Local Jobs Program – Local Jobs, Local People Grant

The Australian Government is inviting organisations through an open competitive process to apply to deliver services under the 

Local Jobs Program over 2 years from 2025–26 to 2026–27.

The Local Jobs, Local People grant opportunity provides total funding of $10 million (GST exclusive) and will offer grant amounts from $50,000 to $250,000.

Grant objectives:
The program aims to deliver short-term activities that address the priorities identified in the Local Jobs Plan for the relevant Employment Region(s), and:

• Offer activities leading to ongoing, secure employment or build clear pathways to employment for people experiencing barriers to employment, including:
  • First Nations peoples
  • Mature age Australians (over 45)
  • Migrants, refugees, and humanitarian visa holders
  • Young people up to 24 years of age
• Help realise local employment opportunities in critical sectors such as:
  • Construction
  • Manufacturing
  • Care and Support
  • Digital and Emerging Technologies
  • Energy Transition
  •  

Australian Government are keen to receive proposals that include partnerships with local businesses—especially small and medium-sized businesses with current or emerging employment opportunities. Projects should help bridge the gap between local job seekers and employer workforce needs.

Eligibility:
To be eligible, applicants must:

• Have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
• Be located in Australia
• Have a bank account with an Australian financial institution
• Be a legal entity with capacity to enter into a binding agreement

Eligible entity types include:

• Company
• Co-operative
• Incorporated Association
• Indigenous Corporation
• Local Government Entity
• Partnership
• Sole Trader
• Statutory Entity

Key grant activity dates:

• Assessment of applications: within 7 weeks of the closing date
• Approval of outcomes: within 12 weeks
• Notification to applicants: within 14 weeks
• Grant agreements awarded: within 23 weeks
• Earliest activity start date: Early 2026
• Activity end date: 30 June 2027

How to apply:

• Complete the online application form on GrantConnect
• Provide all requested information
• Address eligibility and assessment criteria
• Include all required attachments
• Submit your application to the Community Grants Hub by 9:00 pm AEST on 24 September 2025

For more information, please refer to:

Local Jobs Program – Local Jobs, Local People Grant – Questions and Answers – version 2

Please click HERE to visit the website and for more information.