Job seekers

This program has been designed to create jobs with good pay and conditions, like superannuation and leave.

If you work in a job under the new RJED program, you will be paid up to the relevant award or minimum wage rates (whichever is applicable).

You will also get relevant conditions, such as superannuation and leave. 

Rates of pay in awards and agreements will depend on the type of work you’re doing and your age, experience and qualifications.

Minimum rates of pay usually increase on 1 July each year. Use a calculator on the Fair Work Ombudsman’s website to check your rate of pay.

You may still be eligible to receive Centrelink payments if you start a job under the RJED program, but it’s best to check with Centrelink.

Read this factsheet or infographic to learn more.

The RJED program has been designed to fund local employers to pay for wages and equipment so they can hire local people into new jobs they want and need.

Employers are being encouraged to talk to their community (especially job seekers) about what jobs they might want to do and what projects their community needs.

Employers will need to show the government in their RJED grant applications how the jobs they want funding for are what their community wants and needs.

This program only provides funding for new jobs.

For the purposes of the RJED program, a ‘new job’ is a job which does not already exist within an organisation and does not displace an existing employee. 

You may be eligible for an incentive payment if you stay employed in that job for 4, 12, 26 and 52 weeks. For more information talk to your RAES provider.

Your Job Plan is an agreement between you and your employment service provider.  You will need to agree on a new Job Plan with your new provider. 

It lists the activities that will help you to gain new skills and experiences to help you get a job. 

Your provider will develop your Job Plan with you based on: 

• your capacity to work
• health issues
• caring responsibilities. 

Your provider will review and update your Job Plan regularly. 

Job referrals  

Your RAES provider will organise regular face-to-face meetings with you. 

Your provider may also email or phone you to: 

• refer you to a job
• give you more support. 

Your income support payment may be affected if you refuse to accept a suitable job offer.

Work for the dole will not continue under RAES.

When taking part in the RAES you need to: 

• attend face-to-face meetings with your RAES provider at least once a month
• agree to your Job Plan. 

If you don't attend your appointment, your income support payments may be affected. However, taking part in RAES activities is currently voluntary. 

Your payments won't be affected if you don’t attend: 

• Community Projects—work skill and projects
• Skills for Education and Employment (SEE)
• Aboriginal program placement and post-school initiatives. 

The compulsory requirements you do have are: 

• agreeing to a Job Plan
• attending regular appointments
• completing job searches
• attending job interviews
• accepting paid work
• not leaving a job voluntarily.

Mutual obligations have not changed under the RAES.  Job seekers are still required to agree to a job plan, attend monthly appointments, undertake job search requirements (where appropriate), and accept or not leave suitable paid work.

To give you time to transition between CDP and RAES, mutual obligations have been paused from Wednesday 1 October 2025 to Monday 5 January 2026 and will resume on Tuesday 6 January. You are still encouraged to meet with your provider to agree a Job Plan.

If you have any questions about transitioning from CDP to RAES you can call the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations Transition Line on 1800 306 182. You can call anytime between 9am and 5pm until 31 January 2026.

Contact your RAES provider if you can’t attend an appointment.  

You'll need to let them know the reason why you can't attend.  

They'll help you make a new appointment.

Your RAES provider may be able to help you correct your information in: 

• the RAES IT system
• your Job Plan. 

If you want to change your records, you can ask the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA)’s Freedom of Information Coordinator. 

Your records may be corrected if there is evidence to support correction. If you disagree with information held on your record but there isn’t enough evidence to support correction, you may apply to add a note to the record with your own statement.   

To request a change to, or add notes to your personal information held by the NIAA, your application must: 

• be in writing
• indicate which document needs updating or changing 

Include a statement that specifies: 

• the information you claim to be incomplete, incorrect, out of date or misleading and your reasons for the claim
• specific details of what needs to be updated. 

Freedom of information requests should be sent to the Freedom of Information Coordinator and sent: 

• by email to foi@niaa.gov.au
• by post to The Freedom of Information Coordinator 
  National Indigenous Australians Agency 
  GPO Box 2191 
  CANBERRA ACT 2600 

If you move outside of remote Australia, you may be referred to Workforce Australia. 

If you are in receipt of an income support payment, you must update your address with Services Australia. Once your address is updated, you will be transferred to Workforce Australia. 

If you are not in receipt of an income support payment and you'd like to get help to find a job through Workforce Australia, Services Australia can check if you're eligible and help you get a referral. 

Get in touch by: 

• visiting your local Services Australia office
• calling Services Australia on 132 850. 

If you're unhappy with your provider, you should let them know first. If you're unhappy with their response, you can contact us: 

• Email: complaints@niaa.gov.au
• Phone: (02) 6152 3050
• Write to Complaints at National Indigenous Australians Agency, PO Box 2191, Canberra ACT 2600.

During our community consultations, we heard regularly that First Nations peoples and people living in remote communities want the old CDEP back. Communities told us that many people had job-like activities, including cultural roles and others started receiving income for their efforts. Communities were strong and well-maintained through activities funded under the old CDEP and there was flexibility to meet cultural responsibilities.

The new RAES combined with the RJED program look more like the old CDEP but the government can’t bring the old CDEP back exactly as it was. Since CDEP stopped, new workplace rules and laws have been improved to protect the safety of everyone including:

• Requirements for Working with Vulnerable People or Working with Children checks to protect vulnerable people and children from harm.
• Introduction of new Work Health and Safety laws to manage risks to the health and safety of everyone in a job.

The government’s changes made to remote employment programs and services will bring back the positives of CDEP but also ensure you are protected under relevant laws.

Read more in this factsheet on bringing back the best parts of the Community Development Employment Projects.