Businesses in the Dandenong Ranges are urged to investigate their eligibility for wage subsidy payments of up to $20,000 per worker to take on people who have been most affected by the pandemic.
The State Government recently opened employer applications for $250 million Jobs Victoria Fund on Friday 26 March.
Victorian small and medium-sized businesses, sole traders, local councils, social enterprises, universities and not-for-profits are invited to apply for a share of the wage subsidies pool.
The Fund will help Victorian businesses and organisations to rebuild and grow by providing a wage subsidy of up to $20,000 per eligible employee to meet the costs of taking on new workers for the first 12 months of their employment.
Women’s employment has been disproportionately affected by the pandemic and $150 million of the Fund is dedicated to supporting women back into work, including $50 million supporting women over the age of 45.
The Fund also focuses on people looking for work who are young, those who have been unemployed for six months or more, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, refugees and asylum seekers, and people living with a disability.
Member for Monbulk James Merlino said these subsidies could be the difference between a business being able to put on a worker or falling just short.
“I urge business owners and managers to get online or pick up the phone and find out what support is available,” he said.
Minister for Employment Jaala Pulford said “wage subsidies will help thousands of women, and older women especially, get back on their feet and into jobs. Other priority groups like young people and the long-term unemployed will also be a focus.
Employers looking for more information on the Jobs Victoria Fund can call the Jobs Victoria hotline on 1300 208 575.
They can also register on the Jobs Victoria online hub to post jobs and recruit skilled and qualified people looking for work in their local area. For more information, eligibility criteria, or to apply for the Jobs Victoria Fund, go to jobs.vic.gov.au/fund.
