Did you know as an employer hiring a new employee means you may be eligible for a new range of financial incentives available through the Australian Government?
The new wage subsidies which came into effect from 1 November 2015 are designed to encourage businesses to employ more eligible job seekers.
Through jobactive, employers can access the new subsidies if they hire eligible job seekers who are mature age, Indigenous, long-term unemployed, youth or parents.
BUSY At Work CEO, Paul Miles said BUSY was pleased to see improvements made to the wage subsidies program.
“The subsidies are a great way to encourage businesses to take on more employees and provide more long term jobs to boost the economy,” Mr Miles said.
The following wage subsidies are now available:
- Up to $10,000 for Restart mature age job seekers over 50 who have received income support payment for six months or more and are registered with an employment services provider, paid flexibly to employers over 12 months. (This is down from 24 months previously.
- Up to $6,500 for young job seekers under 30 who have completed six months in employment services and have commenced with a jobactive provider, paid flexibly to employers over 12 months.
- Up to $6,500 for Indigenous job seekers who have completed six months in employment services and are commenced in jobactive, paid flexibly to employers over 12 months.
- Up to $6,500 for long-term unemployed job seekers who have completed 12 months in employment services and are commenced in jobactive, paid flexibly to employers over 12 months.
- Up to $6,500 for parents who have completed six months in employment services, commenced in jobactive, and classified as a Principal Carer Parent or receive Parenting Payments with participation requirements, paid flexibly to employers over 12 months.
Paul said employers claiming wage subsidies from jobactive may also be eligible to claim additional incentives through the Australian Apprenticeships Incentive Program (AAIP).
“As well as wage subsidies, the Australian Government provides a range of financial assistance to businesses that invest in apprenticeships and traineeships.”
“These incentives can be accessible on top of the wage subsidies to eligible employers and include school-based apprentices, adult apprentices and apprentices with a disability,” Mr Miles said.
BUSY At Work’s Australian Apprenticeship Support Network can inform you on which incentives are relevant to your industry and business and provide advice as to your eligibility.
Mr Miles also emphasised the importance of employers keeping their contact details up to date.
“This is also a timely opportunity to remind our employers who already have apprentices and trainees signed up through BUSY to ensure that their contact details including their email address is up to date with our lodgements and claims team to make sure they receive important information such as eligibility letters and claim updates”. Mr Miles said.
For more information about available wage subsidies and eligibility please visit: https://employment.gov.au/wage-subsidies and for details on the Australian Apprenticeships Incentive Program download the latest update from BUSY’s website
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MEDIA CONTACT: Leanne Macnamara, Public Relations Coordinator 0438 173 960 leanne.macnamara@busyatwork.com.au
