Skip to main content

POLIS

  • Home
  • About
    • Annual report
  • People
    • Director
    • Management committee
    • Staff
    • Adjuncts
    • Visitors
    • Current HDR students
    • Scientific Advisory Board
  • Events
    • CSRM Seminar series
    • Citizen Social series
    • Conferences & workshops
      • Past conferences & workshops
  • News
    • In the media
  • ASPA
    • 2025 Australian Social Policy HDR Conference
    • Australian Journal of Social issues
    • Australian Social Policy Conference
    • Contact us
  • WAPOR
  • Education & training
    • POLIS Courses on offer
    • Undergraduate programs
    • Graduate programs
    • Honours
    • Higher degree by research
    • Executive courses
  • Programs & research
    • Australian Data Archive
    • Criminology
    • Centre for Gambling Research
      • Current projects
      • Past projects & outcomes
      • Media & Resources
    • Research Methods
    • PolicyMod
    • Social Policy
    • Surveys
      • ANUPoll
        • Methodologya
        • Contact ANUpoll
    • Evaluations
    • Transnational Research Institute on Corruption
      • TRIC Award for Anti-Corruption Research
      • The Corruption Agenda
      • Anti-corruption conferences and forums
      • Research
      • Corruption Studies
      • Resources
      • Contact us
    • Research projects
      • Manning cost-benefit tool
      • Routledge Wellbeing Handbook
      • SOAR
      • QRN
      • NT Gambling project
      • FaCtS Study
      • PELab
      • Evaluation of Narragunnawali
      • OxCGRT Australian Subnational dataset
      • Post Separation Parenting Apps
  • Publications
    • Working papers
    • Methods research papers
    • COVID-19 publications
    • Other publications
  • Contact us

Related Sites

  • ANU College of Arts & Social Sciences
  • Research School of Social Sciences
  • Australian National Internships Program
  • ANU Jobs

Administrator

Breadcrumb

HomePublicationsA Review of Remote Employment Policy: Where Are We, and How Did We Get Here?
A review of remote employment policy: Where are we, and how did we get here?
Author/editor: Klein, E, Markham, F
Year published: 2025

Abstract

Drawing on qualitative and quantitative data, this paper critically examines the trajectory and impacts of employment policies in remote Indigenous Australia. It first provides a snapshot of the current remote employment crisis. By tracing policy developments from historical contexts to current practices, including the compined impacts of trends in Indigenous affairs and mainstream social security policies, the paper identifies persistent challenges and potential avenues for substantive change. The analysis reveals that despite recent policy shifts, remote Indigenous communities continue to face structural employment barriers that are poorly addressed by governmental approaches that often do not align with community needs or aspirations. The paper argues for a reevaluation of policy frameworks, advocating for strategies that address the lack of employment options in remote communities, rather than assuming that providing training and pathways is sufficient in the absence of jobs. This review highlights the disconnect between stated policy intentions and outcomes and underscores the importance of community-led initiatives and Indigenous self-determination in shaping effective employment strategies.
Keywords: remote employment policy, employment, income, poverty

File attachments

AttachmentSize
Klein-and-Markham-2025---POLIS-Working-Paper---A-review-of-remote-employment-policy--Where-are-we%2C-and-how-did-we-get-here_8_Aug.pdf(1.88 MB)1.88 MB