What is the Back to Work program?
The Back to Work program is designed to give businesses the confidence to employ Queenslanders who have experienced a period of unemployment. Support payments are available to eligible employers who hire a previously unemployed Queenslander who has experienced a minimum period of unemployment, directly prior to commencing work with them.
The program is available throughout Regional Queensland and in areas of South East Queensland (SEQ) experiencing significant labour market challenges.
Employer Support Payments and Youth Boost payments are available to eligible employers who meet all the program eligibility criteria.
The program is not a wage subsidy. The decision to employ someone is at the discretion of the employer and must be a business decision that is independent of the availability of the Back to Work support payment.
Where is the Back to Work program delivered?
Back to Work – SEQ
Eligible Local Government areas are:
- Logan
- Scenic Rim
- Ipswich
- Lockyer Valley
- Somerset
- Moreton Bay
Back to Work – Regional
Eligible regions are:
- Central Queensland
- Far North Queensland
- Mackay/ Whitsunday
- North Queensland
- North West Queensland
- South West Queensland
- Wide Bay Burnett
Back to Work funding.
Back to Work Support Payment (up to $15,000)
This payment is available to employers who employ a jobseeker who identifies as belonging to one of the following cohorts:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (minimum unemployment period of eight weeks)
- People with disability (minimum unemployment period of eight weeks)
- Long-term unemployed people (unemployed 52 weeks or longer).
Youth Boost Payments (up to $20,000)
A Youth Boost payment of up to $20,000 is available to employers who employ a jobseeker who is aged between 15-24 and has been unemployed for a minimum period of eight weeks.
Important information about submitting applications.
Applications for Back to Work payments must be made by the employer, not an agent or other party. This is because the employer needs to agree to the terms and conditions of the Back to Work program. From 1 July 2019, a certified copy of the employer’s ID must be included as evidence for all applications.
Initial payment applications must be received within eight weeks of the employee completing four weeks of continuous employment.
Detailed information and eligibility criteria can be found on Queensland Government’s Back to Work Initiatives website.
Ready to apply?
Applications must be made through the QGrants system.
