2025/2026 Round 1 Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Grant

The Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Grant (EDAEG) is an initiative to encourage job opportunities and career advancement for Aboriginal people.

The aim of the program is to promote diversity, innovation and service responsiveness in the NSW workforce by reducing barriers to employment and promotion for Aboriginal people.

The EDAEG provides funding to organisations (not individuals) to support Aboriginal education, employment and training.

Organisations applying for funding under the EDAEG must be registered, based in NSW and provide services within the State. To be eligible, organisations must be a:

• NSW Public Service Agency; or
• NSW Local Government Authority operating under the Local Government Act 1993
• Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations in NSW

• School-based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBAT) – $10,000 one off payment to support school-based apprenticeships and traineeships.
• Post School Element – up to $30,000 (Part-time or Full-time Employment Status) to support the continuation of employment for a learner who successfully completed a High School Certificate (ROSA, Year 10) or equivalent requirements from the year 2022 to the present day.
• Aboriginal Adult Apprenticeships and Traineeships (AAAT) – up to $40,000 to support the creation of employment of an apprenticeship or traineeship. Learners must be a minimum 21 years of age to be eligible.
• Permanent (Ongoing) Employment – up to $40,000 to support the creation of permanent employment.
• Part Qualification - The EDAEG provides a one-off payment of up to $5,000 to employers to subsidise wages for new or existing staff undertaking ongoing training and development. This support applies to full-time or part-time employees in identified positions, including newly created roles.

• EDAEG Bursary – Up to $3,000 (Only for SBAT and Post School Elements) A one-off bursary payment to an approved SBAT or Post School Employment element for additional support. The bursary is to provide financial support for approved stakeholders to achieve their program outcomes.

Note: SBAT, Post School and AAAT Learners must be engaged in an Apprenticeship or Traineeship, established under the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001, to obtain this grant. Applications for the SBAT element are only to be submitted in round 1 and by 30 September 2025, and applications for the Post School, AAAT and Permanent Ongoing elements are to be submitted by 28 February 2026.

Successful Applicants will need to provide there Proof of Aboriginality upon recruitment. 

For more information on the Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Grant or if you require assistance, Please Contact:

Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Grant Team

Email: SWP.EDAEG@det.nsw.edu.au

Our Guidelines: Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Grant (nsw.gov.au)