The final set of reforms to the Local Jobs First Act 2003 (the Act) commenced on 1 July 2026. These changes impact all agencies and suppliers involved in Local Jobs First projects. Please read below for more information.
Read the Local Jobs First Act 2003.
The changes to the Act focus on:
- the compliance and enforcement of Local Industry Development Plans, and
- strengthening the powers and functions of the Local Jobs First Commissioner.
KEY DOCUMENTS
Local Jobs First Policy, Guidelines and Model Clauses
The following Local Jobs First documents have been updated to support these reforms. These are available to download on the Local Jobs First Key Documents page.
- Local Jobs First Policy
- Local Jobs First Agency Guidelines
- Local Jobs First Supplier Guidelines
- Local Jobs First Model Clauses
Regulations
Transitional regulations have been made to manage the shift from the old rules to the new rules for Local Jobs First projects which are in different stages of development or delivery on 1 July 2026. Regulations have also been made to set out the procedural details and requirements for matters related to the deprioritisation of suppliers under the Act. These regulations are available on the Victorian Legislation page:
- Local Jobs First (Local Jobs First Amendment Act 2025) Transitional Regulation 2026
- Local Jobs First Regulations 2026
Factsheets
More information about the changes is available in the factsheets below. These are also available on the Local Jobs First Factsheets page.
Provides a general overview of the key changes to the Local Jobs First Act 2003 and how they apply to new and existing projects | |
Outlines new and expanded powers and functions available to the Local Jobs First Commissioner | |
Explains the deprioritisation regime, including an example of how a deprioritisation determination impacts tender evaluation | |
Explains what Local Industry Development Plans (LIDPs) are used for and what suppliers need to do to comply with their LIDP |
Background on the Local Jobs First reforms
Changes from 20 August 2025
Some changes commenced immediately after the Bill passed in 2025.
These included:
- a new definition of ‘Local Jobs First’
- a new provision allowing the Minister to set requirements to use a specified amount of local uniform and personal protective equipment (PPE)
- a new contestability assessment process so that agencies are not required to apply Local Jobs First to projects determined to be non-contestable.
Changes from 1 July 2026
The final set of changes to the Act commenced on 1 July 2026.
These include:
- clarification of Local Jobs First compliance requirements for suppliers for reporting and meeting commitments
- strengthened Local Jobs First compliance processes for agencies, including a new contingent payment mechanism in contracts
- stronger compliance and enforcement powers for the Local Jobs First Commissioner.
Page last updated: 1 July 2026