545 Far North Queenslanders helped Back to Work

The Palaszczuk Government’s $100 million Back to Work regional jobs program has helped 545 Far North Queensland jobseekers back into employment, Treasurer and Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt said. 

“To date the Back to Work program has supported 258 Far North Queensland employers to hire 545 local jobseekers,” Mr Pitt said. 

“Local employers have so far received almost $2.5 million in support payments — money they can use to help grow their business.” 

Member for Barron River Craig Crawford said the $20,000 Back to Work Youth Boost was already a great success, with 179 locals aged 15-24 now in jobs. 

“We’ve extended the $20,000 Youth Boost to 31 October 2017, and I want to encourage regional employers to take advantage of this great initiative.” 

Employment Minister Grace Grace said the Back to Work program has supported 1,090 employers to hire 2,323 workers in regional Queensland. 

“There are a further 807 applications pending approval,” she said. 

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 term unemployed worker (out of work for 12 months or more)
• $20,000 for hiring a young jobseeker aged 15-24 (from 1 December 2016 to 31 October 2017)

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.

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