Frequently Asked Questions

Community Development Employment Programme (CDEP) Participants - Eligibility for New Entrant

Q1 ) Are participants in the Commonwealth's Community Development Employment Programme (CDEP) considered as existing workers and thus ineligible for incentives applicable to new entrant trainees?

A1 ) "CDEP participants are not considered to be employed under CDEP arrangements and therefore are generally eligible for approval as new entrants and to applicable state financial benefits. Employers participating in the Community Development Employment Projects program may be eligible to receive Commonwealth incentives. Employers should contact their nominated New Apprenticeships Centre for advice in relation to eligibility for any incentives."

For more info on CDEP, it is listed under ATSIC programs at http://www.atsic.gov.au/Programs/CDEP/Default.asp

NOTE: ATSIC provides grants to communities/organisations (Land Councils, Aboriginal Corporates etc) who may in themselves "employ" CDEP participants (who are paid a CDEP wage) or place the participants with other employers who presumably receive the CDEP wage subsidy and top up the remainder themselves to employ under Award conditions. I notice on the website that the Indigenous wage subsidy (administered/paid by DEWR) is paid to CDEP organisations who are able to place participants in jobs outside CDEP.