Economic participation

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Creating jobs and helping Indigenous businesses. 

Governments are working with Indigenous people to:

  • develop sustainable communities and local communities
  • help Indigenous job seekers with support, training and life skills
  • encourage businesses to train and employ Indigenous people
  • provide more job training and community development in remote areas
  • provide real jobs in local communities
  • start up and assist Indigenous businesses
  • encourage enterprises based on land and culture
  • reform government purchasing procedures to give more jobs and opportunities to Indigenous people
  • find more employment in the public sector
  • help families to manage their money.

Indigenous Economic Development Strategy released

Indigenous Economic Development Strategy.

The Indigenous Economic Development Strategy 2011–2018 is an Australian Government policy framework that aims to support the increased personal and economic wellbeing of Indigenous Australians through greater participation in the economy.

The Strategy has five priorities: to strengthen foundations to create an environment that supports economic development; to invest in education; to encourage participation and improve access to skills development and jobs; to support the growth of Indigenous business and entrepreneurship; and to assist individuals and communities to achieve financial security and independence by increasing their ability to identify, build and make the most of economic assets.


Published: 19 October 2011
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Economic Participation is one of the building blocks in the Closing the Gap strategy, agreed by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG).

One of the Closing the Gap targets set by COAG in 2008 relates to economic participation:

  • to halve the gap in employment outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians within a decade.

On 19 October 2011 the Australian Government released the Indigenous Economic Development Strategy 2011-2018, which aims to provide a framework to increase the wellbeing of Indigenous Australians by supporting greater economic participation and self-reliance.

The Government is undertaking a review of remote participation and employment services with a view to introducing improvements from 1 July 2013. Consultations with people in remote communities, service providers, employers and other stakeholders are taking place during August and September 2011. A discussion paper has been released and submissions can be made until 5pm 12 October 2011.

Integrated Indigenous employment services are available through the Job Services Australia network, in conjunction with the Indigenous Employment Program and, in areas with poor labour markets, Community Development Employment Projects.

The National Partnership Agreement on Indigenous Economic Participation aims to assist up to 13,000 Indigenous Australians into jobs.

Indigenous economic participation is also being addressed as part of the Australian Government’s Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory legislation.

The Australian Public Service Commission supports Indigenous employment through Public Calling – the APS Indigenous Employment Strategy.

Ranger jobs across Australia are provided through Working on Country projects.

The Australian Government supports Indigenous enterprises through the Business Development Program, managed by Indigenous Business Australia, and land-related business, training and employment through the Indigenous Land Corporation.

In the Northern Territory, grants for community businesses are available through the Aboriginals Benefit Account.

Partnerships with the non-government and private sectors are important in closing the employment gap, including:

For more information on Indigenous economic participation, go to:

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