The Victorian Government has boosted the 
Back to Work Scheme to assist Victorian job seekers and employers looking to hire new staff
From 1 November 2015, employers will receive a significant increase in government funding of up to $12000 when they hire long term unemployed workers (now 26 weeks unemployed, reduced from 52 weeks), and up to $5000 for retrenched workers, out-of-trade apprentices, and young people aged between 15 and 25 who have been unemployed for three months or more.
The eligibility criteria for the scheme has been expanded to include new apprentices and trainees as well as unemployed people who are disability and sole parent pensioners, members of drought affected farm households, people who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, refugees, social housing residents and young people in or exiting out-of-home care or who are a current or recent youth justice client.
Employers are able to elect to have this funding redirected, for example, to services supporting disadvantaged job seekers with placement and employability skills support. Up to $4000 for training will also be provided to employers who provide accredited training to a new employee. This will be on top of any other payment received.
More details of the scheme can be found on the notice in the Victoria Government Gazette
- What are the key changes to the Back to Work Scheme?
- What are the changes to the payment amounts?
- What additional payments will be provided for accredited training?
- What additional groups of employees will attract the payments?
- What other changes are being made?
- Are there any changes to the process to make a claim?
- When do the changes to the scheme commence?
- Where do I get more information?
