Australia announces Indigenous tourism jobs with $6.7 million grant

Tailored Assistance Employment Grant has enabled Voyages to commit to employ, train, and mentor 690 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, Minister Scullion said

Nearly 700 jobs and traineeships in tourism and hospitality are being created for First Australians across the country, thanks to a $6.7 million grant provided under the Coalition Government’s Tailored Assistance Employment Grants programme.

Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion, said Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia received the funding to provide 420 employment places and 270 traineeships at its three iconic locations:

  1. Ayers Rock Resort in the Northern Territory.
  2. The Mossman Gorge Centre in Queensland.
  3. Home Valley Station in Western Australia.

“The Tailored Assistance Employment Grant has enabled Voyages to commit to employ, train, and mentor 690 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians,” Minister Scullion said.

“Importantly, it will also help trainees gain a nationally-recognised qualification, supporting them to build a career in the growing tourism and hospitality industry.”

Voyages Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Williams, said the grant had already enabled the business to boost its Indigenous workforce to 37 per cent.

“Voyages is pleased to continue our partnership with the Commonwealth Government to support training and employment outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” Mr Williams said.

“The continued funding gives us the security to continue to offer places at our National Indigenous Training Academy and to recruit Aboriginal and Torres Strait employees for all of our businesses.”

“The Coalition’s support for Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia to take on and train additional First Australians is a great example of the Government’s commitment to doing things with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to improve outcomes,” Minister Scullion said.

Tailored Assistance Employment Grants provide targeted investment to boost employment opportunities, tailored to the needs of local communities. The grants complement other programmes, including jobactive.

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