The third grant round of the federal government's Remote Jobs and Economic Development Program (RJED) has opened, marking the largest funding round in the program's history.
Last week, the government confirmed the program would be expanded, doubling its target to 6,000 remote jobs by 2030 after originally being funded to create 3,000 positions in remote communities by 2027, supported by a $299 million investment.
On Wednesday, the third round opened to fund 1,300 jobs nationwide. The government says 1,700 jobs have already been supported across remote Australia under the scheme.
Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy said the program was already delivering results for families and communities.
"A secure job with decent wages and conditions helps more than just the individual, it strengthens families and communities," she said.
Arguing that "having a job and the dignity of work is a big part of Closing the Gap," she added: "This new grant round will build on that success, and I encourage eligible employers to apply to be part of RJED."
Labor's special envoy for remote communities, Marion Scrymgour, said the program was creating tangible change.
"Employment and a meaningful job changes lives and helps build strong communities," she said.
"RJED is an important program that is making some real impact for people in remote areas. This program provides real wages and conditions, but importantly it drives economic development and employment out bush.
"We know that when you invest in our people, our communities thrive."
A Torres Strait case study highlighted Lola Digital on Waiben (Thursday Island), founded in 2019 by Torres Strait Islander, Wuthati and Papua New Guinea woman Kantesha Takai.
The Indigenous-owned creative and content agency supports brands to work respectfully with community, culture and traditions.
"It is truly an honour to be recognised with the 2025 Regional Indigenous Business Award," Ms Takai said.
"We are privileged to live, work and grow Lola Digital on Waiben in Zenadth Kes. We are driven by our community and our success isn't possible without the support of our community, our team and our clients in the region and abroad."
The expansion of the jobs program aligns with the government's broader argument that economic participation underpins Closing the Gap. Speaking in Parliament last week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said self-determination "flows from financial security " and from "having a stake in the economy".
"Our Government values the security and opportunity that a good job provides - and we respect the dignity of work," he said. "That is why we promised to abolish the failed CDP — and we have."
It was something Mr Albanese previously noted at last year's Garma Festival, where, after the government launched the First Nations Economic Partnership with the Coalition of Peaks and the First Nations Economic Empowerment Alliance, he reiterated the focus on financial independence.
"Making sure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians can get a secure job, make the most of business opportunities and benefit from their land is a big part of Closing the Gap," he said.
"The First Nations Economic Partnership will help put communities in the driver's seat of economic opportunity, ownership and equity."
Additional reporting by Joseph Guenzler
