Incentives for hiring and retaining eligible individuals.
Wage subsidies may be available to businesses that hire eligible individuals into ongoing jobs. Wage subsidies can be up to a maximum of
$10,000.
If you fill an ongoing position with the help of:
- Workforce Australia
- Workforce Australia – Transition to Work, or a
- ParentsNext provider
the provider may offer you a wage subsidy.
The wage subsidy is to help with some of the initial costs of hiring the new employee to help ensure the success of their employment.
Whether the individual is eligible will depend on how long they have been participating in employment services.
Eligibility
To be eligible to access a wage subsidy, an organisation must:
- have a valid Australian Business Number and
- have an account registered with Workforce Australia Online for Businesses.
Wage subsidies are for new and ongoing employment positions. They can be for full-time, part-time, casual, or even a traineeship or apprenticeship positions.
It’s important to note that you can’t access a wage subsidy if you are getting other government funding for the same position. The wage subsidy cannot be for a family member, and it must not be a commission-based, self-employment or subcontracted position.
If you are eligible, the provider will work with you to determine whether a wage subsidy is the best type of assistance. Other forms of assistance may also be a good fit, and the provider will be able to suggest the best option to suit both you and your new employee.
Contact a provider to get more information on eligibility and how wage subsidies can be tailored to suit your business.
Benefits
Workforce Australia’s wage subsidies offer financial assistance to support your new employee to settle into their new role.
Wage subsidies can help you to build your business and give you greater flexibility in your hiring options.
How to access a wage subsidy
To access a wage subsidy, you will need to enter into a wage subsidy agreement with the provider.
You will need to sign in, or set up, a Workforce Australia Online for Business account to approve your wage subsidy agreement, update your details and manage wage subsidy payments online.
You must finalise your wage subsidy agreement online within 28 days of the new employee’s start date to be eligible for payment.
For more information on the process for managing wage subsidies, read the user guide.
Related information
If you employ an Australian apprentice, you may be able to get financial assistance to help you hire, train and retain them.
Go to Australian Apprenticeship Incentives System to read more.
Source: Wage subsidies (workforceaustralia.gov.au)
