The Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Grant is changing lives by supporting Aboriginal education and employment opportunities across New South Wales.

Named after the first Aboriginal woman to secure a pilot's licence and one of the original founders of several critical Aboriginal institutions, the grant supports job and training opportunities for Aboriginal people across the state.

Last year the grant created more than 300 positions, with 219 of these being school-based apprenticeships and traineeships.

2024 grant recipient Korey Omeragic, who started a school-based traineeship in animal care, is now working as a trainee keeper at Sydney's Taronga Zoo.

Mr Omeragic said the grant has assisted him in gaining practical skills while pursuing a career in wildlife care.

"I've been able to take on more responsibility in the Australian Birds Department and continue learning through my traineeship thanks to the Elsa Dixon Grant," he said.

"My goal is to keep building a career at Taronga Zoo, both as a zookeeper and by working in community programs."

Part of the NSW Government's Closing the Gap commitment through a targeted $4 million program, the grant gives employers extra support needed to hire new staff, keep them employed, and assist them in building skills.

It also contributes to wages and training costs for Aboriginal employees in government, local councils and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.

NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty, David Harris, said the NSW Government is committed to working to continue to close the gap for Aboriginal people in the state.

"Programs like this are an opportunity to bolster the employment of Aboriginal people and assist them in building new skills for their future," Mr Harris said.

"NSW is the only state or territory in Australia to have an additional Closing the Gap priority reform to uplift and support the growth of Aboriginal employment, business and economic prosperity."

Through the grant funding is available for a range of roles, including school-based traineeships, full-time jobs, and support for people finishing school or taking on adult apprenticeships.

Funding is also allocated to up-skill current Aboriginal staff or support part-time study.

NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan, said early training opportunities lead to personal prosperity.

"We know that when people are supported into work or training early, it sets them up for the future, and this program plays a big part in making that possible," Mr Whan said.

"We want a workforce that reflects the diversity and strength of our communities, and this grant helps deliver that by supporting more Aboriginal people into good, secure employment."

Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Grant applications for 2025/26 are now open.

Applications, which can be made online, close 30 September 2025.