28th July 2021 | Business
As victoria recovers from the covid crisis, some businesses are having labour force issues. The government services have put together a list of incentives and funds to help with recruiting. And to boost job opportunities for the youthful population.
All Wage subsidy placements must average at least 20 hours per week over the 26-week wage subsidy period and be ongoing. Employment must also comply with National Employment Standards.
Here is a list of the Programs available with an overview of Employment Services and wage
subsidies that are available to support small businesses;
| PROGRAM | LEAD ORGANISATION IN INNER METRO MELBOURNE | FUNDING SOURCE | PROGRAM DETAILS | TYPE | AUDIENCE |
| The Local Jobs Program | Apprenticeship Employment Network | Federal Government Department of Education Skills & Employment (DESE) |
The Local Jobs Program brings together expertise, resources, and access to funding at the local level to support job seekers and their communities in each region. The program has a particular focus on reskilling, upskilling and employment pathways and is part of supporting Australia’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Local Jobs Program team will work with employers and industry to address local labour force issues and design employment solutions through access to the Local Recovery Fund and existing State and Federal programs. Local Jobs Program – Department | Employment solutions Funding |
Industry & Employers |
| Jobactive | Job Prospects Jobfind Workskil Australia Sarina Russo Max Employment |
Federal Government Department of Education Skills & Employment (DESE) |
Jobactive is an Australian Government initiative delivered by a national network of organisations dedicated to getting more Australians into work. It connects job seekers with employers and is delivered by a network of Jobactive providers in over 1700 locations across Australia. Jobactive providers can help job seekers with writing a résumé, looking for work, preparing for interviews, getting skills that local employers need, and finding and keeping a job. Search for jobs, find the right staff (jobactive.gov.au) |
Employment Service | Employers Job Seekers |
| Online Employment Services | Nil | Federal Government Department of Education Skills & Employment (DESE) |
Online Employment Services (OES) are the Australian Government’s mainstream online employment servicing platform on the Jobactive website. It was created in April 2020 in response to the increased demand for Centrelink payments and employment services due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Jobseekers accessing OES are deemed job-ready and suffered job losses because of COVID-19. OES allows job seekers to manage their job search and reporting requirements online. People in OES can be referred to a Jobactive provider either by calling the Digital Services Contact Centre or through their Dashboard. |
Employment Service | Employers Job Seekers |
| Career Transition Assistance | Jobfind Sarina Russo |
Federal Government Department of Education Skills & Employment (DESE) |
Career Transition Assistance (CTA) is for Jobactive participants aged 45 and older. The program is designed to help participants build their confidence and skills to become more competitive in their local labour market. Supports include: – Identifying transferable skills and available local job opportunities, and tailoring applications based on their skills and experience. – Practical digital skills using different types of technology and how to apply for jobs online. https://www.employment.gov.au/career-transition-assistance |
Employment Service | Job Seekers |
| Thrive | NA | Federal Government | To help refugees in Australia become economically independent by assisting them to start their own businesses. • Helps refugees with business support, financing & mentoring. • Supported by Westpac, other large companies, foundations and donors Eligibility: • Above 18, working rights, sufficient English and an ethical business idea. |
Refugees and asylum seekers | |
| ParentsNext | Brotherhood of St Laurence Jobfind |
Federal Government Department of Education Skills & Employment (DESE) |
ParentsNext providers work with parents and carers to help build confidence, develop skills, and access local support and services to plan for the future. Parents and carers do not need to start looking for a job while in the program but taking part in ParentsNext will put them in a better position to act on opportunities when the time is right. ParentsNext participants will typically transition to jobactive services once their youngest child reaches school age. Support through ParentsNext might include: – Help with finding a training course or work experience. – Help with accessing childcare and parent support networks. – Connecting with local services including domestic and family violence, financial counselling, and emotional support. – Help with writing a resume, job searches, applications, and interview practice. https://www.employment.gov.au/parentsnext |
Employment Service | Job Seekers |
| Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements | AASN Providers | Federal Government Department of Education Skills & Employment (DESE) |
The Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidy supports businesses and Group Training Organisations to take on new apprentices and trainees, to build a pipeline of skilled workers to support sustained economic recovery. Through the subsidy, any business or Group Training Organisation that engages an Australian Apprentice between 5 October 2020 and 31 March 2022 may be eligible for a subsidy of 50 per cent of wages paid to a new or recommencing apprentice or trainee for a 12-month period from the date of commencement to a maximum of $7,000 per quarter. There is no cap on the number of eligible trainees/ apprentices. https://www.dese.gov.au/boosting-apprenticeship-commencements |
