Employing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Employing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders can provide many business benefits, including access to employment incentives, training and support, and access to job-ready applicants.

There are a range of government incentives, programs and packages available for businesses.

Queensland Government assistance

Youth Employment Program (YEP)

YEP supports your business to employ job-ready young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders by matching suitable applicants to your employment needs. The Department of Treaty, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Communities and the Arts (DTATSIPCA) regional staff will guide you through the process of sourcing and matching potential candidates, hiring new staff, and providing post-job placement support.

YEP is an employment support program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Queensland who:

  • are finishing high school and looking for work, or considering further education
  • or
  • have completed a Certificate III or higher and are not currently being assisted by a job agency.

Your business will benefit by:

  • having access to different perspectives, experience and knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees
  • improving cultural capability and ability to communicate with diverse suppliers and customers
  • opening up a growing market for products and services (55% of Indigenous Queenslanders are under 25 years old)
  • being a workplace of choice by supporting cultural capability and workplace diversity
  • demonstrating strong corporate citizenship by providing a positive contribution to the lives and communities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders.

YEP provides support by:

  • providing access to a pool of job ready, enthusiastic young applicants
  • matching suitable applicants to your job requirements
  • providing post-placement support to you and your new YEP employees
  • linking you and your new YEP employees to other support programs, training and leadership opportunities
  • promoting your job vacancies and opportunities via our YEPQld and Deadly Stories Facebook pages
  • helping business and industry achieve improved engagement, development and employment outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders
  • increasing economic participation opportunities that enable and empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to contribute and share in Queensland's economy.

For more information about YEP, contact your nearest DTATSIPCA regional office or email yep@dsdsatsip.qld.gov.au.

Apprenticeships and traineeships

Read about apprenticeships and traineeships, including information on how to employ an apprentice or trainee, manage their training contract, and access advice and support services.

Apprenticeship/traineeship out-of-trade register

When looking for new staff, check the apprenticeship/traineeship out-of-trade register for potential staff looking for work in their trade.

Funding and incentives

When you employ an apprentice or trainee in Queensland, you may be eligible for financial support to reduce the cost of training and supervision throughout the apprenticeship or traineeship.

Read about funding and incentives for apprenticeships and traineeships.

Back to Work

Learn about the Back to Work Regional and Back to Work South East Queensland programs supporting employers who hire long-term unemployed jobseekers. Eligibility criteria apply.

Read more about the Back to Work program.

The Back to Work program also offers free and short online courses for small business employers on cultural inclusiveness and responsiveness, providing the context and knowledge required to respond to cultural needs in the workplace.

Australian Government support

Australian apprenticeships

Learn about the Australian Government's Apprenticeship Network which supports employers to recruit, train and retain apprentices through their Australian apprenticeship support network.

Representatives will work with you to identify the right training and skills needed in your business.

Also consider...

  • Last reviewed: 26 Jun 2019
  • Last updated: 28 Oct 2024