Back to Work a hit with Far North Queensland employers

Employers in the Far North are getting behind the Palaszczuk Government’s $100 million Back to Work regional jobs package.

Treasurer Curtis Pitt, Employment Minister Grace Grace and Member for Barron River Craig Crawford today visited Koppen Construction in Cairns, a local business hiring workers under the Back to Work initiative.

Mr Pitt said 20 per cent of the 130 jobseekers hired so far under the scheme covering eight Queensland regions were from the Far North.

“At least 26 jobseekers in the Far North are now back at work thanks to our regional jobs package,” he said.

“This is a two-year $100 million initiative that’s giving local employers the confidence to hire, with almost half of those employed being long-term unemployed people.

 We have a Back to Work team on the ground in the Far North, connecting employers with jobseekers – if you’re thinking of hiring, get in touch with them.”

Ms Grace said unemployment remained a challenge in the Far North.

“That’s why we’re providing support payments of $10,000, rising to $15,000 for the long-term unemployed, for employers who hire a jobseeker,” she said.

“We’re very encouraged by the uptake for this program since applications opened on July 29, and we hope to see many more employers in the Far North getting on board with Back to Work.”

Mr Crawford said there was strong interest from local employers in the Back to Work program.

“Local employers that are thinking of hiring a worker often need that extra bit of confidence to take someone on board,” he said.

“That’s exactly what Back to Work does – it gives employers the confidence to give a jobseeker a chance.

“That’s good for workers, employers and it’s good for the local economy.”

Back to Work:

• Provides employer support payments for eligible employers who hire an unemployed worker
• $10,000 for an unemployed worker
• $15,000 for a long tern unemployed worker (out of work for 12 months or more)
• To be eligible for an employer support payment, employees need to have started work on, or after Friday 1 July 2016, and have been employed for at least four weeks. 
• Eligibility criteria apply and payments will be paid to businesses in two parts.
• The first payment is made after one month, and the balance at the end of the employee’s first year with the business.

Businesses can visit www.qld.gov.au/backtowork or call 13 QGOV (13 74 68) for more information about Back to Work, or to apply for an employer support payment.

Media Contact: Martin Philip 0427 919 548