Decent Work
Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation Annual Report 2021
Queensland Performing Arts Centre: Tech Connect Queensland program. Photo credit: Darren Thomas
Overview of Year Five
“The most significant feature of our time compared with past decades is the rate of change. Science and technology and the inventions of the human race unfold themselves with such frightening speed that they cause bewilderment and social tensions. We cannot avoid them and we must make the wisest use of them.”
Sir Vincent Fairfax, October 1971
The rate of change in the world has only increased in the 55 years since Sir Vincent pondered the impacts of such a fast changing world. More than any other segment of society, young people will bear the costs of whether society makes the “wisest use” of these advancements.
In August 2026, philanthropist and Co-founder of Microsoft Bill Gates wrote, “the transition to this new AI era will be one of the most turbulent times in human history”. Young people are already feeling the impacts of economic insecurity, precarious work and housing, and AI will only disrupt their lives further – including their working life. There are both opportunities and challenges for young people as they navigate these changes.
Safe, dignified, and aspirational work is important to all young people and that’s why, for the past five years, the Decent Work focus area has been supporting employer-driven, innovative models for work that integrate learning to ensure young people gain the work and experience they need and value. As we shift to the next iteration of our grant making strategy we are continuing to keep our focus on how our granting can support young people to navigate the changing world of work and successfully manage the increasingly complexities associated with transitioning into the workforce.
This year we welcomed HoMie to the portfolio, supporting their plans to expand to Sydney. HoMie is a Melbourne-based social enterprise streetwear brand which supports young people affected by homelessness or hardship, equipping them with the skills, confidence, and experience to be more work-ready and better prepared for their future. Young people are overrepresented in homelessness statistics, but it is a situation they are able to move out of with the right support and opportunity. HoMie has a proven model, co-designed with young people, which provides these exact kinds of supportive opportunities.
Grants Snapshot
$2.3m
approved
5
grants
19%
of total funding
27%
for core funding
72%
to regional areas
Grants
2026
Queensland Performing Arts Centre(opens in new tab) – $989,000 over three years (opens in new tab)
To support Phase Two of the Tech Connect QLD program as it consolidates the impact of its previous Pilot Phase, expands cohort size, and facilitates wider sector involvement, particularly from rural and regional art centres.
HoMie (opens in new tab)– $550,000 over three years (opens in new tab)
To support the opening of a Sydney store and subsequent development and launch of the Retail Ready programs in Sydney.
Equitable Career Pathways – $590,000 over one year
To extend the prac placement payment for one more year to eligible Paramedicine students from Charles Sturt University and University of the Sunshine Coast. Data gathered will be shared with the Commonwealth Department of Education as part of advocacy efforts to expand the Commonwealth Prac Payment.
Exploration Grant
Foyer Foundation(opens in new tab - $75,000
Development of “Foyer Futures - Designing stronger pathways to decent work”, a pilot program that supports young people living in Foyers into decent work and careers.
Special Distribution
Down the Track / BackTrack - $50,000
Ongoing
Brotherhood of St Laurence(opens in new tab)
$550,000 distributed ($2,622,000 total)
Delivery of the National Youth Employment Body program and the BSL youth employment policy reform agenda.
Warrama-Li
$280,000 distributed ($545,000 total)
To support the Warrama-Li social enterprise in Moree into a stabilisation phase of development as they address local employment barriers and skills gaps for First Nations young people.
BackTrack Works(opens in new tab)
$275,000 distributed ($900,000 total)
Contribute to the core operations of this Armidale based social enterprise that provides opportunities for vulnerable at-risk young people to access decent secure work.
Sydney Opera House(opens in new tab)
$227,000 distributed ($690,000 total)
To support the expansion of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) program providing employment opportunities for a diverse range of young people facing barriers to work.
Jigsaw Group Limited,
$950,000 total
Supporting young people living with a disability into open employment.
Work Integration Social Enterprise Grant Program(opens in new tab)
$525,000 total
Philanthropic Peer Fund to collaborate with six philanthropic peers to support social enterprises that exist to create jobs and employment pathways for Australians facing barriers to employment.
Australian Training Company(opens in new tab)
$597,000 total
School-based apprenticeships in the agriculture industry across southeast NSW
Meet Aimee
Queensland Performing Arts Centre
With so many workers leaving the theatre industry during the pandemic, creating accessible pathways for young people became an urgent priority for the entire industry. Tech Connect Queensland was created to help address the issue of technical skill shortages across the state.
This one-year traineeship program is a partnership between Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), Stage Queensland, and Arts Centre Melbourne which uses a vocational education and training model. The program provides young people with the rare opportunity of nationally accredited training in a working theatre, while completing a Certificate III in Live Production and Technical Services.
In great news for the regional arts community, of the 16 places available in the program each year, half are allocated to regional venues enabling participants like Aimee Ward to explore this career pathway close to home.
"I loved theatre through school and dreamed of a career in this industry. I just never thought I would get the opportunity to do it right here in Townsville,” said Aimee.
“During the traineeship I have been learning so much about all the technical areas of theatre. I am really enjoying the audio aspects and I have worked on a few musicals now doing radio mics. My team is really supportive and takes the time to teach me every chance they get. I can really see a future in the industry.”
Aimee Ward, Trainee
Graham Menzies is Program Manager at Tech Connect Queensland and is excited to see the program reach more young people in regional areas. Graham recently went on the road, visiting the young trainees at all the regional sites across Queensland.
“It was incredibly inspiring to visit participants from Toowoomba to Cairns and everywhere in between. The key take out from the trip was the energy the participants are bringing to their traineeship and the impact that is having on the whole team. The trainees are benefiting from the experience and passion of their supervisors, while the supervisors themselves are being recognised and valued as educators.”
Graham Menzies, Program Manager at Tech Connect Queensland