job Network members can refer job seekers with vocational, motivational or foundational skill barriers to complementary programmes where this assistance may improve their job prospects and address employment barriers. Depending on the programme, referrals will either be direct to the programme or via Centrelink.

Complementary programmes include programmes funded by Commonwealth and State/Territory Governments such as:

work for the dole
language, literacy and numeracy programmes
mature workers programmes
youth employment programmes
traineeships and apprenticeships programmes which provide support such as employer incentives.

Job Network members can find complementary programmes and refer job seekers to these programmes through EA3000 using the directory of Commonwealth and state/territory complementary employment and training programmes recognised by DEWR.

Job Network members should search the directory for complementary programmes within their Employment Services Area and assess their suitability for individual job seekers in terms of target group, eligibility criteria and programme length.

The directory provides details on how to contact a programme provider and arrange a referral to the programme.

NOTE: Participation in complementary programmes should be included in, or added to the job seeker's Job Search Plan.

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Indigenous Economic Development Strategy (IEDS)

The Indigenous Employment Development strategy aims to increase levels of Indigenous employment , self employment and business development in Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population. By doing so it will also help Indigenous Australians gain and manage assets and participate in the broader economy.

The following programmes have been designed to support the aims of the IEDS:

Structured Training Employment Projects (STEP)
Corporate Leaders for Indigenous Employment Project (CLEP)
Wage Assistance
National Indigenous Cadetship Project
Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP)
CDEP Placement Incentive
Indigenous Community Volunteers
The Indigenous Small Business Fund (ISBF) provides funding for the development and expansion of Indigenous businesses and enterprises.

Structured Training Employment Projects (STEP)

The primary objective of Structured Training Employment Projects (STEP) is to achieve more jobs for Indigenous Australians, by providing funding for packages of tailored assistance, including structured and accredited training, that enables employers to provide long term jobs.

While the Government's focus is on increasing jobs for Indigenous Australians in the private sector, STEP funding is also provided to community and public sector organisations.

STEP funding is negotiated directly with employers and projects can involve differing levels of training including on-the-job training, apprenticeships and traineeships depending on the employers' needs.

STEP funding can also be provided to organisations that train participants then place them with employers. These intermediary organisations will need to demonstrate to DEWR that they have special skills that they can bring to participants not otherwise available from local employers.

Visit www.workplace.gov.au/workplace/
Organisation/Businessassistance/ for further information about STEP.

Wage Assistance

Wage Assistance offers salary subsidies to employers of up to:

$4000 for full-time work (35 hours per week or hours defined as full-time in the relevant industrial award or certified workplace agreement), or
$2200 (including GST) for ongoing part-time work of at least 15 hours per week.

Wage Assistance is used mainly by private sector businesses and is available for apprentices and trainees as well as other employees. It is also available to public and community sector employers.

The position needs to be paid at the correct wage under an Award, a collective agreement, or an Australian Workplace Agreement. The employer also needs to offer the job on an ongoing basis.

Phone the Indigenous Employment Line on 1802 102 or visit http://www.wageassistance.gov.au/ for further information on Wage Assistance. Employers can also use this site to apply online.

You can also obtain brochures about Wage Assistance for Employers by emailing: wamarketing@dewr.gov.au.

Case study: Successful ways that Wage Assistance
has helped Indigenous people gain full-time work

Corporate leaders for Indigenous employment

Corporate Leaders for Indigenous Employment (CLIEP) is a partnership between major Australian companies and the Australian Government whereby these companies commit to employing Indigenous people and the Commonwealth provides access to flexible funding for that purpose. Companies can design an employment project or strategy to suit their own business environment and can access a mix of assistance under the IEP.

The aim of the project is to encourage and assist Australian companies to generate more jobs for Indigenous Australians.

Visit http://www.workplace.gov.au/workplace/
Organisation/Industry/ for further information about CLIEP.

Case study: Corporate Leaders for Indigenous Employment stories (CLIEP)

National Indigenous Cadetship Project (NICP)
NICP supports companies prepared to sponsor Indigenous tertiary students as cadets. Cadets undertake full-time study and work experience during long vacation breaks and are usually employed by the company at the completion of their studies.

Employers participating in NICP have access to professional, qualified Indigenous Australians who understand their organisation.

Visit http://www.workplace.gov.au/workplace/Individual/Student/ for further information on NICP.

Indigenous Small Business Fund (ISBF)
ISBF funds Indigenous organisations to assist Indigenous people to learn about business, develop good business skills and expand their business. It also provides funding to individuals for the development of business ideas that have good business potential.

It complements other programmes for Indigenous business development.

Visit workplace.gov.au/isbf for further information on ISBF.

Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) Placement Incentive
Provides a $2 200 bonus to CDEP organisations for each placement of a participant in a job outside of CDEP and off CDEP wages. The incentive is not payable where the placement is made by an Indigenous Employment Centre.

Visit workplace.gov.au/workplace/
Category/SchemesInitiatives/IndigenousProgs/ for further information.

