Diverse and regional communities will get the news that matters to them through a $67 million investment from the Albanese Government.

Now open for applications, the new Journalism Assistance Fund will support Australian news outlets to keep journalists employed and produce news that informs and educates.

More than $67 million will be delivered under the program, with successful applicants able to access up to $39,000 for each eligible full-time-equivalent journalist they employ over the three financial years to June 2028.

The new fund follows the successful $12 million News Media Relief Program which helped fund more than 1,000 journalists across hundreds of regional, suburban, First Nations and multicultural news outlets across the country.

This includes the Chinese Herald, that publishes the Queensland Chinese Times in Sunnybank, Brisbane, where the Minister for Communications made today’s announcement – who received more than $78,000 to help keep seven journalists employed.

As part of the News Media Assistance Program, the Journalism Assistance Fund is delivering on the Albanese Government’s commitment to promoting media diversity, public interest journalism and building a strong and sustainable news and media sector in Australia.

To apply and for more information, visit https://business.gov.au/JAF.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, Anika Wells:

“Quality, relevant news is essential for keeping Australians informed and connected – that’s why our government is investing $67 million into the Journalism Assistance Fund. 

“We need Australians telling Australian stories and that can’t happen without backing Australian journalists in diverse communities.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Moreton, Julie-Ann Campbell:

“I’m proud to be part of a government that is investing strongly to support Australian news publishers so they can continue producing the stories that Australians love and need, while contributing to a diverse and sustainable media sector.”

“It’s important that media represents the diversity of our community and the Journalism Assistance Fund means those voices continue to be heard.”