570 North Queenslanders helped Back to Work

570 North Queenslanders are now back in employment thanks to the Palaszczuk Government’s $100 million Back to Work regional jobs program, Member for Mundingburra and Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland Coralee O’Rourke said.

“Already the $100 million Back to Work program has supported 290 North Queensland employers to hire 570 local jobseekers,” Ms O’Rourke said.

Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said local employers have so far received almost $2.7 million in support payments, money they can use to help grow their business.

“The $20,000 Back to Work Youth Boost is also a great success, with 202 locals aged 15-24 now in jobs,” he said.

Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper said the Government’s decision to extend the $20,000 Youth Boost to 31 October 2017 was an opportunity for local employers to take advantage of this great initiative.

Employment Minister Grace Grace said the Back to Work program has supported 1,283 employers to hire 2,692 workers in regional Queensland.

“There are a further 1,285 applications pending approval,” she said.

Back to Work

Provides employer support payments for eligible employers who hire an unemployed worker

• $10,000 for an unemployed worker
• $15,000 for a long term unemployed worker (out of work for 12 months or more)
• $20,000 for hiring a young jobseeker aged 15-24 (from 1 December 2016 to 31 October 2017)

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.