The Victorian Government has announced an expanded wage subsidy scheme to help single parents get back to work and provide for their families, designed to address workforce shortages across Victoria.
Through the Jobs Victoria Fund wage subsidy scheme, eligible businesses can receive up to $20,000 if they hire an unemployed or underemployed single parent.
There are more than 250,000 single parents in Victoria – around 80 percent of those are women, often who face more challenges like caregiving and maternal responsibilities when heading back to work or increasing their hours.
The Jobs Victoria Fund wage subsidy scheme has helped create almost 4,000 jobs for people disadvantaged by the pandemic and looking for work, targeting women over 45, young people under 25, Aboriginal Victorians, people with disability, long-term unemployed, and veterans. More than 62 percent of these jobs have been taken up by women.
The Fund is available to support eligible businesses with an annual payroll of under $40 million that are offering secure full-time or part-time roles. Positions must run for at least 12 months and pay fair wages at or above the award or site rate.
Other Jobs Victoria services include a 600-person-strong workforce of advocates, mentors, and career counsellors who have helped over 7,000 people with personalised support to help them access opportunities, get back on their feet, and into work.
Employers interested in accessing support through the wage subsidy scheme and people looking for work can register on the Jobs Victoria Online Hub or call the Jobs Victoria Hotline on 1300 208 575. Information on other employment support services is also available at jobs.vic.gov.au.
