Back to Work regional jobs package a hit with Cairns employers

Employment Minister Grace Grace today met with the owner and staff of Edge Hill business Living Colour of the Tropics, one of the first businesses in Far North Queensland to apply for an employer support payment through the Queensland Government’s Back to Work scheme.

“This is quite a new business that now has extra pair of hands, which is crucial at this early stage,” she said.

“The owner successfully applied for an employer support payment and this has given her that extra bit of confidence to take on a part-time worker.

“The new employee is also a young mum, so the position gives her the work-life balance she needs.”

Ms Grace said the $100 million Back to Work regional jobs package aims to support up to 8,000 jobs over two years.

“It specifically targets jobseekers and employers outside the southeast corner and includes payments of $10,000 for employers who hire an unemployed worker, rising to $15,000 for the long-term unemployed,” she said.

“In the first month since eligible applications opened, Back to Work has already delivered for regional Queensland jobseekers and employers.

“Back to Work has given 35 regional employers the confidence to take on 48 jobseekers, including 28 long-term unemployed who have been out of work for 12 months or more.

“There are a further 42 employer support applications pending and we hope to see many more in coming weeks.”

To be eligible, employees need to have started work on, or after Friday 1 July 2016, and have been employed for at least four weeks. 

“This is a positive initiative which has been welcomed by regional employers who believe it will deliver a real boost to local economies,” Ms Grace said. 

"I want to encourage local employers to take advantage of our Back to Work initiative by hiring a jobseeker.”

Back to Work Teams are working across regional Queensland to help connect employers and jobseekers. For more information on Back to Work, visit www.qld.gov.au/backtowork, or call 13 QGOV (13 74 68)

Media contact: Martin Philip 0427 919 548