Streamlining Norfolk's employment and VET services

The Australian Government is committed to supporting Norfolk Islanders build their future, with a new streamlined employment and VET assistance program to roll out from July 1 next year.

The Norfolk Island Employment Support Program will consolidate the existing support provided through the Employment Services (Norfolk Island) and Disability Employment Services (DES) programs, as well as the VET Financial Assistance Initiative.

The centralised program will provide participants, including those with a disability, parents, mature-aged, and youth with support tailored to their individual employment needs.

This includes improved user experience through better access to online resources, a greater focus on post-placement support, and more support for people who are already employed to upskill and retrain.

The program will also feature a range of enhancements to employment support for people with disability, in line with the new specialist disability employment program also commencing on 1 July 2025 – with expanded program eligibility and the removal of the current two year service limit.

The program will be delivered by a Norfolk Island-led and locally based organisation – with its design informed by community feedback, as part of the Government’s commitment to implementing place-based services that meet the distinct needs of Norfolk Islanders.

The community will be updated as the provider is selected, and as implementation of this important program is progressed.

For more information on the Norfolk Island Employment Support Program, visit the Department of Infrastructure website.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Social Services, the Hon Amanda Rishworth MP:

“Your location shouldn’t stop you from building your future, which is why we are rolling out this centralised and tailored service on Norfolk Island, to meet the unique needs of local residents.

“Whether you’re in the city, the bush or on a remote island – you should have access to high-quality support services, which is exactly what this new program will provide Norfolk Islanders.” 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Senator the Hon Murray Watt:

“Norfolk Islanders deserve an employment system that works for them, and they shouldn’t be disadvantaged due to their location.

“The model, led by a local organisation, will provide valuable learnings which could be applied more broadly as part of future employment service reforms on mainland Australia.”

Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Territories, the Hon Kristy McBain MP:

“We know that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work for regional and remote communities, and that’s the feedback we’ve heard from Norfolk Islanders on a range of services.

“That’s why we’ve put their feedback at the centre of this program’s design, to ensure it supports Norfolk Islanders to upskill in the areas where it’s needed most, and to support on-island employers who are struggling to find local workers to fill the gaps.”

Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Bean, David Smith MP:

“This Program is good news for Norfolk Islanders, because it’s been carefully built to reflect local feedback, and to deliver services that are tailored to the distinct needs of the local community.

“This will have long-term benefits on Norfolk Island, because it will support residents to secure employment, gain new skills, strengthen the local economy, and to build their future.”