The Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Program, managed by the Department of Education and Training is a new initiative to assist agencies in achieving the Government's commitment to improving employment outcomes to Aboriginal people. The Program's objectives are to:

• Encourage permanent employment and professional mobility of Aboriginal people in the public and local government sectors, with incentives for employment of Aboriginal people with a disability.
• Promote innovation in achieving vocational outcomes for Aboriginal people.
• Enhance the career prospects of Aboriginal people undertaking higher levels of education and training.

Financial assistance is available to agencies under the following Program elements:

• Permanent Employment Element provides a one-off twelve-month salary subsidy to support the employment of an Aboriginal person in a public sector agency or local council. Assistance is also available for workplace adjustment if the person is employed through a disability employment service.
• Temporary Employment Element subsidises the salary cost of a temporary position (up to one year) which will provide a significant skill development opportunity for an Aboriginal person employed in the public sector or in a local council.
• Career Development Element, under certain conditions, subsidises the cost of a training or development activity for an Aboriginal employee of a public sector agency or local council.
• Partnership Project Element funds special projects which have the potential to create employment opportunities for Aboriginal people.
• Graduate Work Experience Element subsidises the salary cost of a work experience placement of an Aboriginal person for a maximum of 12 weeks during or just after the final year of a degree or post-degree course.

Advertisements calling for funding submissions will soon appear in the media and Public Service Notices. For information and copies of the Program guidelines, contact Katrina Vincent, A/Senior

Co-ordinator, Aboriginal Community Programs, Department of Education and Training on 9266 8350.

C. Gellatly
Director-General

Superseded by C2002-37