Employer wage subsidy

If a job seeker is unable to secure employment after six months of Work for the Dole and Newstart or Youth Allowance (Other), a wage subsidy may become available to an employer for six months.

Other assistance

Rather than continue looking for work, job seekers can elect to undertake training or study which may make them eligible for student benefits.

Restart

To help overcome discrimination against older unemployed Australians, the Government is strengthening incentives for them to re-enter the workforce.

The Government will introduce a new wage subsidy, Restart, to encourage businesses to employ Australians who are aged 50 and over and have been on income support for at least six months.

From 1 July 2014, employers who hire an eligible mature‑aged job seeker, on a full-time basis, will be paid a subsidy of $10,000 over 24 months. Employers that hire mature‑aged job seekers on a part‑time basis (12‑29 hours per week) will be eligible for a pro‑rated subsidy based on actual hours worked.

32,000 mature‑aged job seekers are expected to benefit from Restart annually.

Paid Parental Leave

From 1 July 2015 the Government will introduce a genuine Paid Parental Leave scheme with an income cap of $100,000 per annum, which will include superannuation.

It will support mothers to remain engaged with their employer and help address the disparity between the average retirement incomes of men and women.