Funding local jobs and skills

The Local Initiatives Fund is a flexible funding pool provided to each Employment Region of $50,000 per financial year.

Use of the funds must:

• Prioritise investments and activities that clearly link people on income support to secure employment outcomes or transition into training pathways
• Support actions or interventions that contribute to improved functioning of the local labour market, including those that enhance local coordination, collaboration or capacity building
• Align with one or more priorities in the region’s Local Jobs Plan; or an opportunity identified by the taskforce
• Represent value for money
• Appropriately consider risks and mitigations
• Not bring Workforce Australia Local Jobs, Job Coordinator and Support Officer Services, the department or the Australian Government into disrepute.

The Fund may be used for activities that:

• Support activities that improve individuals’ competitiveness in the labour market, including pre‑employment, training, and community connection activities
• Fund events that share best practice and bring experts to build capability across the local skills and employment ecosystem
• Enable innovative projects that trial new methods for skilling or employment, such as virtual industry‑exposure platforms
• Deliver information sessions, workshops, job expos, and initiatives that assist transitioning workers and provide labour‑market insights
• Respond to local labour‑market disruptions (e.g., natural disasters) through targeted training, short courses, or recovery initiatives
• Support local communication, promotion, training access, supply‑chain mapping, and other projects that align with Local Industry Fund (LIF) principles.

Be a part of the solution by sharing your idea about a local initiative that can help people gain the right skills to get a job.