Economic development and employment

Indigenous people need to be part of the wider economy in the Territory as wage-earners and business owners. A job gives purpose to people’s lives, as well as providing more financial security. Economic participation is another major Australian Government priority.

What needs improving?

More than one third of Indigenous people of working age are not in the labour force, compared to one in 10 non-Indigenous Territorians. Indigenous employment rates for 15–64 years olds fall to one third when participation in Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) is not counted as employment.

People in remote communities need to be trained and encouraged to take up available job opportunities.

What is being done?

Over the last four years the Australian Government has:

• increased job placements for Indigenous people in the Northern Territory through Job Services Australia
• converted many CDEP positions into full-time jobs in government service-delivery with proper wages and conditions — more than 2240 jobs have been created
• made available jobs in housing construction and maintenance
• worked with the Northern Territory Government on a Shires Indigenous Workforce Strategy to train and mentor Indigenous people for jobs in local government.

Directions for the future?

Indigenous economic development needs concerted effort by all levels of government working in partnership with Indigenous people and the private and non-government sectors.

The Australian Government will soon be consulting nationally on how to improve employment services in remote areas. Further reform of remote employment programs such as CDEP will be critical.

Other directions for the Northern Territory may include:

• matching training with the kinds of jobs available locally
• helping service workers in remote communities to improve their skills to meet the wider demand for qualified workers
• providing accommodation so people can move from remote areas for training and jobs
• working with the Northern Territory Government on increased opportunities through the Shires Indigenous Workforce Strategy, designed to provide 530 jobs for Indigenous people over the next three years
• opening up direct contracting opportunities for Indigenous suppliers through reformed procurement requirements.

The Government wants to hear from local people how more jobs can be created in communities, or people wanting jobs can be linked to employment. We want to encourage local people to take up available opportunities.