Wage subsidy | Employers |
| Transition to work |
Inner Melbourne VET Cluster Job Prospects |
Federal Government Department of Education Skills & Employment (DESE) |
Transition to Work (TtW) supports young people aged 15-24 on their journey to employment. The service provides intensive, pre-employment support to improve the work-readiness of young people and help them in work (including apprenticeships and traineeships) or education. To achieve this, providers will help young people: – Develop practical skills to get a job, – Connect with education or training, – Find and complete work experience placements, – Find job opportunities in the local area, – Connect with relevant local community services. Participants may be referred to TtW by Centrelink when registering for income support, or via referral from a Jobactive provider for an existing participant. TtW providers can also directly register participants from the community who are not otherwise engaged with employment services. Employers may be eligible for a Youth Bonus wage subsidy up to $10,000 when they hire a TtW Participant. https://www.employment.gov.au/transition-work |
Employment Service | Employers Job Seekers |
| Jobs Hub | Nil | Federal Government Department of Education Skills and Employment (DESE) |
The Jobs Hub is supporting job seekers and employers to connect in a rapidly changing job market. It is a website that allows people to find employers hiring as well as a range of useful websites and information to help people get a job. Jobs Hub – Department of Education, Skills and Employment, Australian Government (dese.gov.au) |
Jobs Board | Employers Job Seekers |
| Australian JobSearch | Nil | Federal Government | The Australian JobSearch website provides a no-cost platform for employers to advertise vacancies. Employment Service Providers can also utilise the platform to advertise employer vacancies that can be accessed for job seeker referrals by other providers. Job seekers can also link their MyGov accounts with the platform to create career profiles and upload resumes viewable by prospective employers. Additionally, the website includes a range of career planning resources and links together with tips and techniques on job searches, applications and interviews. |
Jobs Board | Employers Job Seekers |
| Wage Subsidies | Employment Service Providers | Federal Government | Wage subsidies up to $10,000 (GST inclusive) may be available to Australian businesses hiring employment services participants in ongoing jobs. Employment services providers determine if a wage subsidy is offered and will enter into an agreement with the employer to make payments over six months. A range of eligibility conditions apply. Employment services are best placed to assess the needs of Participants and Employers and provide advice on how to access wage subsidies. https://www.employment.gov.au/wage-subsidies |
Wage subsidy | Employer |
| JobMaker Hiring Credits | Nil | Federal Government Australian Tax Office (ATO) |
On 6 October 2020 as part of the 2020–21 Budget, the government announced a new incentive for businesses to employ additional young job seekers called the JobMaker Hiring Credit. Eligible employers can access the JobMaker Hiring Credit for each new job they create over the 12 months from 7 October 2020, for which they hire an eligible employee, for a maximum claim period of 12 months from their employment start date. Employers can claim payments from us in arrears since 1 February 2021. The JobMaker Hiring Credit is • $200 per week for each eligible employee aged 16 to 29. • $100 per week for each eligible employee aged 30 to 35. JobMaker Hiring Credit | Australian Taxation Office (ato.gov.au) | Wage subsidy | Employer |
| Job Trainer | Various Training Providers | Federal Government Department of Education Skills & Employment (DESE) State Government |
The Australian Government is providing free or low-fee training courses across the nation. The Australian Government has partnered with state governments to establish a new $1 billion JobTrainer Fund. The JobTrainer Fund will provide up to 340,700 additional training places that are free or low fee, in areas of identified skills need such as health, aged and disability care, IT and trades for job seekers and young people, including school leavers. JobTrainer funding is available for accredited diplomas, certificates or short courses, based on a list agreed between the National Skills Commission and the state and territory governments. Courses for Victoria are expected to be made available in early 2021. https://www.dese.gov.au/jobtrainer |
Training | Job Seekers Employers |
| New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) | APM Box Hill Institute Sarina Russo |
Federal | People interested in starting their own business or existing micro-business owners who need help to refocus their business during COVID-19 may be eligible for New Business Assistance with NEIS. New Business Assistance with NEIS can help by providing: – Accredited small business training – Personalised mentoring and support from a NEIS provider – NEIS Allowance for up to 39 weeks and NEIS Rental Assistance for up to 26 weeks (if eligible). https://www.employment.gov.au/self-employment-new-business-assistance-neis |
Employment Service Wage Subsidy |
Jobseekers desiring to start a new business |
Please talk to your employment services provider to check eligibility.
Please talk to the National Customer Service Line to check eligibility for mature age people volunteering into employment services.
You can find an employment service provider: jobsearch.gov.au/service-providers
You can also call the Jobseeker Hotline on 136268
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