Through the Australian Government’s Workforce Australia Employment Services, wage subsidies of up to $10,000 are available to businesses that hire eligible jobseekers into ongoing positions.
Applying for Workforce Australia Wage Subsidy
The varying opportunities for government support for businesses are typically available for up to six months and are available to you if you meet the following criteria:
- Have an ABN
- The hiree hasn’t previously been recruited by you in the last two years
- Your new hire meets government requirements
- The position is ongoing for 20 hours or more a week
- Must follow suitable standards and pay at least the minimal national pay requirements
It’s important to note that you can’t access a wage subsidy if you are getting other government funding for the same position.
Requirements for Government support for businesses
You will need a Workforce Australia account to approve your wage subsidy agreement and manage wage subsidy payments online – we can help you to do this.
The following government subsidies for employers are currently available to eligible businesses.
Receive up to $10,000 for the Workforce Australia Services Wage Subsidy
To qualify for the Workforce Australia Services Wage Subsidy, you need to hire a person who is aged 25 years and older. The position must be:
- full-time, part-time or casual
- an apprenticeship or traineeship
- sustainable and ongoing of not less than six months
- comply with all employment standards for the employment position under any Commonwealth, state and/or territory laws, including:
- comply with all relevant laws and requirements of any Commonwealth, state, territory or local authority, including work, health and safety legislation
- provide a safe system of work for the wage subsidy Customer at all times during the wage subsidy placement
- not displace an existing employee
- not be a commission-based, self-employment or subcontracted position (excluding placements with labour hire companies or group training organisations)
- not otherwise be a non-payable outcome as defined in the outcomes chapter of the guidelines.
Receive $10,000 for the Youth Bonus Wage Subsidy
To qualify for the Youth Bonus Wage Subsidy, you need to hire a person up to and including 24 years of age.
- full-time, part-time or casual
- an apprenticeship or traineeship
- sustainable and ongoing of not less than six months
- comply with all employment standards for the employment position under any Commonwealth, state and/or territory laws, including:
- comply with all relevant laws and requirements of any Commonwealth, state, territory or local authority, including work, health and safety legislation
- provide a safe system of work for the wage subsidy Customer at all times during the wage subsidy placement
- not displace an existing employee
- not be a commission-based, self-employment or subcontracted position (excluding placements with labour hire companies or group training organisations)
- not otherwise be a non-payable outcome as defined in the outcomes chapter of the guidelines.
BUSY at Work: helping you reach your business goals
With the range of government subsidies for employers available, businesses have access to various options for maintaining a diverse work environment.
We understand that in these unprecedented times, any benefits around the means of financial support can mean ongoing security for people new to the workplace and can assist in keeping your business thriving by providing skilled workers from all stages and ages of life.
For a more detailed understanding, information about available subsidies and eligibility is available by visiting the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.
