It is focused on promoting employment growth by expanding market opportunities for local industry and providing for industry development.
The Act emphasises the importance of jobs and business growth and commits all Victorian Government departments and agencies to comply with and report on their implementation of Local Jobs First. In addition, the responsible Minister is required to report annually to Parliament on the implementation of Local Jobs First.
The Act enshrines the Victorian Industry Participation Policy and Major Projects Skills Guarantee requirements in legislation, ensuring that Victorian businesses, workers, apprentices, trainees and cadets continue to benefit from Victorian Government procurement well into the future.
In 2025 the Victorian Government made reforms to the Act, to focus on the compliance and enforcement of Local Industry Development Plans and strengthen the powers and functions of the Local Jobs First Commissioner.
The Act was previously amended in 2018, to establish the Local Jobs First Commissioner and ensure the Local Jobs First scheme was fit-for-purpose to support Victorian industry participation. To read about these past amendments, visit Policy Updates and Transitional Arrangements.