Tougher dole terms for regional jobless

Out-of-work Australians living in remote communities will have to work five days a week under employment reforms to be introduced next year.

The government's bid to end "sit-down welfare" will mean about 30,000 or the nation's 37,000 job-seekers living in Remote Jobs and Communities Program regions will be required to engage in Work for the Dole.

Minister for Indigenous Affairs Nigel Scullion said the existing RJCP scheme failed communities by applying an urban model to remote Australia.

Under the changes, the majority of remote job seekers will be required to perform work activities five days a week, 12 months of the year, from July next year.

"The reformed program will provide benefits to all jobseekers in remote areas, including Indigenous jobseekers," Mr Scullion said.

The reform is part of the government's response to the Forrest Review into indigenous employment.

Mr Scullion said the review highlighted that "idleness" is entrenched in many remote communities.

The policy will make $25 million available each year to support the establishment of local businesses.

Mr Scullion said these businesses will provide real work experience and real jobs in remote communities.

"In some communities this could include support for the creation of businesses that can secure contracts for housing maintenance, to end the farcical situation of this work being awarded by states and territories to out-of-town contractors thousands of kilometres away," he said.