Grace Grace
A new State Government employment program announced in Tuesday’s State Budget will offer regional employers $10,000 to $15,000 to take on new staff and keep them employed for 12 months.
The government said its new $100 million Regional Jobs Package aims to create up to 8000 jobs outside south-east Queensland over the next two years.
“Our Back to Work initiative is all about bringing more jobs to regional Queensland,” Employment Minister Grace Grace said.
“It’s a $100 million package that will give businesses the confidence to employ regional jobseekers, while providing an economic boost to the regions in challenging times.
“We’re specifically targeting regional Queensland communities because of the particular employment challenges they’re facing.”
The new package includes:
- $80 million in support payments for employers to take on regional jobseekers, including those disadvantaged in the labour market such as the long-term unemployed, young people, mature aged jobseekers, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
- $10 million for the Certificate 3 Guarantee Boost Program so that more Queenslanders able to access subsidised courses to obtain jobs
- $10 million for Back to Work officers who know the local economy and local employers, and can connect employers and jobseekers to opportunities and support, including through Regional Employment Networks
“Regional employers who hire an eligible unemployed person will get a $10,000 payment under this initiative,” Ms Grace said.
“This will rise to $15,000 for the long-term unemployed who have been out of work for 12 months or more.
“Apprentices and trainees are also counted as eligible employees under the scheme, provided their employer is not eligible for the Government’s payroll tax rebate.”
Eligible employees will also have access to job readiness payments to help them start a new job.
Budget Wrap-Up:
