Sustainable and meaningful employment is essential for financial security, especially in today's cost-of living crisis.

Yet for many Australians, particularly First Nations people, this security remains out of reach.

This NAIDOC Week (July 6-13), employment services provider atWork Australia has urged ongoing need for practical, person-centred support which can help First Nations people achieve employment.

A recent survey revealed two in five (41 per cent) of First Nations households experienced food insecurity in the past year, often due to financial instability.

Job opportunities had improved in recent years, with full-time employment rates for those aged 15 and 64 increasing to 56 per cent in 2021, compared to 48 per cent in 2011.

Around 984,000 of Australia's population identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, an approximate number given First Nations people are undercounted in the census data, with almost three quarters of the cohort residing in New South Wales (339,500), Queensland (273,200) and Western Australia (120,000).

For atWork Australia client, Joel, a 37-year-old Wiradjuri man based in Ulladulla, NSW, the journey to stable employment was not so straightforward.

"Discrimination was something I faced early on," he told National Indigenous Times.

"It takes a toll on you – everyone has a boiling point, you just have to find the good people around you, and build off that."

Joel's experience is unfortunately common, with recent data showing 54 per cent of First Nations people reported experiencing racism in 2024, a sharp rise from 39 per cent in 2014.

In Ulladulla, only 55 per cent of First Nations people aged 15 years and above are employed, with 41 per cent working full time.

Joel said atWork Australia had helped him persevere with finding a job by understanding his needs, offering him more than just job ads.

"It was a real challenge to find services that understood what my priorities were," he said.

"Sometimes, there'd be little to no communication."

Aspiring employees face a range of barriers to gaining sustainable employment, including conflict between family responsibilities, a lack of job opportunities and insufficient education and training to acquire the required skills.

Currently employed as a traffic controller, Joel received financial support from atWork Australia that helped mitigate what would have been an expensive process, with his first training course costing $1,500.

atWork Australia provided financial assistance on necessary qualifications, and guidance on resume writing and documentations.

"They gave me the confidence and practical tools to move forward," Joel said.

"It was challenging to find services that understood my priorities and helpful to receive the support I needed to get qualified for the role – including the training, and other essential costs, like my uniform.

"I had help writing my resume and getting the right documents together, and that kind of support makes a huge difference.

"For the first time I felt like I was being listened to, in regards to the kind of work I wanted and the skills I needed to get there."

Joel continued to be supported by atWork Australia and had an inclusive employer, and has since thrived at work during the past year.

"Having a job gives me purpose," he said.

"I want to keep moving forward, not be stuck or seen as just another stereotype."

First Nations people represent more than 11 per cent of atWork Australia's client base. In the past year the employment agency supported more than 4,000 First Nations people undertake training and upskilling activities to create employment opportunities.

More information about atWork Australia's varied and tailored programs is available online.