The Try, Test and Learn Fund: Tranche 2

Overview

The Try, Test and Learn Fund (the Fund) was announced in the 2016-17 Federal Budget as an initial response to the Australian Priority Investment Approach to Welfare. Tranche 2 of the Fund will finance small-scale trials of new or innovative approaches to support people at risk of long term welfare dependence. Tranche 2 has four priority groups but also welcomes ideas to support other groups proposed (and appropriately justified) by applicants. The priority groups comprise Newstart Allowance recipients aged 50 and over (with a focus on those who have been out of the workforce for longer than 12 months); migrants and refugees aged 16-64 and receiving income support; carers aged 16-64 and receiving Carer Payment; and at-risk young people aged 16-21 and receiving income support. This grant opportunity invites applications for small scale trials to provide services or supports to improve workforce participation or capacity to work for people at risk of long term welfare dependency. These services can be delivered anywhere across Australia. Tranche 2 grants will provide funding for both the co-development and delivery of projects. Co-development refers to collaborative activities to refine project design, for example through workshops with end users. Trials supported by the Fund must generate useful evidence to inform future Government policy, including by producing measurable outcomes within a two year timeframe. Projects will be robustly evaluated to produce high quality policy evidence about what works, for whom, and under what circumstances. The evidence gathered will allow the Government to transform investment in existing programs or make the case for new investments. For more information on the Priority Investment Approach, please visit the DSS.gov.au website.