About the program
The IEI program creates rewarding employment opportunities in aged care by funding wages and training for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers.
Why it is important
The program:
- provides Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with entry level, non-clinical employment and training opportunities and career pathways in their communities
- increases the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people working in aged care, providing opportunities for greater economic participation
- increases access to culturally safe, trauma aware and healing informed aged care for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This is to help older people age with dignity in their communities, in their own homes and or in residential aged care.
How it works
We provide grants over two financial years to fund 85 organisations that deliver aged care services to older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Providers use these grants to invest in training for their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce and fund a portion of wages while training is being undertaken.
Staff in non-clinical roles such as personal care workers, food preparation workers and gardeners can be supported to upskill through this program. Clinical roles are not funded in this program.
Training can include both accredited and non-accredited courses. Courses must be relevant to delivering care and support to older people.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who would like to work in aged care can find information about workforce opportunities.
Fair Work Commission award wage increases
We continue to support the Fair Work Commission’s decisions on the Aged Care Work Value Case.
The Fair Work Commission determined further award wage increases for many aged care workers, ranging between 2.3% and 13.5%. These workers received increases to their award wage from 1 January 2025. For some workers, award wage increases were in 2 stages, with the second increase occurring on 1 October 2025.
These award wage increases apply to:
- assistants in nursing
- personal care workers
- home care workers
- recreational activities officers, also known as lifestyle workers
- ancillary staff such as administration staff, drivers, maintenance staff, gardeners, laundry hands, cleaners, and food services assistants.
The award wage increases apply to workers on the:
- Aged Care Award 2010
- Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010.
Organisations that get an IEI Program grant get extra funding for each subsidised position.
Find out more about the award wage increases, or email us for more information.
Who we work with
We fund 85 aged care organisations located in all states and the Northern Territory to deliver the program.
Read the list of organisations that receive grants under the IEI Program.
The Department of Social Services Community Grants Hub is the main contact for all funded service providers.
Apply for funding
The Australian Government has allocated funding for 2024–25 to 2025–26.
We advertise funding rounds on Grant Connect.
To get automatic emails about new grant listings, register as a Grant Connect user.
Contact
