Government assistance is available to help job seekers find the right job, and to help employers find the right workers. The information below is summary in nature and does not fully explain the large number of policies, programs and incentives available. More information is can be found on the Department of Education, Skills and Employment website dese.gov.au or you can call the National Customer Service Line on 1800 805 260.

jobactive

jobactive is the Australian Government’s way to get 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 assist job seekers to get and keep a job, and offer employers an end-to-end tailored recruitment service to find and hire staff. The jobactive website can help job seekers to find and apply for jobs, keep track of job searches, create a personal profile and get job alerts. Employers who hire an eligible job seeker could be eligible to receive a wage subsidy.

A jobactive provider can help job seekers to

• write a résumé
• look for work
• prepare for interviews
• get the skills that local employers need
• find and keep a job
• connect job seekers to a range of government initiatives.

A jobactive provider can help employers to

• screen and shortlist applicants
• find candidates for their business
• assist new employees after they start work
• access wage subsidies if they hire an eligible employee.

The jobactive website can help job seekers and employers find out more about jobactive and to find local providers. Job seekers can also call the Job Seeker Hotline on 1800 805 260, and employers can call the Employer Hotline on 13 17 15.

The jobactive program will be replaced by the New Employment Services Model in 2022.

Youth Jobs PaTH

An Australian Government program that supports young people to gain the work experience and skills they need to get and keep a job. Through Youth Jobs PaTH, young jobs seekers can undertake practical face-to-face training, tailored to their needs, to improve job preparation skills.

Job seekers can undertake an internship placement with a business looking for new staff. This allows employers to trial a young person in their business for 4-12 weeks, for up to 25 hours a week, where there is a reasonable prospect of employment at the end of the trial. If the trial results in employment, the employer may be eligible to receive a wage subsidy. Youth Jobs PaTH has 3 steps: Prepare – Trial – Hire.

Transition to Work

Supports young people (aged 15-24) on their journey to employment. Transition to Work helps workers get job-ready with intensive pre-employment support and helps them set and achieve employment and education goals.

Transition to Work providers work with employers to find and hire a young person suited to their organisation. Support can include a trial placement before starting the job. If the placement is a good fit and the young person is hired, the employer may be eligible to receive a wage subsidy.

New Business Assistance with NEIS

New Business Assistance with NEIS is for individuals who are interested in starting a business or who need help to refocus an existing micro-business impacted by COVID-19. The program provides accredited business training, assistance to develop a business plan and mentoring and advice in the first year of a new business. Since the program was introduced in 1985, it has helped more than 185,000 people start their own business. New Business Assistance with NEIS is delivered by a national network of NEIS providers. You can find your nearest NEIS provider at the website above.

Disability Employment Services

For job seekers with a disability, injury or health condition who need help to find or keep a job, Disability Employment Services can help. The JobAccess website also has comprehensive information to help job seekers understand their rights and responsibilities, find financial support for workplace modifications and help to find and keep a job.

A Disability Employment Services provider can help employers to hire someone with a disability. They will also provide:

• Support to access financial assistance in the form of a wage subsidy to help with the costs of work-related modifications and services.
• Post-placement support while the new employee settles in.

Community Development Program

The Community Development Program can help job seekers in remote areas of Australia improve workplace skills and employability. The support is tailored to the workforce needs of the area and helps contribute to the local community.

For businesses based in remote areas, the Community Development Program can offer financial incentives to manage the costs of employing remote job seekers. The program is designed around the unique social and labour market conditions found in remote Australia.

The Government will introduce a new remote jobs program in 2023, replacing the Community Development Program. This new program will be developed in partnership with communities and will complement the broader New Employment Services Model being rolled out in the latter half of 2022.

Australian Apprenticeships

The Australian Apprenticeships website provides information on apprenticeships and traineeships, including factsheets and links. An Australian Apprenticeship offers job seekers the opportunity to explore a new job, gain new skills, work flexible hours and receive a qualification. Eligible employers can receive financial incentives to help take on an apprentice, particularly if the apprenticeship is in a trade experiencing a skill shortage.