Expanded Back to Work program to fuel jobs bonanza

The State Budget includes an extra $77.5 million for an expanded Back to Work jobs program, which will 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 jobseeker 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.

“The State Budget also includes an extra $50 million in 2017-18 to support the continuation of the Back to Work regional program, and this additional funding will support up to 3,400 new jobs.

“This is in addition to the $100 million already allocated to this program, with all existing assistance remaining available to eligible regional employers.”

Back to Work Regional Queensland *

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 jobseeker 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 jobseeker (a person unemployed for 52 weeks or more)
• $20,000 for a young jobseeker (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.