Funding guidelines: Aboriginal Workforce Grants competitive round 2018

Aboriginal Workforce Grants is a competitive grant funding round inviting applications for projects that will result in more Aboriginal Territorians getting into and staying in jobs.

1Who can apply?

Territory Enterprises includingprivate businesses, incorporated Aboriginal organisations, industry bodies, not-for-profits and other incorporated organisations are eligible to apply.

Applicants must be direct employers of Aboriginal Territorians at the time of application OR will be directly employing Aboriginal Territorians by project’s end.

Projects may be collaborations between organisations.

Funding is not available to an individual. Applicants must have a valid Australian Business Number (ABN).

2What can be funded?

Grants of up to $80,000 are available for initiatives or projects that result in sustainable jobs or career advancement for Aboriginal people.

Applications should align with Government’s priorities, particularly for those sectors identified in the Northern Territory Economic Development Framework[1] and for initiatives that will support Government’s commitment to Aboriginal employment.

Priority will be given to projects with employment outcomes in these industry sectors:

  • Agribusiness
  • Tourism
  • Energy and Minerals and;
  • Defence and support industries.

Applications for other industry sectors may be considered where the project will meet an immediate need.

Projects should include some or all of the following:

  • Delivery by local people
  • Sustainable local employment
  • Local partnerships and collaborations
  • Improved regional and industry capability.

Projects can include elements such as services, practices and systems; pre-employment or pre-apprenticeship; foundation skills including Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN); and mentoring support.

Applicants are encouraged to identify financial or in-kind support from their organisation or other partners. This may include funding sources such as the Australian Government and private or philanthropic organisations.

3What can’t be funded?

Aboriginal Workforce Grant funds cannot be used for:

  • purchasing assets, capital goods or equipment
  • recurrent activities or to supplement core services
  • activities that duplicate other government funding
  • initiatives that may present commercial advantage including during an open tendering process
  • solely for wages.

4How to apply

Applications must be typedin the form provided atnt.gov.au/awg:

  • Application form: Aboriginal Workforce Grants 2018

Applicationswill notbe considered if the form is incomplete.

Applications are to be submitted by email to , unless otherwise agreed.

Applications close at 12 noon,Monday 26 March 2018. No extensions will be given.Applications received after this time/date cannot be accepted.

5Assessment of applications

Applicationswill be assessed on a competitive basis by a panel.

All applicants will be advised by email of the outcome of theirapplication. Unsuccessful applicants will have the opportunity to seek feedback.

General criteria

Applications will be assessed against the following criteria:

  • anticipated new jobs or career advancement in a priority industry
  • evidence of employer commitment to proposed employment outcomes
  • evidence of partner, stakeholder and community engagement and support
  • co-contribution (either financial or in-kind)
  • cost and value for money
  • benefits to business/organisation and Aboriginal employees
  • timeliness
  • sustainabilitybeyond the funded period.

Applications will also be considered on the basis of:

  • project viability
  • relative merit
  • geographic coverage

Viability

Applicants must be able to demonstrate that:

  • they have the ability and expertise to manage and deliver their proposal and all its elements; and
  • the proposal is viable and, if untested, that they can manage any risk.

The department will conduct business checks and other due diligence as part of the application assessment.

6Grant agreements

Successfulapplicants will have 14 days in which to accept or decline a grant offer.

The Department of Trade, Business and Innovation will establish funding agreements with successful applicants. Establishment of an agreement is contingent on the applicant demonstrating that they have satisfactory project management arrangements in place.

Grant recipients will be required to provide reports as set out in the funding agreement and to acquit the grant.

Grant agreementswill include a schedule of payments and agreed key performance indicators that are linked to progress payments.

A grant recipient must keep in force a policy of insurance for public risk including personal injury and death and property damage arising out of or in connection with, or in relation to, the project for a minimum of $10,000,000 (ten million dollars) in relation to any single event.

7Publication, promotion and intellectual property

Grant payments will become a matter of public record.

The department retains the right to publicise information, including good practice models, case studies, data and resources developed as a result of grant funding. The privacy of individuals will be respected.

Where relevant, intellectual property developed using grant funds will be owned by the department and may be released for use by others. Grant recipients can continue to use materials developed through the grant.

8Privacy and confidentiality

The use and disclosure of information provided for the Aboriginal Workforce Grants funding round by applicants is regulated by the relevant provisions and penalties of the Public Service Regulations, the Privacy Act 1988, theNT Information Act, the Crimes Act 1914, the Criminal Code and general law.

The department may consult with and provide material from the application to other government agencies or bodies, other organisations and/or relevant individuals to substantiate any claims or statements made in the application form.

Confidential information contained in applications may be disclosed for audit purposes to contractors engaged by the department and by other Northern Territory and Australian Government agencies for audit, reporting and law enforcement purposes. Further, the department or the assessment panel may release confidential information if it obtains your consent or is required or permitted by law to do so.

9Definitions

“Aboriginal” should be read here as including all Australian Indigenous persons. That is, Aboriginal persons, Torres Strait Islanders and persons of both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderorigin.

A “Territorian” is a person whose permanent place of residence is in the Northern Territory.

A“Territory Enterprise” isa business or other organisation operating in the Northern Territory, with a significant permanent presence in the NT and employing NT residents.

For more information, phone the AWG Program Manager on 8999 7802 or email .

Department of Trade, Business and InnovationPage 1 of 4

9 February2018, Version 2.0

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