Indigenous Community Volunteers
Matches skilled volunteers with needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Visit www.volindigenous.org.au/ for further information.

Indigenous Employment Centres (IECs)
Indigenous Employment Centres (IECs) have been established to help their Community Development Employment Project (CDEP) participants take up ongoing employment outside of the CDEP.

Visit workplace.gov.au/iec for further information.

Indigenous Employment Centres (IECs) and Job Network members

CDEP participants tend not to use Job Network services. However, by participating in the IEC, many are starting to see the benefits of receiving assistance from Job Network members.

A key role of IECs is to help facilitate access to Job Network in order to increase the assistance available to participants. IEC participants can be in Job Network at the same time as being in an IEC.

IEC services are not identical to those available from Job Network. For example, IECs do not prepare
résumé summaries and IEC participants will need to work with a Job Network provider in order to have a profile prepared and access to automatic matching to vacancies on Australian JobSearch.

Benefits for Job Network members

Job Network members can gain the following benefits by working with IECs, including:

higher fees are payable for helping highly disadvantaged people into work
additional resources such as training accounts can be accessed
the profile and image of your organisation will be raised and seen as having a commitment to helping disadvantaged groups
outcomes obtained can contribute to the calculation of star ratings.

Supply of IEC participants

IEC participants have access to a wide range of work opportunities who are ready and willing to secure ongoing sustainable work outside of the CDEP Scheme.

The quality of IEC job seekers has so impressed some Job Network members that they have employed them in their organisation, which has led to a more Indigenous-friendly environment for Indigenous job seekers.

Case study: Indigenous Employment Centre participants

Centrelink Indigenous services

Indigenous call centres

Centrelink has three Indigenous Call Centres to help Indigenous peoples who live in regional and remote areas. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff will answer any questions about Centrelink payments and services.

The Indigenous Call Centres are located in Palmerston (Northern Territory), Cairns (Queensland) and Kalgoorlie (Western Australia).

Job seekers in regional and remote areas in these three States can call 13 63 80 and calls will be answered by the nearest Indigenous Call Centre.

The Indigenous Call Centres are open from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm (local times).

Centrelink Indigenous specialist officers

Centrelink has a network of Indigenous Specialist Officers and Remote Visiting Teams who make sure Indigenous peoples understand the services and programmes Centrelink offers. Indigenous Specialist Officers also provide feedback to Centrelink management on how to improve services to Indigenous peoples.

More information and locations where these Officers are based can be found at:

www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/
internet.nsf/services/indigenous_officers.htm

Personal Support Programme

The Personal Support Programme (PSP) is a Commonwealth-funded programme, administered by the Department of Employment & Workplace Relations. (DEWR).

PSP helps people who are vulnerable to social isolation and find it difficult to be involved in the workforce and/or the community. Participants may be facing homelessness, drug and alcohol problems, psychological disorders, domestic violence, financial management problems and/or long-term unemployment.

PSP endeavours to bridge short-term crisis assistance and employment-related assistance.

Personal providers help PSP participants to work towards economic or social outcomes. Social outcomes may include stabilised circumstances, increased community engagement, improved life skills, stable accommodation, increased self-esteem/confidence and accessing mental health services. Economic outcomes may include transferring to work programmes, study and/or vocational training.

While getting a job is the ultimate goal, the programme recognises that this may not be possible for all people at all times. Social outcomes may be a great personal achievement for some people.

Selection for PSP participation

Specialist officers within Centrelink assess and refer people eligible for the programme to appropriate PSP providers. Other service providers can identify people who may benefit from PSP and refer them to Centrelink for assessment and referral. Participants are referred on the basis of priority needs. Where possible, participants are able to select their provider.

PSP providers deliver a range of services to help participants identify and work towards their economic or social goals. Providers develop an Action Plan with each PSP participant and use this plan to monitor each individual's progress.

People accessing the PSP deserve individualised attention because of their difficult circumstances. Participants on PSP can expect to receive the following:

counselling/personal support—this includes guidance, assistance, encouragement, building self-esteem and confidence
referral and advocacy—help to link into their local community and to access services
practical support—for instance, assistance to attend interviews or with transport
outreach activities—to assist people living in remote areas, or who have special needs
assessment—the provider works with clients to help set goals and plans, monitor progress and work out when they are ready to move on.

Providers are selected for their skills and experience in providing assistance to potential PSP participants.

For further information about Personal Support Programme visit workplace.gov.au/workplace/
Category/SchemesInitiatives/PSP

For further information about these programmes phone the Indigenous Employment Line on 1802 102 or visit workplace.gov.au/Indigenous

Indigenous Youth Employment Consultants (IYEC)

The Indigenous Youth Employment Consultants (IYEC) programme provides support and encouragement for Indigenous young people aged 15-19 years to stay in education or move into training and/or work. Consultants are hosted by a Job Network member and funded by DEWR to work with Indigenous youth, their families, communities, local schools, vocational education and training providers, local businesses, Providers of Australian Government Services and other Job Network members. For further information about the IYEC programme visit www.workplace.gov.au/iyec.