New co-design measures to replace CDP

Media release -  Minister Wyatt

Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM MP, has moved today to establish a comprehensive suite of measures to co-design a replacement for the Community Development Program (CDP) in 2023.

“Australia’s job landscape has changed significantly since the CDP was last reviewed in 2019,” Minister Wyatt said.

“With job creation being such a critical part of our economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, now is the time to reconsider how employment services are delivered and ensure they are fit-for-purpose.”

A discussion paper has been released today, inviting all Australians to share their views on the way Federal employment services are delivered for people living in remote Australia.

“We are looking for new and innovative ideas to improve participation in employment programs and get people job-ready to take up opportunities when they present themselves. We want to hear from job seekers, communities, employers, industry groups and peak bodies about what is working well and what they’d like to see changed.”

The discussion paper coincides with the introduction of legislation to facilitate co-design in remote engagement program pilot sites.

The Social Security Legislation Amendment (Remote Engagement Program) Bill 2021 creates a supplementary payment for eligible job seekers who engage in the remote engagement program pilot sites.

The new supplementary payment will be fixed between $100 and $190 per fortnight. Together with job seeker income support and other supplements such as rent assistance, it will be approximately equivalent to the minimum wage for the hours worked.

Eligible job seekers will participate in placements between 15 to 18 hours per week, with the experience aimed at enabling transition to paid employment.

The new payment will be one aspect that communities can trial alongside other approaches to training, skills development and non-vocational support in their remote employment program.

“As part of the 2021-22 Budget, I announced the Morrison Government’s commitment to replace the CDP in 2023 and that the new remote engagement program will be piloted in sites across remote Australia from late 2021 until full roll out of the new program in 2023.

“Both the discussion paper and trial sites will help inform the co-design of the remote engagement program.

“During co-design for the pilots, we will take the time to work with and listen to communities about what they think could work. We must continue to develop an approach that empowers people living in remote communities to develop their skills and engage in economic opportunities in a way that is both tailored to their specific needs and beneficial to their communities.”

In addition, the National Indigenous Australian Agency will also be hosting a series of roundtables and information sessions virtually and in remote locations around Australia to seek feedback on the discussion paper and the proposed new engagement program.

For a copy of the paper and to submit your comments, visit New Remote Engagement Program

Submissions close 30 November 2021.