West Wyalong, NSW

Local Initiatives Fund


Job Coordinators have access to a flexible funding pool to support and deliver small scale local activities to respond to community priorities that improve local labour market functioning.

Use of the funds must:

  • 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, Employment Facilitator and Support Officer Services, the Department or the Australian Government into disrepute.

The funds may be utilised for activities that:

  • support skills development to meet local employer demand.

  • increase individual’s competitiveness in the labour market or are likely to lead to an employment pathway including training, pre-employment and community connection activities.

  • engage employers.

  • build capability of stakeholders in the local skills and employment ecosystem.

  • assist individuals, workers and employers that have been impacted by labour market disruption.

  • contribute to other local initiatives or projects that align with the Local Initiatives Fund principles.

Examples can include the following:

  • Undertaking supply chain mapping for a particular region/s. This could involve working with a local university or similar organisation and could target specific areas such as transferable skills mapping.

  • Holding information sessions, workshops, jobs expos or other events, helping transitioning workers or individuals into alternative training or employment, and gathering of labour market information to inform affected businesses.

  • Developing accessible communication products including for retrenched or stood down workers. This could include translating core communication products into other languages.

  • Delivery of events that share best practice, innovative thinking and real-life experiences to local stakeholders. For example, funds could bring a speaker or subject matter expert to the region/s for workshops or a forum.

  • Organising access to training and training equipment in a region/s

  • Local media or social media campaigns to promote job opportunities in targeted industries or occupations.

  • Innovative initiatives that trial new ways of getting people skilled or into employment.