Closing the employment gap for First Nations Australians

Thursday 3 July  

Sustainable and meaningful employment is essential for financial security, especially in today’s cost-of-living crisis. Yet, for many Australians, particularly First Nations people, this security remains out of reach. 

A recent survey revealed that two in five (41%) First Nations households have experienced food insecurity in the past year, often due to financial instability¹. Employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians have improved in recent years, with full-time employment rates for those aged between 15 and 64 seeing a promising increase to over half (56%) in 2021², compared to 48% in 2011³. 

This NAIDOC Week (6–13 July), employment services provider atWork Australia is calling attention to the ongoing need for practical, person-centred support that can help First Nations people achieve their employment aspirations. 

Around 984,000* of Australia’s population identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, with almost three quarters of this cohort residing in New South Wales (339,500), Queensland (273,200) and Western Australia (120,000)⁴.  

For atWork Australia client, Joel, a 37-year-old proud Wiradjuri man based in Ulladulla, New South Wales, the journey to stable employment was not so straightforward.   

“Discrimination was something I faced early on,” he recalls. “It takes a toll on you – everyone has their boiling point. You just have to find the good people around you and build off that.” 

Unfortunately, Joel’s experience is not uncommon. Recent data shows that more than half (54%) of First Nations Australians reported experiencing racism in 2024, a sharp rise from 39% in 2014⁵. In Ulladulla, only 55% of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 years and over are employed in the labour force, with 41% working full-time⁶. 

Joel says that what helped him push through was finding employment support through atWork Australia that understood his needs and offered more than just job ads. “It was challenging to find services that understood my priorities,” he said. “Sometimes, there’d be little to no communication.” 

For some aspiring employees, barriers to finding sustainable employment could include a range of factors such as conflict between family responsibilities, a lack of job opportunities and insufficient education and training for the required skills⁷. 

However, for Joel, who is currently employed as a Traffic Controller, the financial support from atWork Australia has helped mitigate what would have otherwise been an expensive process for him – requiring at least $1,500 for the first training course, alongside further expenses such as buying a radio. 

“It was helpful for me to receive the financial support I needed to get qualified for the role through atWork Australia – including covering the cost of training, and other essentials like my uniform. I also received help with writing my resume and getting the right documentation together. That kind of support made a real difference – it gave me the confidence and practical tools to move forward.” 

“When I connected with atWork Australia, for the first time I felt like I was being listened to. They took the time to understand the kind of work I wanted and helped me access the tools to get there.” 

For Joel, it was crucial that at the end of the day, he was able to find a workplace that was not only inclusive but also was a source of motivation. With the continued support of atWork Australia and being connected with an inclusive employer, Joel has been thriving within his workplace for more than 12 months. 

“Having a job gives me purpose,” he says. “I want to keep moving forward, not be stuck or seen as just another stereotype.” 

atWork Australia is committed to empowering individuals to overcome barriers in the workplace and connect them with employers who recognise their skills and value. 

First Nations people represent more than 11% of atWork Australia’s client base being supported to find employment. In the last year, atWork Australia has supported more than 4,000 First Nations clients engage in training or upskilling activities to create a pathway to employment. This has resulted in an observed increase in sustained employment in industries such as building and traffic control.