The State Government Budget today announced an extra $77.5 million for an expanded Back to Work jobs program, which will now include South East Queensland from 1 July.
Employment and Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace said there was an extra $27.5 million in the Budget to provide similar support to employers in the South East, to that already available to regional employers under the Back to Work Regional Employment Package.
“From July 1, the existing Back to Work program available in regional Queensland will be extended to employers who take on a long-term unemployed or a young unemployed job seeker aged 15-24 years in the South East,” Ms Grace said.
“This will support up to 1,500 new jobs in the South East, with eligible employers in line for support payments of up to $20,000.
“Regional employers are embracing the Back to Work program in ever increasing numbers, with the program already supporting over 4,800 jobs outside the South East.
CEO BUSY At Work Paul Miles said this was exciting news and urged businesses to get on board while the program was available.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for businesses to grow and to help put a dent in our youth unemployment by employing apprentices and trainees full-time.
“Youth unemployment is a very real problem throughout Queensland and we are thrilled that the government is expanding the Back to Work and Youth Boost program to include South East Queensland,” said Mr Miles.
Snapshot
Current eligible regions:
Far North Queensland, North Queensland, Mackay/Whitsunday, Central Queensland, Wide Bay Burnett North West and South West.
Support payments currently available for eligible employers of up to:
- $10,000 for hiring an unemployed worker (specific to regional Queensland, outside South East Queensland)
- $15,000 for hiring a long-term unemployed worker (a person unemployed for 52 weeks or more)
- $20,000 Youth Boost for hiring a young job seeker aged 15-24 years (must be employed by 31 October 2017 (inclusive))
Back to Work Southeast Queensland * From July 1, 2017
Support payments available for eligible employers of up to:
- $15,000 for eligible employers who hire a long-term unemployed job seeker (a person unemployed for 52 weeks or more)
- $20,000 for a young job seeker (aged between 15-24 years)
*Eligibility criteria applies
Businesses can visit www.qld.gov.au/backtowork or call 13 QGOV (13 74 68) for more information about Back to Work or to apply for an employer support payment.
For further information about apprenticeships, traineeships or the Back to Work ‘Youth Boost’ scheme, please call 13 BUSY (13 28 79) or visit www.busyatwork.com.au
For information on Back to Work visit https://busyatwork.com.au/lp/back-to-work-incentive/
End
MEDIA CONTACT: Leanne Macnamara, Public Relations Coordinator
0438 173 960 leanne.macnamara@busyatwork.com.au
