What are the Back to Work Queensland subsidies?
The aim of these support payments is to give incentive to and support employers who hire a long-term unemployed or young jobseeker either in the populous south east corner of Queensland or in the state’s regions.
There are two distinct subsidies, with the Mature Aged Worker Boost Payment discontinued from 1 July 2018 across QLD.
- Employer Support Payments ($15,000 full-time) for a jobseeker previously unemployed for 52 weeks or more
- Youth Boost Payments ($20,000 full-time) for a jobseeker previously unemployed for a minimum of four weeks and aged between 15-24 years
- 75% of the payment to be paid for Permanent Part-Time employees working a minimum of 20 hours/week
Incentive Employment is keen to hear from interested employers looking to hire, and recommends you get in touch as soon as possible as funds will become quickly exhausted.
To be eligible for a Back To Work Payment, the employee must:
- be a citizen or resident with the right to work in Queensland
- have been unemployed for at least four weeks
- not have worked for you in the past 12 months
- not be a full-time student
- not displace any existing staff member
- be employed in a mainstream role if disabled
- be between 15 and 25 years of age.
All employers are eligible with the exception of government entities. You may be required to demonstrate a good record for workplace health and safety and industrial relations, plus a genuine commitment to the employee continuing beyond the end of the subsidised period.
Eligible jobs must be:
- located in the south east or regions of Queensland, respectively
- permanent part-time or full-time (or eight hours per week for people with a disability)
- Full-time and part-time apprenticeships and traineeships are also eligible.
What are the payments worth?
Each employer may claim up to four Back to Work South East Queensland payments of different combinations of Employer Support Payments and Youth Boost Payments.
The Employer Support Payments are for up to $15,000 per application, paid in three instalments after 4, 26 and 52 weeks.
The Youth Boost is for up to $20,000 for an eligible full-time employee over 52 weeks of continuous employment, also paid in three instalments.
How can Incentive Employment contribute?
Incentive Employment offers a low-cost service to employers seeking subsidised staff that takes all of the hassle – and risk – out of the recruitment process.
We source, screen, interview and shortlist local staff from multiple agencies, giving you the benefit of high numbers of quality candidates pre-selected for you.
We also add value by being your expert trusted advisor for employment subsidies, making sure you claim what is available to you and not missing out on possible funding you could have claimed.
Contact us today about how to expand your business with quality new staff and receive valuable government subsidies.
