Employing an Indigenous person? Incentives and assistance available
To encourage employment and training of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people a number of incentives and subsidies are available to employers.
The Indigenous Workstars team will be more than happy to assist with applications or advice with any of the incentive and assistance schemes outlined here.
Indigenous Wage Subsidy
Straightforward and available to most employers the Indigenous Wage Subsidy is a payment of $6600 over the first 26 weeks of employment for full-time employment or $3300 for part-time employment of at least 15 hours per week (conditions apply, see Employees Plus flyer).
Career Development Assistance
Additional to the Indigenous Wage Subsidy is Career Development Assistance which enables employers who have claimed the Indigenous Wage Subsidy to claim a reimbursement of up to $550 for qualifications commenced, or tickets or licences completed, within the first 26 weeks of employment (conditions apply, see Employees Plus flyer).
Employment Services Wage Subsidies
In addition to the Indigenous Wage Subsidy, many Job Services Australia (JSA) providers offer wage subsidies to employers to employ disadvantaged Indigenous jobseekers. The amounts vary from provider to provider and depending on the jobseeker's circumstances, but contractually cannot exceed 80% of the employee's (more information, see Employees Plus flyer).
First Start Program
Not-for-profit organisations may be eligible to apply to the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) for funding of up to $19,000 to employ an Indigenous trainee for up to 12 months under the First Start Program (conditions apply, see Employees Plus flyer).
Australian Apprenticeships Incentive Scheme
Any employer, regardless of wage subsidies received, who decides to employ an apprentice or trainee may be eligible for additional government incentives. Your local Apprenticeships Centre will be able to advise further on specific incentives available for an apprentice or trainee (conditions apply, see Employees Plus flyer).
