Employment incentives
Diversity in the workforce
Most grants for hiring and training staff are offered to businesses if they employ a diverse workforce. This includes people with disability, mature-age workers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and unskilled workers.
The Australian Government provides the following employment programs.
Help with wages
Government subsidies to help employers offset the cost of wages include:
- Wage Connect and the Enhanced Wage Subsidy for those hiring inexperienced and long-term unemployed people
- the Indigenous Wage Subsidy
- the Wage Subsidy Scheme and the Supported Wage System if you employ people with disability.
Staff with disability
Grants are offered for equipment and technology that can make the workplace more suitable for staff with disability. A free workplace assessment is available to help identify any modifications needed.
Support may also be provided for employers and other staff through:
- disability awareness training
- services like Auslan interpreting.
Read more about employing people with disability.
Mature-age workers
Jobs bonus
Bonuses are offered for employers who take on mature-age workers (50 years of age or older). The bonus is paid if the employee has been in the job for at least 13 weeks. They must be ongoing employees.
Skills recognition
If you have a mature-age worker who has the experience but no formal qualifications, you may be eligible for funding to have their skills assessed. Grants are available for skills assessment through a registered training organisation. This is also known as ‘recognition of prior learning’.
Recruitment and training
Help recruiting staff is available through the national employment service, Job Services Australia. Job Services Australia has employment service providers around the country. They can work with you to identify your staffing needs and help you find the right person for the job.
Some training programs, including those for mature-age workers and apprentices, attract government support.
For more information on government funding and support for training, visit:
Apprentices
Incentives are offered to help employers to take on trainees and apprentices. Read more about the benefits of employing an apprentice.
